In 1976, Betasso Preserve made history as the county’s first major open space purchase. Easily accessible from the Front Range, the property quickly became a popular destination. By 1985, it was estimated that around 3,000 people visited Betasso Preserve annually. As years passed, visitation continued to increase. Today, up to 70,000 people visit each year.
Promoting Peace
People travel to Betasso Preserve for a variety of activities, some of the most popular being hiking, mountain biking and running. By the early 1990s, the public voiced concerns over visitor conflict and safety due to the high number of mountain bikers using the trail. In response, signs warning mountain bikers to be cautious, a re-route of a section of trail, increased educational efforts about trail etiquette, directional requirements for bikers, and other efforts were implemented to reduce conflict on the trail.
However, due to the different visitor expectations that accompany activities, along with consistently high visitation and steep narrow trails, additional efforts to reduce conflicts and increase safety were needed. To address the issue, an alternative day use regulation was implemented in 2001.
This regulation allows mountain bikers to use the trails five days a week, but prohibits mountain bike use on Wednesdays and Saturdays. This provides two days a week when park visitors, who were uncomfortable sharing the trail with mountain bikes, can enjoy the trail.
After the regulation was implemented, a survey of visitors was conducted in fall 2002 to gauge the community’s response to the new rule. The results of the survey found that 67 percent of the people interviewed supported the regulation, including many mountain bikers. Based in part on this data, the Board of County Commissioners in 2003 voted to extend the alternate day use regulation.
In 2007, the department acquired the Benjamin property which expanded the size of Betasso Preserve and began a planning process to update the Betasso Preserve Management Plan. The plan, which included new multiple use trails and the continuation of the alternative day use regulation, was adopted in 2009 by the Board of County Commissioners. In 2011 and 2012, approximately four miles of multi-use trail were added to Betasso Preserve with the opening of the Benjamin Loop and Fourmile Link trails.
With the addition of new trails, it was important to re-evaluate visitor support for the alternative day use regulation. Department managers want to ensure that we continue to reflect the present needs and desires of open space users.
Study Results
This past summer, you may have seen people at Betasso Preserve requesting surveys from visitors. Boulder County Parks and Open Space staff and senior tax workers collected 458 surveys at Betasso Preserve, with a response rate of 86 percent.
Surveys were collected at three main park access points: the main trailhead, the Betasso Link trail, and the Fourmile Link trail. Survey collection was attempted on weekdays and weekends, and during both biking and non-biking days. The last two survey shifts scheduled were canceled in mid-September due to extensive flooding and road closures in Boulder County.
Sixty-eight percent of visitors surveyed support the alternative day use regulation. Since the majority of visitors continue to show support for the alternative day use regulation, it will remain in effect (Betasso Link trail exempt). Furthermore, user conflict on the trails at Betasso Preserve will continue to be assessed on a regular basis.
Share the Trail
So take a hike amongst the fragrant pines, enjoy the scenic views on a run, or bike across the blooming meadows. And during your visit to this park and others, please take care to practice good trail etiquette. You can help reduce conflict by considering the needs of others on the trail and engaging in polite and constructive communication with your fellow visitors.