City Introduces New Ways to Maximize Fun and Safety at the Creek
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s Golden residents can attest, June signals the start of another busy summer season in Golden. This year, City officials anticipate activity levels that may exceed the norm for summertime in Golden. After many months of limited activities, interactions, and events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people will likely seek to get out and participate in the many customary activities they have missed. In Golden, that means outdoor recreation — especially, along and in the popular Clear Creek. After years of continued growth in activity in the Clear Creek corridor, this year the City will be introducing new measures aimed at improving conditions in the corridor so that all may experience equal enjoyment of Clear Creek and adjacent trails and parks, regardless of one’s preferred activity. Several months ago, City Manager Jason Slowinski pulled together a group of stakeholders to review management practices in the Clear Creek corridor. This working group — representing neighborhoods, civic organizations, the Golden Visitor’s Center, local businesses, outdoor recreation industry representatives, equipment rental companies, and Golden residents — met regularly since February discussing issues, challenges, and potential strategies, to address the issues caused by the growing popularity of Clear Creek. The group’s work focused on issues concerning water use and safety, trail use, traffic and parking, communications, enforcement of rules and regulations, and environmental concerns. At the City Council meeting on May 11, the City Manager briefed the City
6 | June 2021
Council on the work of the group and the likely changes in management practices expected during the upcoming 2021 summer season. Among the more significant changes you will likely see are:
• An expanded Park Ranger program with focus on the enforcement of rule violations; and • A central online portal for visitor information related to Clear Creek
These changes, and many others, • The implementation of color-coded are based on recommendations of the water safety protocols tied to actual working group. In addition, the group water flow conditions; identified a number of other possible • The introduction of a Clear Creek actions and strategies for consideration Ambassador program in an effort to in future years. Recognizing the important asset that better inform, educate, and establish Clear Creek is for the community, the City new cultural norms around enjoyment will be seeking feedback from residents of the Clear Creek corridor; and visitors related to these changes • Better signage to communicate rules, throughout the summer season. This expectations, and other important feedback, along with other data points, information; will allow us to learn from these changes • The separation of certain uses on the and will help guide future adjustments adjacent Clear Creek trails in order and recommendations. to minimize user conflicts, to include For more information and further a preferred path for tubers and a details on the strategies, visit seasonal bicycle dismount zone; www.guidinggolden.com.
