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Open Space Commission updates: Mill Creek Park Phase 1 moves forward; PEZ soil-health program expands and forest health shows improvement
Summary
County commissioners approved Mill Creek Park Phase 1 and awarded construction to Ground Pounders; the commission renewed contracts for the PEZ soil-health program (including biochar as an add-on) and received a forest health report showing slowed decline and signs of regeneration in parts of Bear Creek.
Staff reported that the county commissioners approved Phase 1 of the Mill Creek Park project, covering regrading and revegetation. An RFP had been issued for the project and the construction contract was awarded to Ground Pounders (Mike Kimball); staff is finalizing the contract and awaiting a start date that will depend on weather.
Commissioners discussed a proposed pollinator garden and agreed to form a small working group to advance planting design for the park. Staff said seasonal staffing positions and volunteer coordination will be posted for summer maintenance work.
On conservation programs, staff said contracts were renewed for Chris Hazen and the Chavinoke Conservation District to continue the PEZ (soil-health) program and that biochar will be added as a reimbursable soil amendment for participating landowners. Staff noted local media covered the PEZ presentation but commissioners raised concern that the Open Space Commission’s role was omitted from a newspaper article; staff said they would follow up with the communications coordinator.
The commission received a Forest Health report from staff and discussed findings: after a decade of extensive decline in some stands, new field and satellite data show little new conifer mortality or canopy dieback in the most recent assessment period and signs of limited regeneration in mixed conifer-aspen areas. Commissioners asked to have the report author present at a future meeting for more discussion.
The commission also confirmed policy that the Bridal Veil Trail’s conservation easement prohibits commercial events that exceed the 20-person noncommercial limit; staff advised a local organizer proposing a 100-person run to consider county roads or alternate routes because the easement and policy do not allow commercial races of that size on the trail.
Next steps: staff to finalize Mill Creek contracts and start dates, post seasonal positions, form a pollinator garden subgroup, follow up with communications on the PEZ coverage and schedule the forest-health author for a future meeting.
