On November 19 th, more than 60 community members attended an Open Space Matters workshop at the Linen Building in downtown Boise for over two hours. Participants learned about reserves, discussed the Open Space Matters Reserve Management Plan and talked about strategies for the reserves in small groups. In these small groups, participants were asked to answer four questions: 1) What are the top three strengths/aspects we value about this reserve? (attendees used a list of management strengths as a guide) 2) Our future vision for this reserve is 3) Our top three priority management issues and/or management challenges in this reserve are (attendees used a list of management challenges as a guide) 4) What management solutions would you suggest to help address these challenges? On the following pages you ll find a summary of these small group discussions. Many ideas were considered during the night, but the summaries show what the groups felt were important highlights. After reporting highlights on posters, all attendees conducted a review and placed a sticker dot on any idea they supported. As such, you ll notice a dot count next to each highlight. Soon, you ll have the opportunity to experience the public workshop through an online questionnaire. The questionnaire will be structured by reserve, and will repeat the four questions presented at the workshop. Keep an eye on www.openspacematters.org and we ll have the questionnaire posted soon. Sincerely, Open Space Matter Planning Team www.openspacematters.org
Camel s Back/Hulls Gulch a) Diversity of scenery/paths - 12 dots b) Recreation options - 9 dots c) Proximity & Accessibility - 9 dots a. Better trail management specifically how we manage diverse recreational needs - 27 dots a) Interactions between different user types and skill levels (hikers, dogs, biking, walkers, horses, etc.) - 23 dots b) Dog Poop! - 3 dots c) Trail maintenance - 4 dots a) Education (trail etiquette, partner with dog related organizations) - 10 dots b) Dog poop clean up via inmate programs and other volunteers - 7 dots c) Coordinated volunteer efforts to address issues - 3 dots d) Some dedicated use trails - 17 dots
Castle Rock a) Cultural site/historic Site - 7 dots b) Viewshed/Geologic Feature - 8 dots c) Recreation - 6 dots a) Restoration/Habitat - 6 dots b) Interpretation - 4 dots c) Firewise - 9 dots a) Clarify appropriate access points - 6 dots b) Habitat restoration/wildlife mitigation - 4 dots c) Widening of trails - 7 dots a. Signage - 4 dots b. Bunch grass and sage restoration - 11 dots c. Interpretative programming (geothermal amenities, cultural sites, fire management) - 8 dots
Foothills East a) Recreation - 6 dots b) Viewshed - 2 dots c) Wildlife Habitat - 6 dots a) Leave undeveloped - 15 dots b) Improve existing trails-near summit - 2 dots c) Restore native habitat-reduce fire hazard - 9 dots a) Invasive weeds - 8 dots b) Fire hazard - 9 dots c) Reduce trail erosion - 7 dots a) Research approaches to reducing invasive species - 6 dots b) Fire perimeter-work with landowners employing Firewise - 7 dots c) Erosion-waterbars, terracing steep trails - 7 dots d) Stop Illegal dumping - 4 dots e) Trail markers identifying public land - 7 dots
Hillside to the Hollow a) Off-leash dog friendly-no confusion on rules, casual oversight - 18 dots b) Neighborly, good vibe, laid back, less crowded, no rules, Beer near! - 11 dots c) Access, location, parking - 7 dots a) Maintain strengths from above - 2 dots b) Connect to Polecat 17 dots c) Maintain and improve access points - 6 dots d) Vision for managing use - 2 dots a) Development Encroachment - 10 dots b) Accommodate more uses without hurting current nature of reserve - 7 dots c) Dog waste-educate/enlighten/encourage dog owners to clean up poop -13 dots a) Work with adjacent land owners to maintain access and mitigate development issues. Purchase, get easements, and protect reserve. - 16 dots b) Flow trails, bike skills park, special use areas. - 24 dots
Mesa a) Rich and varied wildlife/birds of prey - 3 dots b) Unique terrain/technical downhill priority mountain bike trails - 9 dots c) Unique geology of area natural beauty - 4 dots a) To provide easy access to dedicated trails (equestrian, hiker, cycling) to minimize user conflict while preserving native flora and fauna - 22 dots a) Trailhead parking and access (residential conflict) - 6 dots b) Environmental damage, including erosion and spread of noxious weeds - 5 dots c) Abuse-graffiti/partying/poorly behaved dogs - 5 dots a) Provide parking facilities on the reserve property - 7 dots b) Education, reinforcing trails where possible - 3 dots c) Additional funding for increased trail maintenance, signage, monitoring and other resources. - 7 dots
Military Reserve a) Diversity of use: horses, bikes, dogs, hikers, access to public lands - 10 dots b) Accessibility to nature - 5 dots c) Proximity to City - 8 dots d) Off Leash trails - 12 dots a) Maintain strengths and values - 5 dots b) Users have equal accessibility - 7 dots c) Parking-large vehicles 6 dots d) Maintain current access (St Luke s expansion) - 7 dots e) Wildlife management 5 dots f) Public education, history, trail etiquette, noxious weeds - 14 dots a) Noxious weeds - 8 dots b) Fire break-urban interface - 10 dots c) Native plant preservation - 8 dots d) Multi-use education e) Parking-accessibility - 7 dots a) Move Shooting Range: Parking for trailers, fire - 14 dots b) More Public Education, public awareness, social media, Nextdoor.com, meetup.com, Facebook - 7 dots c) Trail head signage - 4 dots
Noble a) Viewshed (Variety) - 1 dot b) Recreation (solitude, work out, hiking, biking, horses) - 4 dots c) Wildlife - 3 dots a) Preserve the existing environment while enhancing access to all non-motorized users - 9 dots a) Heavy use b) Previous use (horses replaced by bikes) - 1 dot c) Widening of trails a) Signage for bikers-yield priority on five mile, to be careful/slow down - 3 dots b) Better parking (so horse trailers can access) - 5 dots c) Trail maintenance volunteers - 1 dot
Polecat Gulch Reserve a) Recreation - 6 dots b) Wildlife Habitat - 4 dots c) Connectivity - 13 dots a) Maintain multiple use recreation in a way that preserves wildlife habitat. Plan for and increase connectivity to nearby public, private land and nearby reserves. 29 dots a) Off leash dogs and dog waste - 9 dots b) Invasive weeds - 7 dots c) Maintaining rare plants and wildlife - 6 dots a) Education/interpretative signs about values - 7 dots b) Multiple weed control methods - 7 dots
Oregon Trail a) Accessibility - 1 dot b) All weather trails ( gravel) - 8 dots c) Parking and full facilities - 7 dots a) Leverage historic value to increase use - 7 dots a) Trail rule violation (dogs/bike) - 4 dots b) Historic preservation - 5 dots c) Wayfinding - 3 dots a) Education - 3 dots b) Wayfinding signage - 5 dots c) Publicity (Oregon Trail value) - 2 dots
Stack Rock a) Scenic Iconic backdrop 4 dots b) Remoteness 4 dots c) Wildlife, Forested 4 dots a) Maintain remoteness 10 dots b) Provide access-but not too much 12 dots a) Access-legitimate 7 dots b) Bug kill-fire hazard 1 dot c) Managing diverseness 1 dot a) Acquire legal access from west side 20 dots b) Provide several smaller parking sites 11 dots c) Mutual aid agreement for fire 5 dots