Nederland Trails Master Plan

Bridget Fearing

2/3/2005 - Monday night January 31st a couple dozen hardy folks braved the cold and
the snowy roads to talk about Nederland area trails.
  The first of two public workshops was held to discuss the planning process for the Nederland Trails Master Plan. This effort is kicking off now after the Nederland Board of Trustees contracted with ERO Resources and the Architerra Group - experts in natural resource management and trails planning.
  With the help of ERO, Architerra, and a project manager from Peak to Peak Healthy Communities Project, the Open Space Advisory Board (which also oversees Nederland area parks and outdoor recreation facilities) is working to make the dream of a planned, interconnected system of trails into reality. Community input is important throughout the process.
  Trails are a high priority on the community's wish list - as identified in surveys as part of the 2001 report "Town of Nederland and Surrounding Areas Open Space, Trails, Parks and Outdoor Recreation Master Plan". That report included a high-level/conceptual view of trail linkages people would like to see.
  The Peak to Peak Healthy Communities Project sought funding to take the trails piece to the next level - creating an actual trails master plan. With funding and Town Board approval and support, the project is now moving forward.
  The public workshop Monday night was a forum for people to review maps of existing trails and destinations within Nederland, review the planning process, and discuss concerns, goals and objectives for the proposed Trails Master Plan. Monday night's public input will serve as the basis for the next step in the process: a proposed trail alignment plan.
  A second public workshop will be held in late March. There, discussion will center around the draft proposed trail alignment plan. The plan will include recommended locations for trails, trailheads, rest areas, underpasses, and interpretive signage. Trail recommendations will also
include appropriate trail uses.
  Ultimately, the consultant team will prepare a final proposed trail alignment plan based on Advisory Board and public input. Preliminary trail cost estimates and design guidelines will be included. The consultant team will recommend a prioritized phasing plan and funding strategy to assist the Advisory Board in implementing the trail master plan.
  If you're interested in the Nederland Trails Master Plan process, please plan to attend the next workshop. For more information, contact Bridget Fearing, project manager, at info@pphcp.org or 303-258-7119.