Special Projects

Open Space and Trails works on a number of special projects and studies to improve and to expand the Recpath, to construct additional trails and trailheads, to engage the community in events like Bike to Work Day, to protect historic resources, to cleanup abandoned mines, and to restore rivers for enhancing water quality, fisheries, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities. 

Winter Grooming Opens Recpath to New Recreation Uses

Summit County, the U.S. Forest Service and the towns of Breckenridge and Frisco have partnered to groom the Summit County Recreational Pathway System between Frisco and Breckenridge, a new service that will enhance opportunities for winter recreation. Allowed winter uses on the Recpath include cross-country skiing, bicycling, walking, snowshoeing and other non-motorized recreation. The groomed section of the Recpath now extends from the new Dickey Day Use parking area at the top of the Frisco Adventure Park to Valley Brook Road in Breckenridge. The Town of Breckenridge was already grooming from Tiger Road to Valley Brook, and the additional grooming now effectively connects the Gold Run Nordic Center and Frisco Nordic Center, as well as both towns. The grooming services also increase winter trail access to and from Summit High School and several residential neighborhoods along the route.

The towns of Frisco and Breckenridge will each groom about half of the 8-mile stretch of pathway between them; grooming is scheduled to take place twice per week, unless otherwise dictated by the weather. Grooming operations will remain within the 16-foot-wide Recpath footprint, and the pathway is free for the public to use. Trail passes are still required at the Frisco Nordic Center and Gold Run Nordic Center. Both of these Nordic centers, along with Breckenridge Nordic Center, offer joint passes, which may be used at all three locations. 

Grooming operations will include track-setting for classic Nordic skiers, as well as laying corduroy for skate skiers, cyclists and other non-motorized users. The project partners ask that cyclists and walkers avoid the classic ski tracks so they remain usable for skiers. Grooming will continue through April 30, as long as there is sufficient snow to prevent impacts to the pathway and surrounding natural areas. Users are encouraged to be respectful and courteous to one another on the multiuse pathway and to use proper trail etiquette, including packing out all trash. Just as in the summer, dogs are required to be leashed when on the pathway, and motorized uses are not allowed. Pet owners are required by law to pick up pet waste and dispose of it properly in a trash receptacle. 

At present, there are no other proposals to expand winter grooming operations onto other sections of the Recpath, because of avalanche safety and wildlife concerns.

​Bike to Work Day

Summit County Open Space and Trails and the Physical Activity and Nutrition Team of the Summit (PANTS) invites the community to participate in the annual Bike to Work Day each June in Colorado. Bicycle commuters can receive free breakfast, get simple bike tune-ups by local bike mechanics and be entered into prize drawings.

Bike to Work Day is a fun event in Summit County, and it grows every year. For those who haven’t ever tried commuting by bike, this event is a great way to give it a shot and get a taste of the physical-fitness and stress-reduction benefits.

Summit County has celebrated Bike to Work Day since 2010. PANTS began partnering with the County in 2014, helping to grow the event’s participation and activity offerings. This year, Summit County Bike to Work Day is bigger than ever, with an expanded number of breakfast stations, evening activities and prize drawings throughout the community. 


Hoosier Pass Feasibility Study

With assistance from Belt Collins out of Boulder, CO and coordination with Park County and the Towns of Breckenridge, Blue River and Alm​a, we have conducted a feasibility study to determine if it would be possible to construct a Recpath between Breckenridge and Alma. If constructed, this approximately 17 miles of paved Recpath would allow users to connect into the existing trails and navigate a designated Recpath system between Vail Pass and the Town of Fairplay. This would also provide a safe commute option for residents of Summit and Park Counties to travel between towns separated by Hoosier Pass. Please see the below links for the documents:
  
Cover Page Introduction Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Appendices

For a recap of the project, view the Final Overview.

Reiling Dredge Preservation Master Plan
The primary objectives of this project are to conduct a thorough investigation of the structural stability and integrity of the dredge, develop recommendations for both short term stabilization and long-term preservation of the structure, and to develop a plan for interpretation and use of the site. In addition, the possibility of a National Register of Historic Places nomination was considered and potential boundaries for such a nomination are still being considered. This master plan addresses how best to interpret and preserve the dredge and its site while balancing other interests and goals for the area including stream restoration and recreational uses.

*Due to large document size, the plan may take a few minutes to load*

Reiling Dredge Preservation Master Plan
Reiling dredge remains 1980s