Proposed Marshall Mesa Interpretive Trail

Guy Burgess

Note: This post was written at an earlier stage in the ongoing public debate over Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks policies. While somewhat dated, the post still raises important issues which are still relevant.

Among urban environmentalists and wilderness recreationists, the least well understood local ecosystem is the prairie. Seldom appreciated as a vibrant ecosystem, it is commonly seen as little more than vacant land – a place where any human use is preferable to leaving the land the way it was. From metro Denver you have to drive a very long way – perhaps of the Pawnee National Grasslands to get a sense of what the prairie was like before the great waves of farming, ranching, urbanization, and accompanying irrigation. At Marshall Mesa have a rare opportunity to change that with construction of an interpretive "prairie appreciation" trail.

While I don't know the area well enough to propose a specific alignment, I do think that you need something with the following characteristics. First, and in keeping with the area's designation as a Habitat Conservation Area, I see this as an on-trail-only trail with a double fence, "cattle chute" design in particularly sensitive areas. It would be an out-and-back trail that would, because it provides access to sensitive areas, be closed to cyclists and equestrians. (Hitching posts and bike racks could be available at the trailhead.) The design could also include spurs that would be closed during the nesting season and other environmentally sensitive times.

The alignment would follow an unobtrusive and wandering route that would tour the different types of grasslands, riparian zones, big views, and wildlife observation areas. Where appropriate wildlife observation blinds and shaded benches could be built. Interpretive materials could be keyed to numbered posts and accompanying interpretive pamphlet which could be distributed at the trailhead and made available online. There might also be a short and long versions of the pamphlet for visitors with differing levels of interest. Also available would be bird lists, plant identification guides, historical descriptions, and explanations of applicable agricultural practices. The exact length of the trail would depend upon the geographic distribution of points of interest (though something around a mile and a half would probably work). You want to get people to the point where they can experience the sights and sounds of the prairie without interference from adjacent urban areas.

With good planning you should be able to build public support for prairie preservation while simultaneously protecting the area's sensitive environmental resources.