Happy Holidays!  This is Joe Paniccia writing.  I'm a DenverTrailRunners regular and a moderator of the DTR yahoo group.  I'd like to tell you about an item of interest to trail runners, mountain bikers, hikers, equestrians, dog walkers, and other lovers of open space trails in the metro Denver foothills. 

 

This month Lakewood residents will vote (via mail-in ballot) in a special election that will determine the future of a key open space trail corridor between Green Mountain Park and Bear Creek Lake Park.  I'm strongly in favor of the measure, known as Ref #1, which authorizes a land swap to preserve the corridor of existing singletrack and doubletrack trails linking the parks.

 

Since the DTR yahoo group is not open to un-moderated posts, fairness dictates that we present both sides of the issue.  Below you'll see the text of a message sent to DTR moderators by a DTR member opposing the measure, followed by my comments in favor of the measure.  If you're a Lakewood resident, please read on, and please vote by sending in your ballot.  It must arrive at the City Clerk's office by January 2nd. 

 

First, some very brief background:

 

A portion of the Rooney Valley is about to be developed.  That's the large open area between Green Mountain and Bear Creek Lake Park.  A significant portion of the Rooney Valley is owned by a developer who now has the necessary approvals to build, after many years of debate.  This month's election has no bearing on that decision.  The development is already underway.  Instead, the election will determine whether that development will preserve or eliminate the open space corridor that links the parks.  A vote FOR the measure will approve the land swap, and thus preserve the open space trail corridor.  A vote AGAINST the measure will deny the swap, and thus eliminate the corridor and its trails. 

 

Comments AGAINST the measure, from DTR member Jacqueline Hagan: 

 

A parcel of land, which was donated 30 years ago, just south of green mountain, known as forsberg park; which has been an open green space for all lovers of our green space, is up for election, due to a developer being heavily involved with the housing development/owners directly east of them; they are seeking to "swap" the land at forsberg, for a "buffer" between them and the new development; hence, taking away green space, that was dully donated as such to keep as such.  This does indeed affect all of the trail runners in this city for it will take an existing parkland, for development purposes, and they are not stopping there.  In case you are not aware of this fact, this developer, is placing a water tank on the south side of green mountain!!!  This is just beginning; for if this city is allowed to take the land away as open green space, green mountain is next; and all lakewood city open green space is open for swaps/and removal of green open space for development/revenue purposes.  This will set a precedent that will not fair well for future open green space property; hence, affecting all trail runners, hikers, bicyclists, etc...  Please let me know your thoughts on how to relay this information to the trailrunners within this group...they can easily access the web site lakewoodvoter.org  to find out more information.  thank you for your time!!

-- Jacqueline Hagan

 

Comments FOR the measure, from DTR member Joe Paniccia:

 

The proposed land swap will be a huge win for trail runners, mountain bikers, and all lovers of open space.  Here's why:

 

-- In the city's swap with the developer, the City of Lakewood will give up only 22 of the 168 acres of Forsberg/Iron Springs Park, which is on the south side of Alameda Parkway.  In return, Lakewood gets 22 acres to serve as a trail corridor adjacent to those very same parks.  Those acres already contain heavily-used singletrack and doubletrack trails that link 5 key parks - Green Mountain, Forsberg, Iron Springs, Coyote Gulch, and Bear Creek Lake Park.  Without this land swap, there will be an unbroken sea of homes, with no corridor, and no trail linking the parks. 

-- A vote FOR the measure will give open space lovers the best possible solution.  Not only will we keep the vast majority of Forsberg/Iron Springs as open space, but we also gain the open space corridor to link all the parks by trail.  A vote against the measure will leave us with only Forsberg/Iron Springs Park, which will become completely boxed in by homes and Alameda Pkwy, and have no linkage with the parks to the south.  A vote FOR the measure will preserve the vast majority of Forsberg/Iron Springs, AND link all of the parks.   

-- Opponents of the measure refer to the corridor as a ditch.  This is simply not true.  While a natural ravine exists there, it encompasses only 3 of the 22 acres.  Instead of detracting from the land, that feature actually enhances it by providing a rugged variation of terrain adjacent to a brief segment of the main trail thru the corridor.  I live near and use the corridor heavily, and I've also used the parcel being swapped out.  As I weigh the areas being swapped, it's clear to me the swap favors the residents of Lakewood, especially trail users.  I do believe the developer gains also, but this simply makes it a win-win.     

-- For more information, please visit www.voteforopenspace.org.  Voter turnout is typically very low in special elections, so it's likely this issue will be decided by a small number of voters.  When you receive your ballot in the mail, please take a few minutes and vote FOR Ref #1, which will preserve the open space corridor linking 5 of Lakewood's parks for all trail users. 

 

Thanks.  --  Joe Paniccia

 

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