Appendix 7.2 Passive Recreational Use of Boulder
County Parks and Open Space Department
The following statements are excerpted
from the Open Space Element of the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan.
Definition and Functions of Open Space
Within the context of the Boulder
County Comprehensive Plan, open space is defined as:
- Those lands referred to in the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan, as being
intentionally left free from future development, and in which it has been
determined that it is, or may in the future be, within the public interest
to acquire an interest in order to assure their protection.
Passive
Recreation, referred to in the Open Space Element policies, is
defined as:
- Outdoor activities that create opportunities for independence, closeness
to nature, and a high degree of interaction with the natural environment and
which require no organization, rules of play, facilities, or the installation
of equipment, other than those which may be necessary to protect the natural
environment.
- The setting for passive recreation is a predominantly natural appearing
environment of moderate to large size. There is a moderate probability of
experiencing isolation from the sights and sounds of other humans. Interaction
between visitors is low, and evidence of others ranges from minimal to common.
Motorized use is prohibited.
The functions of
open space remain much as they were first envisioned by the citizens
of Boulder County.
- Urban shaping between or around municipalities or community service areas,
and buffer zones between residential and non-residential development.
- Preservation of: critical ecosystems; natural areas; scenic vistas and areas;
fish and wildlife habitats; natural resources and landmarks; outdoor recreation
areas; cultural, historic and archaeological areas; linkages and trails; access
to public lakes, streams and other useable open space lands; and scenic and
stream or highway corridors. Conservation of natural resources, including
but not limited to forest lands, range lands, agricultural lands, aquifer
recharge areas and surface water.
- Protection of designated areas of environmental concern, generally in multiple
ownership, where several different preservation methods (including other governmental
bodies' participation or private ownership) may need to be utilized; these
lands will not be considered for control by the County open space program
provided sufficient evidence exists that these lands are to be preserved in
a natural state.
