3.6 PARKLANDS, OPEN SPACE, AND RECREATION AREAS

Transcription

1 3.6 PARKLANDS, OPEN SPACE, AND RECREATION AREAS Introduction to Analysis Summary of Results Approximately 2.28 acres of parkland, open space, and conservation easements would be acquired as a result of the Preferred Alternative. The area that would be acquired from these resources would not affect the recreational use of the facilities. The Downtown Louisville Station would impact 3.58 acres of the Louisville Sports Center for shared parking. The impact would be concentrated to the existing parking at the complex and would not convert any lands from recreational use. The land would not be acquired by the Regional Transportation District (RTD); however, the parking would be operated under a joint agreement between RTD and local jurisdictions. Construction activities associated with the Preferred Alternative would temporarily impact 12 trail crossings of the proposed alignment and 5.86 acres of parkland. The roadway and transit projects included in the No Action Alternative would likely result in direct, indirect, temporary construction, and cumulative impacts to parklands, open space, and recreation areas. The extent of these impacts will be evaluated in the environmental documents being prepared for these projects Purpose Parklands are important community resources that need to be protected. Because of their importance to community vitality, the impacts on parks and recreational facilities resulting from projects such as the Northwest Rail (NWR) Corridor Project are regulated. 1 A project must strive to avoid impacts to these recreational resources. If any affected parkland has been funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act (LWCF), the property acquired must be replaced in-kind. Open space owned by the City of Boulder may not be converted from city ownership without approval by City Council and the Open Space Board of Trustees Affected Environment Parklands, open space properties, conservation easements, and trail crossings are located on both sides of the rail line throughout the project study area. Conservation easements differ from open space properties in that open space properties are owned by a local jurisdiction, while an easement is typically an agreement between a private landowner and the local jurisdiction to limit development on the property. Public access is generally not permitted to the conservation easement areas. There are over 1,400 existing public parks, open space resources, and conservation easements within the study area, as shown in Figure Of these, 71 are located within 300 feet of the proposed alignment and are summarized, by section, in Table Two of the 71 resources were acquired using LWCF funds and acquisition of these resources would 1 National Environmental Policy Act, Council on Environmental Quality Regulations, Land and Water Conservation Fund Act Section 6 (f) February 2010

2 require replacement in-kind. There are no planned, funded resources located within 300-feet of the proposed alignment Denver Section As shown on Table , one existing park and open space resource is located within 300 feet of the proposed alignment in the Denver Section. LWCF funds were used for a portion of the South Platte River Greenway Trail Adams Section As shown on Table 3.6-1, 10 existing park and open space resources are located within 300 feet of the proposed alignment in the Adams Section. LWCF funds were not used for any of these parks or recreational resources Westminster Section As shown on Table 3.6-1, five existing park and open space resources are located within 300 feet of the proposed alignment in the Westminster Section. A portion of the Big Dry Creek Trail that crosses the proposed alignment was constructed using LWCF funds. LWCF funds were not used for any of the other parks or recreational resources located within 300 feet of the proposed alignment in the Westminster Section Broomfield Section As shown on Table 3.6-1, four existing park and open space resources are located within 300 feet of the proposed alignment in the Broomfield Section. LWCF funds were not used for any of these parks or recreational resources Louisville Section As shown on Table 3.6-1, 12 existing park and open space resources and conservation easements are located within 300 feet of the proposed alignment in the Louisville Section. LWCF funds were not used for any of these park or recreational resources Boulder Section As shown on Table 3.6-1, 26 existing park and open space resources and conservation easements are located within 300 feet of the proposed alignment in the Boulder Section. LWCF funds were not used for any of these parks or recreational resources. February

3 FIGURE PARKS AND OPEN SPACE RESOURCES IN THE PROJECT STUDY AREA Sources: Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) 2006; Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) ; ESRI SDC 2004; Northwest Rail (NWR) Corridor Project Team, February 2010

4 Longmont Section As shown on Table 3.6-1, 13 existing park and open space resources and conservation easements are located within 300 feet of the proposed alignment in the Boulder Section. LWCF funds were not used for any of the park or recreational resources located within 300 feet of the proposed alignment in this section. TABLE PARK AND OPEN SPACE RESOURCES ADJACENT TO THE PROPOSED ALIGNMENT BY SECTION Size in Resource Name Resource Description Acres Ownership Denver Section South Platte River Greenway Trail Crossing 1 Trail NA City and County of Denver Adams Section Little Dry Creek Lake Trails, open space, and fishing 30 Adams County Softball Country Baseball and softball facilities 19 Private Little Dry Creek Trail and Trail Crossing Trail NA City of Westminster Westminster Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms 52 City of Westminster Bowles House Park Picnic tables 0.2 City of Westminster Fireman s Park Picnic tables and turf field 0.5 City of Westminster Della Villa Park Community gardens 4.4 City of Westminster Wolff Run Park Basketball, tennis, baseball, volleyball, and picnic facilities; lake/ 13 City of Westminster stream; turf field; and playground Wolff Run Trail Crossing Trail NA City of Westminster Sunset Park Picnic tables and playground 1.4 City of Westminster Westminster Section Westminster Open Space Open space, preserve and farms 83 City of Westminster Maulis Park Undeveloped 4.6 City of Westminster Big Dry Creek Trail and Trail 1 Crossing Trail NA City of Westminster Walnut Creek Trail and Trail Crossing Trail NA City of Westminster Sensory Park Handicapped accessible play equipment, pavilion, picnic facilities, 13 City of Westminster trail access Broomfield Section Broomfield Industrial Park Fields, basketball, multi-purpose courts, inline hockey rinks, playground, picnic tables, and shelters Broomfield Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms City and County of Broomfield City and County of Broomfield February

5 TABLE PARK AND OPEN SPACE RESOURCES ADJACENT TO THE PROPOSED ALIGNMENT BY SECTION Size in Resource Name Resource Description Acres Ownership Nickel Street Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms 0.5 City and County of Broomfield Hobo Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms 0.1 City and County of Broomfield Louisville Section Rock Creek Farm 2 Open space, preserve, and farms 685 Boulder County City and County of Broomfield Open Space and Conservation Easement 2 Open space, preserve, and farms 290 Broomfield and Boulder County Lake Link Trail Trail NA City and County of Broomfield Trillium Open Space 2 Open space, preserve, and farms 146 Boulder County and City of Louisville Warembourg Open Space and Conservation Easement 2 Louisville Community Park Open space, preserve, farms, and conservation easements Pavilion with stage and picnic shelter, dog park, basketball, bocce ball, horseshoe pits, dirt bike hill, playground, water sprayground, and picnic facilities 77 City of Louisville 10 City of Louisville Louisville Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms 110 City of Louisville Coal Creek Regional Trail and Trail Crossing Trail NA Boulder County Louisville Sports Complex Ballfields, restrooms, and playground 26 City of Louisville Miners Field Historic park with ball park and restroom 3.4 City of Louisville Harney Lastoka Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms 110 Boulder County Callahan Open Space 2 Open space, preserve, and farms 47 Boulder County Boulder Section Paclamar Farms Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms 96 City of Boulder Anderson Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms 105 City of Boulder Webb Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms 18 City of Boulder Watt Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms 21 City of Boulder Swartz Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms 43 City of Boulder Spicer Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms 45 City of Boulder Autrey Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms 175 City of Boulder Lewis Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms 67 City of Boulder Merle-Smith Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms 25 City of Boulder Legion Park Tribute and trails 23 Boulder County February 2010

6 TABLE PARK AND OPEN SPACE RESOURCES ADJACENT TO THE PROPOSED ALIGNMENT BY SECTION Size in Resource Name Resource Description Acres Ownership South Boulder Creek Trail Crossing Trail NA Boulder County Flatirons Industrial Park Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms 34 City of Boulder Copper Door Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms 1.8 City of Boulder Boulder Creek Trail and Trail Crossing Trail NA Boulder County Cottonwood Grove Open Space 2 Open space, preserve, and farms 29 City of Boulder Boulder Colorado Hospital Conservation Easement 2 Conservation easement, preserve, and farms 27 City of Boulder W. Arnold Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms 4.6 City of Boulder Howard Heuston Park Picnic facilities, dog park, and basketball 8.2 City of Boulder Goose Creek Trail and Trail Crossing Trail NA City of Boulder Reynolds Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms 17 City of Boulder McKenzie Open Space 2 Open space, preserve, and farms 151 City of Boulder McKenzie Open Space/Conservation Easement 2 Conservation easement, preserve, and farms 80 City of Boulder Belgrove Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms 95 City of Boulder Celestial Seasonings Conservation Easement 2 Conservation easement, preserve, and farms 10 City of Boulder The Greens Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms 7.6 City of Boulder IBM Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms 183 City of Boulder Longmont Section Boulder Tech Center Conservation Easement 2 Conservation easement, preserve, and farms 33 Boulder County Niwot Estates Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms 7.1 Boulder County Peppertree Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms 2.3 Boulder County Freedman/Douthit Open Space 2 Open space, preserve, and farms 32 Boulder County Fitzgerald Open Space 2 Open space, preserve, and farms 28 Boulder County Fitzgerald Conservation Easement 2 Conservation easement, preserve, and farms 5.2 Boulder County Nelson (Bert) Buffer Open Space 2 Open space, preserve, and farms 195 Boulder County Bielins/Hock Conservation Easement 2 Conservation easement, preserve, and farms 34 Boulder County Bielins/Hock Open Space 2 Open space, preserve, and farms 6.7 Boulder County Schlauffler Open Space Open space, preserve, and farms 11 Boulder County February

7 TABLE PARK AND OPEN SPACE RESOURCES ADJACENT TO THE PROPOSED ALIGNMENT BY SECTION Size in Resource Name Resource Description Acres Ownership Russell/Anderson/Schmidt Conservation Easement 2 Conservation easement, preserve, and farms 5.4 Boulder County Peck Open Space 2 Open space, preserve, and farms 27 Boulder County St. Vrain Greenway and Trail Crossing Open space and trail crossing 1,582 City of Longmont Sources: Adams County, 2009; Boulder County, 2009a; Boulder County 2009b; City and County of Broomfield, 2009a; City and County of Broomfield, 2009b; City of Boulder, 2009a; City of Boulder 2009b; City of Longmont, 2009a; City of Longmont, 2009b; City of Louisville, 2009a; City of Louisville, 2009b; City of Westminster, 2009a; City of Westminster, 2009b; Northwest Rail Project Team, Notes: 1 Resources funded by LWCF funds 2 Resources where public access is not permitted NA = not applicable Impact Evaluation Methodology Impacts for the Preferred Alternative were determined by overlaying the construction footprint for the project on geographic information system-mapped park resources and calculating the temporary construction and permanent impacts, as well as through field verification. Impacts are broken down into the following categories: 1. NWR Corridor Alignment Impacts that would result from acquisitions for the project north of the South Westminster/71 st Avenue Station to Longmont. 2. Proposed Stations Impacts that would result from the land required for proposed station platforms and associated park-n-rides. Both funded and unfunded stations are included in the impact analysis. Impacts associated with the South Westminster/ 71 st Avenue Station are included in Phase 1, because this station would be constructed as part of Phase Phase 1 Impacts that would result from acquisitions for the project between Denver Union Station (DUS) and the South Westminster/71 st Avenue Station. Phase 1 would be constructed first, as part of RTD s Eagle P3 project Results No Action Alternative The No Action Alternative assumes that existing and committed improvements, as defined in Chapter 2.0, Alternatives Considered, would be implemented by others as planned. Direct, Indirect, Temporary Construction, and Cumulative Impacts The roadway and transit projects included in the No Action Alternative would likely result in direct, indirect, temporary construction impacts, and cumulative impacts to parklands, open space, and recreation areas. The extent of these impacts will be evaluated in the environmental documents being prepared for these projects February 2010

8 Preferred Alternative Direct Impacts Implementation of the Preferred Alternative would result in the acquisition of 2.28 acres of parks, open space, and recreational resources along the proposed alignment (NWR Corridor and Phase 1). Additionally, it would directly impact 3.58 acres (much of which is already parking) at the Louisville Sports Complex, which would share parking with the Downtown Louisville Station. However, no property acquisition would occur from this impact because the parking would be operated under a joint agreement between RTD and the local jurisdictions. Table summarizes the impacts to park resources for the Preferred Alternative. There are no direct impacts to properties acquired using LWCF funds. TABLE DIRECT IMPACTS TO PARKS, OPEN SPACE, AND RECREATION RESOURCES FOR THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE Impact Category Acres Impacted NWR Corridor Alignment 1.68 Proposed Stations Phase Total 5.86 Source: NWR Corridor Project Team, Notes: 1 Alignment impacts from DUS to the South Westminster/71 st Avenue Station and the footprint associated with the South Westminster/71 st Avenue Station are included under Phase 1. 2 Direct impacts at the Downtown Louisville Station do not require acquisition of parkland. NWR Corridor Alignment The NWR Corridor Alignment between the South Westminster/71 st Avenue Station and the Downtown Longmont Station would result in the acquisition of 1.68 acres of parklands. These impacts are detailed by section below. Denver Section Discussion of the Denver Section is included under Phase 1. February

9 Adams Section The portion of the Adams Section from DUS to the South Westminster/71 st Avenue Station (approximately Bradburn Boulevard) is discussed under Phase 1, later in this section. The remainder of the Adams Section, from Bradburn Boulevard north is discussed here. The Preferred Alternative would require the acquisition of 0.01 acre of Wolff Run Park as shown in Figure This impact results from the widening of 76 th Avenue to accommodate Quiet Zone treatments at the crossing of the rail alignment and 76 th Avenue. The impact is located in the southeast corner of the park and would not affect recreational features at the park. FIGURE IMPACTS TO WOLFF RUN PARK Westminster Section The Preferred Alternative would not directly impact parklands in the Westminster Section February 2010

10 Broomfield Section The Preferred Alternative would directly impact 0.02 acre of Hobo Park as a result of the roadway improvements to US Highway 287 and Nickel Street at the rail line (Figure 3.6-3). The park serves as a gateway/pocket park and the impacts from the Preferred Alternative would not affect the nature of the park s use. FIGURE IMPACTS TO HOBO PARK February

11 Louisville Section As shown in Figure 3.6-4, the Preferred Alternative would require the acquisition of 0.29 acre from conservation easements that are located adjacent to the existing rail corridor near the Flatirons Station. This impact is primarily vegetated slopes encroaching into the open space, which is not publicly accessible. These slopes must be acquired for long-term maintenance of the rail alignment. FIGURE IMPACTS TO LOUISVILLE SECTION CONSERVATION EASEMENTS February 2010

12 Approximately 0.44 acre of Trillium Open Space would be acquired as a result of the Preferred Alternative, as shown in Figure This open space is not used for active recreation and public access is not permitted. The land that would be acquired is located adjacent to the existing rail corridor. This impact is primarily vegetated slopes encroaching into the open space. These slopes must be acquired for long-term maintenance of the rail alignment. FIGURE IMPACTS TO TRILLIUM OPEN SPACE February

13 The Preferred Alternative would require the acquisition 0.10 acre of land from the publicly accessible open space located in Louisville near the Coal Creek Regional Trail crossing to allow for the crossing of Coal Creek with the new track. The acquisition, shown in Figure 3.6-6, would not permanently impact the trail in this area. This impact is primarily vegetated slopes encroaching into the open space. These slopes must be acquired for longterm maintenance of the rail alignment. Temporary construction impacts to the trail are discussed later in this section. FIGURE IMPACTS TO LOUISVILLE SECTION OPEN SPACE February 2010

14 Approximately 0.02 acre would be acquired from the Harney Lastoka Open Space to allow for widening to Boulder Road necessary to accommodate crossing of the rail line at Boulder Road. Figure shows the impacts to the open space which would not affect the recreational uses at the park. FIGURE IMPACTS TO HARNEY LASTOKA OPEN SPACE February

15 Boulder Section The Preferred Alternative would impact 0.07 acre of the Autrey and Anderson Open Spaces north of Louisville as shown on Figure These impacts occur from improvements to the access road which crosses the rail line between these two properties. The road improvements are for internal access on the properties and would impact land that is not used for active recreation. FIGURE IMPACTS TO AUTREY AND ANDERSON OPEN SPACES The Preferred Alternative would require the acquisition of 0.07 acre of the McKenzie Open Space and 0.03 acre of the Reynolds Open Space to accommodate for the necessary quiet zone improvements at the rail crossing of Independence Road and Jay Road. Improvements to State Highway (SH) 52 and the rail line would require the acquisition of 0.05 acre from the IBM Open Space. These impacts, shown in Figures 3.6-9, , and would not affect land that is used for active recreation. As noted previously, open space owned by the City of Boulder may not be converted from city ownership without approval by City Council and the Open Space Board of Trustees. If the conversion from City of Boulder park ownership is contested through the petitioning process, then it must be approved by the voters in the City of Boulder. RTD will follow the City of Boulder s procedure during the acquisition of the open space property required for the Preferred Alternative February 2010

16 FIGURE IMPACTS TO REYNOLDS AND MCKENZIE OPEN SPACE AT INDEPENDENCE ROAD FIGURE IMPACTS TO MCKENZIE OPEN SPACE AT JAY ROAD February

17 FIGURE IMPACTS TO IBM OPEN SPACE AT SH 52 Longmont Section Approximately 0.02 acre from the Boulder Tech Center Conservation Easement, 0.02 acre Russell/Anderson/Schmidt Conservation Easement, and 0.17 acre of land from Boulder County open space parcels (Peck and Schlauffler) would be acquired as a result of the Preferred Alternative, as shown in Figures and These impacts are primarily vegetated slopes encroaching into the conservation easement. These slopes must be acquired for long-term maintenance of the rail alignment. The open spaces and conservation easements, located between the City of Boulder and Longmont, are agricultural lands that are adjacent to the existing rail corridor and are not used for active recreation. As noted above, RTD will follow the City of Boulder s procedure during the acquisition of the open space property required for the Preferred Alternative February 2010

18 FIGURE IMPACTS TO THE BOULDER TECH CENTER CONSERVATION EASEMENT FIGURE IMPACTS TO SCHLAUFFLER AND PECK OPEN SPACES February

19 Approximately 0.37 acre would be acquired from the Nelson (Bert) Open Space as shown in Figures and These impacts result from roadway improvements and realignment of an access road at the rail crossing of 83 rd Street and Ogallala Road and would affect land that is not used for active recreation. FIGURE IMPACTS TO NELSON (BERT) OPEN SPACE AT 83 RD STREET February 2010

20 FIGURE IMPACTS TO NELSON (BERT) OPEN SPACE AT OGALLALA ROAD February

21 The Preferred Alternative would not require acquisition of land from the St. Vrain Greenway in Longmont; however, a bridge structure for the new track would be built to the east of the existing track, spanning the greenway and aerially encroaching over the greenway. The encroachment, shown in Figure , would not impact the recreational uses of the St. Vrain Greenway or trail in this area. Temporary construction impacts for the trail crossing are discussed later in this section. FIGURE AERIAL ENCROACHMENT OF THE ST. VRAIN GREENWAY February 2010

22 Proposed Stations As shown in Figure , the Downtown Louisville Station would impact 3.58 acres of parkland at the Louisville Sports Complex to provide parking. The existing parking at the complex would be shared with parking for the station and an additional access point on SH 42. The parking would be constructed in an area already used for parking and would not result in an impact to any of the recreational features of the complex or result in the acquisition of parklands. The RTD will continue ongoing coordination with the City of Louisville, Boulder County, and the City of Lafayette on an operational agreement for this facility. FIGURE IMPACTS TO THE LOUISVILLE SPORTS COMPLEX Phase 1 Implementation of Phase 1 between DUS and the South Westminster/71 st Avenue Station would result in the acquisition of 0.60 acre of parklands. These impacts are detailed by section below. Denver Section The Preferred Alternative would not directly impact parklands in the Denver Section. February

23 Adams Section As shown in Figure , the Preferred Alternative would require the acquisition of 0.01 acre from Little Dry Creek Lake and 0.01 acre from Softball Country. As shown on the figure, the land that would be acquired is located adjacent to the existing rail corridor and 64 th Avenue respectively and would not result in an impact to any recreational features associated with the resource. FIGURE IMPACTS TO LITTLE DRY CREEK LAKE February 2010

24 The Preferred Alternative would require the acquisition 0.37 acre of land from the open space located in Westminster along the Little Dry Creek Trail. The acquisition, shown in Figure , does not impact the trail which is adjacent to the existing track as it crosses under Federal Boulevard. The BNSF Railway Company has discussed the potential need for additional storage track in this area. If this additional storage track is required by the BNSF Railway Company, the track would result in an additional impact of 0.18 acre. FIGURE IMPACTS TO WESTMINSTER OPEN SPACE February

25 As shown in Figure , the Preferred Alternative would result in the acquisition of 0.21 acre of open space located in Westminster along the Little Dry Creek Trail to accommodate the roadway improvements required for Quiet Zone at 72 nd Avenue and the rail line. The Preferred Alternative would not result in an impact to any recreational features associated with the park resources and Little Dry Creek Trail would not be directly affected. FIGURE IMPACTS TO WESTMINSTER OPEN SPACE Indirect Impacts The Preferred Alternative would have no indirect impacts on parks or recreation areas. Temporary Construction Impacts The construction of the Preferred Alternative would require temporary construction staging areas along the proposed alignment. These staging areas would require temporary use of park and open space land as listed in Table February 2010

26 TABLE TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS TO PARKLANDS, OPEN SPACE, AND RECREATION AREAS Section Resource Name Temporary Construction Impact (Acres) Denver NA NA Adams Little Dry Creek Lake Park 0.04 Westminster Open Space 0.70 Wolff Run Park 0.32 Subtotal 1.06 Westminster Westminster Open Space 0.10 Subtotal 0.10 Broomfield NA NA Louisville Broomfield Open Space 0.02 Broomfield Conservation Easement 1.49 Trillium Open Space 0.32 Louisville Open Space 0.16 Subtotal 1.99 Boulder McKenzie Open Space 0.06 Celestial Seasonings Conservation Easement 0.21 IBM Open Space 0.20 Subtotal 0.47 Longmont Boulder Tech Center Conservation Easement 0.13 Nelson (Bert) Open Space 0.70 Bielins/Hock Open Space 0.32 Bielins/Hock Conservation Easement 0.15 Schlauffler Open Space 0.03 Russell/Anderson/Schmidt Conservation Easement 0.02 Peck Open Space 0.70 Subtotal 2.05 Total 5.67 Source: NWR Corridor Project Team, In addition to construction staging areas, construction may result in temporary visual impacts, fugitive dust emissions during construction activities, and temporary construction noise. These impacts are described in further detail in Section 3.5, Visual and Aesthetic Qualities, Section 3.7, Air Quality and Energy, and Section 3.8, Noise and Vibration, respectively. Construction of the Preferred Alternative would also result in temporary construction impacts where existing trails cross the proposed alignment. Trails that may potentially be temporarily impacted during construction include the South Platte River Greenway Trail, Little Dry Creek Trail, Wolff Run Trail, Big Dry Creek Trail Crossing, Coal Creek Regional Trail, South Boulder Creek Trail, Boulder Creek Trail, Goose Creek Trail, Fourmile Creek Trail, and the St. Vrain Greenway Trail. If construction required a temporary trail closure, a detour would allow trail users to continue to access the trail facility. Detours for each trail crossing are listed in February

27 Table Coordination with individual jurisdictions regarding the approval of these detours is ongoing. Detour plans for the South Platte River Greenway Trail were approved by the City and County of Denver in a letter dated September 25, 2008 and detour plans for Big Dry Creek and Wolff Run Trails were approved by the City of Westminster in documentation dated January 29, In addition, the City of Longmont approved the detour to the St. Vrain Greenway indicated in the table below in documentation dated February 5, (Appendix C) TABLE TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION DETOURS FOR TRAIL CROSSINGS Resource Name Temporary Construction Detour South Platte Greenway West on Arkins Court, Left on Denargo Street, which turns into Delgany Street and then into Wewatta Street; right on 19 th Street; right on Chestnut Place; left on West 20th Avenue; and right on Little Raven Street to the trail entrance at the City of Cuernavaca Park. Little Dry Creek (TC2) Utilize 64 th Avenue to cross from east to west. 64 th is an at-grade railroad crossing. Little Dry Creek (TC3, Little Dry Creek Trail Crossing of Federal Boulevard) Wolff Run Exit the trail at Irving Street south to 64 th Avenue. Take 64 th Avenue past Federal Boulevard to the at-grade crossing where the trail ties back in. Utilize Stuart Street south to 76 th Avenue to access Wolff Run Park. Big Dry Creek Coal Creek South Boulder Creek Boulder Creek Goose Creek Fourmile Creek St. Vrain Greenway Source: NWR Corridor Project Team, At underpass for Wadsworth Boulevard, head north to utilize bike path along Church Ranch Road east to Olde Wadsworth Boulevard and south to 99 th Avenue where the trail continues east. Take Front Street north to Pine Street east to North Courtesy Road south to Empire Road; or take Front Street south to South 96 th Street north to Empire Road east where the trail connects back. Exit the trail at to the east toward the baseball complex to Stazio Drive east to 63 rd Street until the trail connects back in. Exit the trail at Foothills Parkway and travel on the bike route north to Pearl Street or Pearl Parkway. Head east on Pearl Street or Peal Parkway until it ties back into Boulder Creek. Utilize 47th Avenue to travel south to Pearl Street. Follow Pearl Street until before Foothills Parkway. Travel north on the bike path west of Foothills Parkway until it ties back into the Goose Creek Trail. Utilize 47th Avenue to travel north to Jay Road. At Jay Road, travel east until the road ties back into Fourmile Creek Trail. Exit the trail at Price Road and cross the St. Vrain River using existing pedestrian bridge. Travel south to SH 119. At SH 119, travel east to Sherman Drive. Continue northeast on Sherman Drive to Colorado Avenue. Travel east on Colorado Avenue and cross Pratt Parkway. At Pratt Parkway, travel north two-hundred feet, where the trail ties back in. Cumulative Impacts Cumulative impacts for the Preferred Alternative would be essentially the same as for the No Action Alternative. The implementation of the Preferred Alternative would potentially provide a stimulus for the development of land within 0.5 mile of stations, therefore creating higher density mixed-use developments. This would result in a population shift toward the transit station locations and discourage further encroachment of open, undeveloped lands. It is February 2010

28 anticipated that additional parkland and recreation areas would be provided as part of future development surrounding station locations. Avoidance and Minimization Measures During the development of the Preferred Alternative, the proposed alignment was modified to avoid and minimize impacts to park resources wherever possible. These modifications included: Modifying the design to place the new track to the west side of the existing track to avoid impacts to the Little Dry Creek Trail between 64 th Avenue and Federal Boulevard. Adding a retaining wall along various sections of the proposed alignment, including Broomfield Industrial Park, Legion Park, and Howard Heuston Park, to avoid impacts to park land. Adding retaining walls in various locations along the proposed alignment where it parallels SH 119 to avoid and minimize impacts to open space located east of the proposed alignment. Additional efforts to further minimize impacts to parklands and open space will be considered during final design Mitigation Measures Mitigation techniques to reduce identified impacts to parklands and recreation areas are described in Table TABLE PROPOSED MITIGATION MEASURES - PARKLANDS, OPEN SPACE, AND RECREATION AREAS Impact Impact Type Mitigation Measures Trail crossings Construction Detour plans for trails crossings will be finalized with local jurisdictions during final design. Detour plans for the South Platte River Greenway Trail were approved by the City and County of Denver in a letter dated September 25, 2008 (Appendix C). Advanced notice for any closures and appropriate signing will be completed prior to beginning construction. Trail relocations Construction Return trails to their existing or comparable state following construction. Temporary impairment of park use during construction Noise/Visual Construction Construction In coordination with local jurisdictions, construction plans defining the best management practices for the following will be developed: Public safety and security for the project site, this plan should include all appropriate access, signing, and public information BMPs. Traffic, pedestrian, and bicycle access to the project area during construction. See Section 3.5, Visual and Aesthetic Qualities. See Section 3.8, Noise and Vibration. February

29 TABLE PROPOSED MITIGATION MEASURES - PARKLANDS, OPEN SPACE, AND RECREATION AREAS Impact Impact Type Mitigation Measures Negotiate compensation for parkland acquisition with the owner of the public lands local representatives. Parkland and open space acquisition Operations Source: NWR Corridor Project Team, Open space acquired from the City of Boulder will follow the approved process set forth in the Charter of the City of Boulder, Article XII, Section 177, which states that transfer of open space from City of Boulder ownership must be approved by City Council and the Open Space Board of Trustees February 2010

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