The reopening of Sky Mountain Park to recreational use on Sunday, May 16 will coincide with the launch of a public survey to solicit feedback about the popular open space.
It has been 10 years since the heart of the Park debuted to public use, giving visitors their first access to the scenic ridge separating the Brush Creek and Owl Creek valleys. The Park’s interconnected system of singletrack trails, spread out over a collection of open space parcels that was some 20 years in the making, has become one of the most heavily used recreation destinations in Aspen-Snowmass.
This year, Pitkin County Open Space and Trails will update the Park’s management plan, adopted in 2012. The survey, to be accessible on the Sky Mountain Park page at www.pitkinOSTprojects.com starting May 16, will help gauge public sentiment regarding the Park as it exists today and ask users what they would like to see going forward. The survey will be open through June 16.
Open Space and Trails staffers will be on hand at Park trailheads on Sunday, weather permitting, to hand out fliers and encourage Park users to complete the survey. Rangers on the trails will do the same.
“The 2012 management plan for the Park set a lot of goals for wildlife protection, habitat improvement and trail development. Now, it’s time to review all that has been accomplished and look toward the next 10 years of Park management,” said Jessie Young, planning and outreach manager for Open Space and Trails.
The Park encompasses roughly 2,400 acres adjacent to Snowmass Village and along the Brush Creek corridor. Much of it closes annually from Dec. 1 through May 15 for the protection of wildlife. Open Space and Trails encourages users to stay out of closed areas of the Park until trails reopen on May 16, to avoid riding or hiking when trails are muddy, and to take part in the upcoming survey.
Contact: Carly Klein, Open Space and Trails senior planner | carly.klein@pitkincounty.com | 970-920-5224