Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2021 10 21

Home Browse Search

from their homes due to a lack of sidewalks or crosswalks along roads and having to drive the whole family to a trail can be a time-consuming deterrent. Additionally, the Promotores noted that walking trails with children or older family members, they would appreciate more amenities such as benches, picnic tables, or places to sit near the water. In addition to these suggestions, the Promotores displayed heartening excitement to be able to walk a trail and talk to their children about local agriculture. Many Latinx community members grew up on farms and ranches and would love to walk a trail that included interpretive information about the Mayhoffer Farm. Additional community engagement during the public comment period (9/27-11/3) has included a public comment form available on the project webpage and a virtual public open house on Oct. 5, 2021. During this open house, members of the public showed unanimous appreciation for the effort to extend a trail through the Mayhoffer Farm property. There were questions presented about each option as well as the considerations for native wildlife habitat preservation along Coal Creek. A full transcript of comments received through the public comment form and during the open house can be found in the Appendix at the end of this memo as well as on the project webpage (boco.org/Mayhoffer). Another innovation brought by the MENV team is the interactive Story Map. The Story Map provides an engaging and interactive alternative to communicate the highlights of the management plan. This was a novel effort to increase access for all community members, as reading a 100-page document can be a barrier for comprehension and involvement. This tool, available on the project webpage, provides a more user-friendly and engaging interface to communicate all the information present in the management plan. The Story Map was highlighted during our public Open House to encourage engagement during the public comment period. The student team looks forward to addressing questions and concerns from members of POSAC, LOSAC and LOSAB as well as community members during this meeting. The meeting will be simultaneously interpreted into Spanish. POSAC Action Requested Recommendation to the Boulder County Commissioners for approval of the Mayhoffer Farm management plan, as described above and as further described by students and staff at the POSAC meeting. Suggested motion language: I move to recommend that the Board of Commissioners approve of the Mayhoffer Farm management plan project as described and presented by the CU MENV student team. 5