Boulder Reservoir Master Plan

Boulder Reservoir Master Plan Public Meeting - July 13, 2009 Comments What benefits does the Boulder Reservoir area provide to the community? What works well?  Only place in the county where the public can boat/swim  Great family place. Not the “kinetics” the media makes it out to be each day  Large outdoor group venue (small parties too)  Natural swimming area close by  Educational (aquatic/plant life/water sports/ animals –osprey)  Year-round resource. Gates open for runners  Events bring character to Boulder Reservoir  Provides water resource to community  Promotes beauty of Boulder (view)  Ability to provide people with disabilities access to water sports/volunteerism and community together  Diversity of users works well  Mutual respect from user groups. Despite individual differences and opposing needs  Social gathering place  Close proximity for Boulder community  Reservable spaces with different amenities available  Accessibility (early morning, daily, etc)  Staff attempts to work with all different user groups --“juggling”  Quality and availability of services  Seems to be working well financially  Boating, dogs, kayak turn to natural “lake”  Irrigation (dry creek ditch)  Proximity to residents  Drinking water, kayak, balances (and conflict)  Events  Event revenue, bike, kayak, community resource  Local venue –that accommodates multiple uses–high value  Multi-resource  Swim –outside/outdoor “open space water”  Everything, Boating, Kayak, Dog , wildlife  Boating (motorized and non-motorized)  Swimming  Beach  Income for the Boulder Reservoir  Drinking water 1                                           Jobs Walking (North Shore) Wildlife Habitat Model Airplane Airport (seaplanes on Boulder Reservoir.) Biking Quiet time Fishing Different recreation (age groups, people, coast, beach) Staff works well with financial aspect Water activities (unique to Boulder area) Special events (Room for all different interest groups –small/large) Open water swimming Summer camps Rowing Boating (power/sail) Fundraising venues Belongs to everyone Stress reduction Multiple recreation activities “in harmony” at same time Access to public (proximity) Diversity of activities Quality and clean Multiuse facilities (staff flexible and number of activities) Respect for wildlife (fishing, birds, etc) Likes Coot Lake for dogs Clean swim beach Education –especially wildlife (sail, classes) International runners Tourism Responsible users Annual pass brings stewardship and safety –people know area Nearby boating (lower carbon footprint) Wildlife, natural areas, festivals and events (sporting, music) ranger tours Year-round access to trails Being able to access area via foot, bike Thoroughfare –access from Valhalla to Diagonal for alternative commuters (better if didn‟t have to pay) Accommodates wildlife, boating, other recreation Family, water-based activities Well-maintained and clean Great venue for general activities Economical and convenient access to location Boating and water activities --all types 2                                      Class and opportunities for Boulder Reservoir. Activities (expand program, camps for kids, rental program) Picnic area with tables Boat house Lake patrol Guards Floating docks in Boulder Reservoir and shore Trailheads Air field Wildlife area (west) Division in the reservoir for boats and jet skis Health benefits (social and community) Proximity for water skiing (local boating) Dog walking Multi-use (kayak, biking, boating, hiking, sailing) Family time/neighborhood/community youth Part of area is free (increases use) Maintain some wild areas/natural Beach Area is safe Blending uses –events with day activities Does not exclude people for financial reasons Beautiful for water-skiing Used by a variety of people for a variety of activities Wind for power boats Brings in revenue for the city Family-oriented recreation Educational multi-use facility Excellent facility and services Diversity of activities Animal friendly at Coot Lake Relaxation Picnicking Year-round opportunities Radio-controlled plane field One of a few venues for triathlons Wildlife Natural beauty What are the current and upcoming challenges that need to be addressed?  Threat to restrict any current use  Keeping/adding hours of access  Traffic mitigation (during events) 3                                      Overall maintenance of the Boulder Reservoir (mowing, basics) would rather pay more to use if challenges accomplished Managing increasing number of users with conflicting interests. When working, remember Boulder City resource. Zebra mussels –boaters need to self-regulate Bike traffic –Bike lane would improve safety Boat parking Number of races, people, Fire Training Center, traffic Number of organizational events (limits?) –“becoming overly civilized” Use/demand increase! – How that impacts future? How to balance increase in demand? Money for police – What type of enforcement is needed? Limiting permits – City decide how to support events – (i.e. security) Methodology of decisions Use of private property (parking, traffic) Lack of respect to residents Using Rez to make money / “outside” uses Event night for residents (Valhalla neighborhood) Turbidity Water quality protection Traffic and volume at the reservoir, 51st St. and Valhalla neighborhood Too many events –needs traffic control and exit (especially 5430 @ exit officers) Prairie dogs and birds encroaching on airport –and relocating them to this property Satisfying many user groups Boulder Reservoir should be self-supporting Designated “space or trail” on North 51st (55th) for bikes and runners (as to not impede with motorists) Decontamination station for aquatic nuisance species (implement one) Controlling access on north shore Monitoring water quality in canal (pesticides entering the Boulder Reservoir) or other sources Noise ordinance enforcement Can‟t lose sight that it is a recreation facility! Keep costs down Too many events –impacts surrounding homes Events almost every week Purpose of Rez (Recreation or Events?) Fire Training Center road access from diagonal Possible other areas for events (keep Rez for water sports) Facilities are breaking down Keeping access open to everyone Keeping public knowledgeable of regulations (staff entrance gate year round, staff enforcement, high hours) 4                                          Equity among similar uses (fees, rules, etc) Balance for profit v. nonprofit Planning cycle alignment with user groups Safety for all users Don‟t exclude those that can‟t afford it (family plan) Restrictions on number times use boat/guests Traffic/safety/impacts to neighbors Transition from old ways to new Keeping public informed Coot Lake has too many dogs and poop – user conflicts and water quality impacts Nudists Quality of experiences for non-motorized boaters is diminished by power boats Revenue –little money to go round Without motorized use -not enough revenue Keep facility in good shape (high quality facility) How to accommodate numbers of users How to maintain safety and not impact neighbors Zebra mussels –how will that impact water quality, fisheries, recreational use Are other methods for ANS prevention effective? Bureaucracy with permits and passes (need to streamline, making rules consistent and understanding the policy –dogs on lake) Traffic on 51st Make access and space more available to non-boaters Consistent procedure for access to Six-mile (level of bureaucracy too high) Need two ANS inspectors –especially on weekends Keep Boulder Reservoir open to power boats Enforce jet ski cove (regulate where jet ski‟s can go) Fees and pass program Balancing uses and traffic (coordinate events and boating) Improve access along 51st --RTD Overuse Possible conflicting uses Restricted use (special events vs boating) Traffic management on-site/offsite Conflicts between “normal” use and special events Facilities degraded quality (bathroom/shower/restaurant) Invasive species (Zebra mussel control on water users  day use boating removed 2009, limited staff, takes too long, no green tags from other lakes) Event noise (horns, megaphones, early am  surrounding neighborhood, wildlife?) Fees –annual vs. day –more restrictions with annual boat pass Skydiving traffic, city should get income for this use Horse use in summer –no dedicated trail Patrols (level of patrol/ how patrolled –bikes vs. ATVs) 5                                             Traffic in and out and parking –events, fire training ingress/egress Balancing uses with increasing use and people Allowing safe bike commute route without a fee Equal treatment for fees (bikes, runners) Noise (loudspeakers early am/events) Making it affordable Water quality Politics associated with uses v. democratic decisions Too many police Are special events necessary? Traffic No retail Loud speakers Keep it open space Bureaucracy Quarantine for ANS Staff education of rules Cost for ANS inspection part of annual fee and not an add-on Volume of users Safety education Bike access Boat access from Diagonal Keep access to all areas of Rez open to many Noise Overuse Rudeness Communication Safety Water conservation Threat to ban boating Overuse of alcohol Managing that allows continuation of multiuse with increased population Staying affordable Commuter path for bikes Managing without becoming more restrictive Equity for similar users groups Creating fair for profit vs. not for profit guidelines Fee equity between users Updating facilities ANS and use of boats Access Motor vs. non-motor boats Threat to restrict any current use Keep public informed of changes 6 What opportunities are there for improving the services or conditions in the Boulder Reservoir area?  Bulldoze buildings and start over.  Wake reduction –promote multi-use  Improve staff training early season – consistent messages  Increased hours –gates open till sunset year round  Wind sports –not “closed” during high winds - “waivers”  Safety protocol for boat permits -- rules, pattern, safety equipment required when purchasing permit  Efficiency in getting green tags and out  North Shore is wasted space. Make it something  Creating usable shoreline between swim beach and docks  Open Coot Lake again “au naturale‟  Communication to boaters  Get boater input before determining entrance rules with boat passes  Formal response to rumors or press  Checkbox for donation to EXPAND program on permit application  ANS wash station  Make entrance off Diagonal  Multiple access/egress for events  Concentrate on big issues –not imaginary issues (boater conflict doesn‟t exist)  Appropriate use of resources  Boat house (wind, paddle, hand, rowing) infrastructure support (admin etc)  Rentable space  Alumni activities (CU)  Wading  Limit hours of use  Communication (ANS protocol)  Swim beach open „til 8 pm or later (and earlier)  Larger swim area (allow boaters to swim off boats)  Turbidity of water  Determining occupancy of reservoir –people, boats  Mass transit or shuttles for big events  Balance of events/activities  Focus on water-related activities  Afford the balance financially  Other access points to the Rez (not just one access point )  Use other areas of Rez for events (north side)  Boaters should be able to swim from boats  Maintain the “wetland” areas  Improve water quality  Build up areas on North Shore –facilities, B.R. 7                                          More access/trust (more points of entry) Another swim beach Organization –inspections, gate admin. Opportunities to generate money (with external bench marking) Boat house –community and rowers (250 people) with staff Education –more awareness and opportunities Consistency of regulations and realization of needs Traffic and second entrance Safety/health/water quality/ditch/signs (night guards) Monitor of dog regulations More shelters (weather/sun) Facility upgrade –update south shore buildings Hours for different on-water uses Free-fare for commuters traveling from 51st to Diagonal RTD stop, bus/shuttle service More space for non-water recreation (grassy areas, picnic, volleyball) More equity in fees for county residents (Valhalla) Access for people with disabilities to water Procedure for updating pass holders to be updated on changes in rules More equitable use of area (some people don‟t return because entrance fee is not good value) –white sand beach, upgraded locker facility, no power boats Locally owned, higher quality food concession Charge entrance fees year-round, self-service pay station in off season Emails to list serve don‟t always reach everyone Upgrade facilities (food, showers) Staff efficiency/knowledge (training sensitivity and customer service) Appropriate staff level Boater service More picnic tables Access from Diagonal More BBQ pits –free Wider entry road and “friendly” curbs Mussel decontamination sprayers Use of Coot Lake and Tom Watson (need to include in BRMP More classes size currently limited/full often Control parking in neighborhoods (Valhalla, not collecting fee) Considering second or first entrance/exit to diagonal (traffic mitigation, public transport to entrance Current limitations on reserving picnic areas (staff response time) Proper bike lane on 51st St. Improve outhouse facilities –clean more (boat ramp) Note/pass for bike communing through parts (pass through) Staff training and expertise in specific areas 8                      Plan to maintain various types of boating –find way to balance with environmental goals Swim off power boat Updating facilities Monitoring for mussels Events Fire training center entrance off diagonal Maintain communication with all pass holders User education Safety education Bike access Boat access from diagonal Adult or alternative swim beach ( north shore) Access at new point (north shore, east gate for kayaks and canoes) Gates not locked before sunset all year round Mow weeds in user areas Have a pass thru path Highway 119 entrance to reduce traffic on 51st Soften police presence Financial stability Depends on funding available Wake reduction Questions or issues you would like addressed later in the process?  Economics (need positive cash flow)  Water quality vs. recreational use  Multiple access point and how it can impact the Rez  Fee structure based on use type  Communication via e-mail  Fire Training Center entrance off diagonal  Do not increase hours  Dog access  What is the population and revenue contribution for: o Powerboats? o Sail boats? o Kayaks? o Jet ski? o Sailboard?  Important decisions/restrictions be fully disclosed at public meetings for review and even a vote  Traffic of all kinds bleeds into neighborhood  Noise regulation of events  Number of events 9       Noise Appropriateness for concerts Preventing reservoir from becoming source of income Should be self-sustaining, not a fundraiser for other programs Budgets – gate fees, boat fees event fees Motorboat use keep reservoir diverse, keep motor boats 10