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Breckenridge planners present McCain Open Space draft favoring soft-surface trails and habitat protections
Summary
Consultants from CDR and THK presented draft designs for the 128-acre McCain parcel on Oct. 15, outlining a preferred concept with mostly soft-surface trails, seven feature areas, accessible routes and measures to protect sensitive habitat; a public draft will be shown Oct. 23.
Consultants from CDR Associates and THK Associates told the Breckenridge Social Equity Advisory Commission on Oct. 15 that the town’s draft plan for the 128-acre McCain property prioritizes soft-surface trails, accessibility and habitat protections.
Laura Hickeyi of CDR Associates and Sam Spicer, project manager and landscape designer at THK, said the planning effort focuses on roughly 50 acres designated as open space on the east side of the Blue River and that the project team conducted online surveys and in-person workshops to develop two concept alternatives. The principal difference between those alternatives is trail surfacing: one shows more paved trail and the other favors soft-surface trails. Spicer said public feedback, the Open Space Advisory Commission and town council have favored a concept with a hierarchy of trails that is “more soft than hardscape,” while keeping a paved access route from the existing rec-path where needed.
The consultants described seven feature areas that would include picnic spaces, river access points, wildflower meadows, a viewing overlook and a wildlife-viewing platform. They emphasized accessibility, saying the site’s relatively flat topography allows most trails — even soft-surface routes — to be designed for people with mobility restrictions. Planners also described two parallel handicap parking spaces, an information kiosk and reserved space for a restroom or temporary facilities at a primary trailhead, with additional access from nearby trailheads and a ski-parking lot on an adjacent school parcel.
On environmental protection, consultants said an ecological site assessment informed which zones require extra sensitivity. The plan keeps the majority of public activity on the east side of the river and avoids development in the more ecologically sensitive west side, and proposes native wildflower plantings intended to kick-start pollinator habitat and provide forage for elk and moose while maintaining wildlife corridors.
Commissioners raised questions about vehicle conflicts on McCain Road and the wreck path; Spicer said the preferred concept realigns the wreck path through the open space to remove a crossing conflict near Coin Valley Road, improving sight lines and reducing intersection crossings.
The project team asked commissioners to help share outreach materials and noted a public presentation of a refined draft concept is scheduled for Oct. 23, 5:30–7 p.m. at the rec center. Final plan approval is anticipated through the town council process later this year.
“[The preferred concept] has a hierarchy of trails that is more soft than hardscape,” Spicer said, explaining the selection reflected public and advisory feedback. “Everything else would be soft surface, which aligns better with the intent of being environmentally conscious and as least impactful to this sensitive habitat as we can be.”
Next steps: the team will present a revised draft on Oct. 23 and continue coordination with environmental consultants and adjacent landowners before seeking council action.
