2013-Mike O'Brien Memorial Project: Oxbow Trail Construction

Start Date-End Date: 07/20/2013-07/20/2013 Land Manager Office: Land Manager Contact: Martha Tableman Funding Partner: Clear Creek County Open Space Commission Programmatic Partner: Summary: Come construct a trail in Clear Creek County that will one day help connect trail systems from Golden to distant Loveland Pass. Description: STEWARDSHIP SITE The Oxbow Parcel, named for the oxbow (large bend) Clear Creek takes in the area, is a site of breathtaking beauty, scenic wildlife, and highly sought after recreational amenities. Located near Tunnel 6 on US highway 6, the site is an essential piece of Clear Creek County's master plan for connecting the Greenway Trail with Jefferson County's own Greenway Trail. When completed, it will connect trail systems from Golden to Loveland Pass fully fifty miles distant, a truly remarkable achievement. VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY Volunteers will be converting an old railroad bed into a new, easily-passable trail that follows the creek around an oxbow. Volunteer work will involve moving rocks, building steps to the river, constructing new trail tread and clearing vegetation in the trail corridor. Volunteers unfamiliar with such work will learn about natural trail and rock work construction techniques. When completed, not only will the trail put Clear Creek County closer to completing their master plan, but it will help open public access to the area for hikers, bikers, fishermen, and historians as well. PARTNERS Clear Creek County Open Space SPONSORS Mike O'Brien Memorial Fund OTHER FUN STUFF Meals: A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Latitude/Longitude: 39.63740158081055, -105.34020233154297 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Difficult High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 50 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 37 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 1 Total Volunteer Days: 38 Total Unique Volunteers: 38 Total Volunteer Hours: 342 Staff Hours: 40 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Email received frm W. Dale Allen. He was working with VOC in July to study our model for implementation with a similar organization in Florida. Hi Dan, Thanks for this follow-up email. I appreciate all your help and support on Saturday's work project. I feel that I did very little (I was one Steve's stone stair crew, and he did most of the work--at 88 he is most amazing!) but I learned a great deal. Plus, after a day "standing around" at 7000+ feet elevation, I did sleep well on Saturday evening. I am even more impressed with VOC after seeing the professional level of work delivered to the volunteers on the ground. You and your whole team are the best organization of its type that I have ever witnessed. I have much to learn (and many techniques to beg, borrow and steal) from VOC. Perhaps in a couple of years you can come to volunteer on one of VOF's projects. Best wishes, Dale Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: 34 volunteers improved 1300 feet of existing trail on a old rail road bed, and constructed 400 new feet of trail. Volunteers also constructed four sets of rock stairs leading down the river. This project will help Clear Creek County with their continuing development of the Peaks to Plains trail, which will connect Golden to Loveland Pass.