Thanks to Holly McLain, and Leslie Thomas…. I became interested in Parking for Horse trailers near or on the newly acquired Glassier Property. As most of you know, this property is located near El Jebel and fairly close to at least one trail used to access “the crown” where good riding abounds.
I’ve met with the Open Space Trails [OST] folks, on my own, some Commissioners, on my own, visited the property with Holly, and most importantly, read the Management Plan for the Glassier Property.
I’d like to give a brief synopsis of what I believe to be true about horse trailer parking at this time, and for your consideration.
First, it’s necessary to understand that there is a procedure for managing public land purchased for open space by the county, with our tax money.
The Glassier property is not their first adventure in managing open space property with agricultural use. However, it is the first time they are charging for the leases of the Ag. parcels. And the first time, that I know about, thanks to Holly, Leslie, and Carol, that horse parking has been mentioned in concert with this kind of property. Other previously purchased properties will be eased into this process as their leases expire. OST knows that their current, new process may not be perfect. They did have a steering committee, [of citizens from the area] and wrote a management plan for this new property. Their reasons for moving along fairly quickly involve planting times and irrigation water uses. As most of us know, “use it or lose it” is the Holy Grail of water ownership.
The Management Plan clearly states that, [Page 17, article III] ‘Parking on site and access will be permitted for agricultural lessees.’ There is no provision for recreational parking of any kind on any leased agricultural parcel. And, that makes sense. The last thing any garden operation needs is horse prints or bike tire tracks across the fields, let alone unexpectedly parked horse trailers.
So, if after reading the management plan you think you can persuade them to change it, and allow trailer parking on any of those Agricultural tracts, then have at it. I think you’ll be wasting your time.
So, what’s left? Right now the commissioners and some of the OST board, and some of the staff, would be very happy to put trailer parking down the road in a multi use lot that is going to be acquired east of Glassier, described as Carricarte, at the corner of Hooks Road and Hooks Spur Lane. It’s closer to more vehicle traffic and farther away from the trail to the Crown. I think it’s a swell spot for bikes, and should be used for bike car parking and hiker car parking. Horse trailer parking belongs down the road, on either side of the Glassier Home. Right now the area on both sides of the house has been designated as parking for the lessees of the Ag. leases. Horse parking will be considered. But has not been assigned. To make this clear, right now there is no space allotted to equestrian parking.
So, why am I writing this letter? Your help is necessary.
Parking on the west side of the Glassier house, is particularly attractive. Very little improvement need be done, and most importantly, it could be restricted to horse trailers and the Ag lessee whose parcel adjoins that area on that side of the house. Overflow horse trailer parking could be allowed on the other side, and that other side should be the parking for all other lessees.
The suggestions above will only be considered, and maybe enacted, if enough horse people pressure [HPP] is brought to bear at the site meeting scheduled sometime near the end of April. Additionally, many letters all backing the same plan, will need to be sent before that site meeting, the date of which is currently unannounced. Those letters need to go to the OST board, the OST Staff, and the Pitkin County Commissioners now. They are not going to just give it to the horse people. You have to get those letters to them, and show up when the site meeting is announced. Also, everybody has to be on the same page when it comes to what horse people want. This is a small window of opportunity. If it passes without your action, it will be difficult to renegotiate horse parking when this window is closed. No, it will be impossible. Keep in mind, too, that this decision will affect considerations about horse parking anywhere in the future.
Just heard from Holly that there is a meeting, before the site meeting, with the commissioners. I’ll include her email to me below. This is on the 25th of March, a Wednesday. The commissioners want to hear from us. Let’s make ourselves clear.
If you want to see the location yourself, the next time you’re at Whole Foods, this site is just 5 minutes away. Call me if you need directions. 925-7766.
Terry Murray
I’ve met with the Open Space Trails [OST] folks, on my own, some Commissioners, on my own, visited the property with Holly, and most importantly, read the Management Plan for the Glassier Property.
I’d like to give a brief synopsis of what I believe to be true about horse trailer parking at this time, and for your consideration.
First, it’s necessary to understand that there is a procedure for managing public land purchased for open space by the county, with our tax money.
The Glassier property is not their first adventure in managing open space property with agricultural use. However, it is the first time they are charging for the leases of the Ag. parcels. And the first time, that I know about, thanks to Holly, Leslie, and Carol, that horse parking has been mentioned in concert with this kind of property. Other previously purchased properties will be eased into this process as their leases expire. OST knows that their current, new process may not be perfect. They did have a steering committee, [of citizens from the area] and wrote a management plan for this new property. Their reasons for moving along fairly quickly involve planting times and irrigation water uses. As most of us know, “use it or lose it” is the Holy Grail of water ownership.
The Management Plan clearly states that, [Page 17, article III] ‘Parking on site and access will be permitted for agricultural lessees.’ There is no provision for recreational parking of any kind on any leased agricultural parcel. And, that makes sense. The last thing any garden operation needs is horse prints or bike tire tracks across the fields, let alone unexpectedly parked horse trailers.
So, if after reading the management plan you think you can persuade them to change it, and allow trailer parking on any of those Agricultural tracts, then have at it. I think you’ll be wasting your time.
So, what’s left? Right now the commissioners and some of the OST board, and some of the staff, would be very happy to put trailer parking down the road in a multi use lot that is going to be acquired east of Glassier, described as Carricarte, at the corner of Hooks Road and Hooks Spur Lane. It’s closer to more vehicle traffic and farther away from the trail to the Crown. I think it’s a swell spot for bikes, and should be used for bike car parking and hiker car parking. Horse trailer parking belongs down the road, on either side of the Glassier Home. Right now the area on both sides of the house has been designated as parking for the lessees of the Ag. leases. Horse parking will be considered. But has not been assigned. To make this clear, right now there is no space allotted to equestrian parking.
So, why am I writing this letter? Your help is necessary.
Parking on the west side of the Glassier house, is particularly attractive. Very little improvement need be done, and most importantly, it could be restricted to horse trailers and the Ag lessee whose parcel adjoins that area on that side of the house. Overflow horse trailer parking could be allowed on the other side, and that other side should be the parking for all other lessees.
The suggestions above will only be considered, and maybe enacted, if enough horse people pressure [HPP] is brought to bear at the site meeting scheduled sometime near the end of April. Additionally, many letters all backing the same plan, will need to be sent before that site meeting, the date of which is currently unannounced. Those letters need to go to the OST board, the OST Staff, and the Pitkin County Commissioners now. They are not going to just give it to the horse people. You have to get those letters to them, and show up when the site meeting is announced. Also, everybody has to be on the same page when it comes to what horse people want. This is a small window of opportunity. If it passes without your action, it will be difficult to renegotiate horse parking when this window is closed. No, it will be impossible. Keep in mind, too, that this decision will affect considerations about horse parking anywhere in the future.
Just heard from Holly that there is a meeting, before the site meeting, with the commissioners. I’ll include her email to me below. This is on the 25th of March, a Wednesday. The commissioners want to hear from us. Let’s make ourselves clear.
If you want to see the location yourself, the next time you’re at Whole Foods, this site is just 5 minutes away. Call me if you need directions. 925-7766.
Terry Murray