December 11, 2023 | Overland

Larimer County Natural Resources will soon be updating their Master Plan for public open lands and, more specifically, future recreation opportunities.  The last master plan was completed in 2015.  A LOT has changed since then and your input is critical to seeing that this plan is updated to accurately meet present-day recreation usage and demands.  We also want to thank Larimer County Natural Resources for the opportunity to provide this input!

Here’s the link to the “Our Lands, Our Future” survey.

Please read on for OMBA’s thoughts on filling out the survey.

This survey doesn’t just cover Larimer County Open Spaces, it is asking about all trail systems and public open lands in Larimer County EXCEPT for Lory State Park and US Forest Service lands. 

You’ll want to give yourself some time to take this survey, and be thoughtful in your answers.  We aren’t here to tell you what to say or how to answer, but we do want you to keep this question in mind while taking this survey:
 

“What action will Larimer County and other land agencies take based on the input received?”

The results of the 2023 survey will help guide current and future open space management and stewardship in Larimer County, so it’s really important to show them what you’d like to see improved!   Based on that question, a few items in the survey stuck out as questions to really explore and not gloss over.  
 

  • When asked to rate how certain activities are currently meeting the needs of the community, this is your opportunity to really weigh in!  For example:
    • Think about all ability levels of mountain bikers within our community…are the types of trails, number of trails, and access to trails within Larimer County meeting the needs of all ages and ability levels of mountain bikers?
  • When asked what services/amenities/activities you’d like to see offered by Larimer County and other municipalities, this is where you can consider your needs and those of others!
    • What do you want the ultimate MTB trail experience in Larimer County to look like?
    • Do we need more trails for all ages and abilities?  More greens and blues? More blacks?
    • Do you want more progressive skills areas or bike optimized features?
  • Pay close attention when allocating your $100 funds, those can be spent on acquiring new lands or improving existing lands.  
  • Pay close attention to wording of key questions like “select the word choice that indicates what emphasis you would like to see Larimer County and our cities and towns pursue.“
    • There’s a big difference in Strong Emphasis in Outdoor Recreation in Natural Settings and Strong Emphasis on Natural Resource Preservation/Protection–they’re literally on direct opposite ends of the scale!
    • Even though many of us see that an emphasis on outdoor recreation in natural settings will ALSO create an emphasis on natural resource protections, this survey sees it differently.

Please don’t let this survey slip away!

Click here to provide your thoughts and input.

If you ride a mountain bike in Larimer County you need to provide your input.  Get all of your riding buddies to fill out the survey too.  The information and feedback received from this survey data will be used to help formulate new management plans.  This is our best opportunity to collectively express what the community actually wants to see.

Survey will close at the end of December, as per Larimer County Natural Resources