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Staunton State Park to run October forestry operations, continue dam-rehab work; some trail and campground closures planned
Summary
Staunton State Park managers said crews will thin about 80 acres in Mason Creek this fall for wildfire-risk reduction and watershed protection and that helicopter operations to remove material will produce noise five days a week during October; the park also reported continued dam rehabilitation on Oak Falls Pond that has drained the pond and closed western trails.
Staunton State Park managers told Conifer residents about active forestry and dam-rehabilitation projects that will affect access and create noise during fall operations.
Zach Taylor, park manager at Staunton State Park, outlined an approximately 80-acre forestry project in the Mason Creek area on the park’s eastern side near Conifer Mountain and Kings Valley. Taylor said crews are removing trees to reduce wildfire risk and protect the watershed and that dense, overgrown conditions will be thinned to restore stands of spruce, lodgepole, ponderosa and aspen.
Because the work area is steep, Taylor said park crews are using hand crews and will remove cut material by helicopter; he warned residents of significant noise from helicopter operations five days a week during October. Taylor said the park will host an informational meeting about the project at the park on Sept. 24 at 6:30 p.m. and that several trail and campground closures and archery-range closures will be necessary for safety while helicopter operations are underway.
Taylor also updated the audience on an Oak Falls Pond dam-rehabilitation project on the western side of the park. The dam, built in 1925, had been failing; the park drained the pond for work, said Taylor, and western trails have been closed during reconstruction of the spillway. He said concrete pours and remaining work may continue into colder months and that visitors should expect closures on western trails while the project finishes.
Taylor noted ongoing park programs and visitor services, including wildflower hikes, living-history events and an adaptive track-chair program; he also reminded visitors to secure trash and maintain bear-wise practices as bears become more active in the fall.
