A blog posting by Ralph Schell, Director, Community Resources and Open Space

Open Space is embarking on a “Shared Use” philosophy of providing recreational opportunities on the parks under the division's stewardship and management.

“Shared Use” is a philosophy allowing opportunities for non-motorized trail use within the system of Open Space Parks without providing multiple uses on every trail at every park.

Today, the majority of trails are “Multiple Use” or open to hikers, bikers and equestrians equally. To give examples of shared use opportunities, Open Space provides a hiker-only park at Mount Galbriath just outside the City of Golden. An alternating weekend day management at Centennial Cone Park allows equestrians every day, however, hikers and bikers alternate Saturdays and Sundays by numerical assignment (hikers on odd numbered weekend days, bikers on even numbered weekend days).

How would your visit to an Open Space Park be affected by a shared use philosophy, particularly if applied to your favorite park? Would you seek out other parks that offer a particular park experience?