Westminster staff says dog-off-leash plan will not shrink protected acreage; council presses for clearer cost and Greenway routing answers

Westminster City Councilors pressed staff on Aug. 18 over the scope, costs and trail routing in the Westminster Hills area specific management plan (ASMP), seeking clearer estimates of maintenance costs and whether the regional Greenway Trail could be rerouted to reduce conflict with the planned 440-acre dog off‑leash natural area.

The ASMP is intended to define short- and longer-term management options for the city’s Westminster Hills open space, including the 440‑acre dog off‑leash natural area. Eric Hetzelberger, Westminster’s parks, recreation and libraries director, told the council that “the area specific management plan will not be reducing the acreage for the dog off‑leash natural area in any capacity,” and that the plan’s scope is focused on the existing 440 acres and short‑term measures to mitigate user conflicts.

Councilors and residents had earlier cited a figure of $1.2 million in annual maintenance costs for the area.…