Land Trust to improve Lower Loop parking area

Will that ruin it for pedestrians using the road?

The Crested Butte Land Trust is beginning the process of improving and possibly eventually expanding the parking area at the end of the Peanut Lake Road near the intersection of the Lower Loop and Budd trails. But during a presentation to the Crested Butte Town Council Monday night, some people said they had concerns about the idea.
The CBLT presented a two-phase plan to expand the amount of parking at the lot in the future, but this summer it will focus on enhancing the current space to make it more defined; provide better drainage; and install more high-profile signage for the area trail system.

The CBLT owns the land where the lot is located near the end of Peanut Lake Road but the town of Crested Butte holds the conservation easement (CE). So CBLT executive director Ann Johnston came before the council to inform them of the initiative. Town Open Space and Trail coordinator Jake Jones said the town and CBLT have been discussing the situation for months and, while the town had no decision-making authority over the first phase of the plan, the CBLT discussion was purely informational.
“A lot of this grew out of efforts to help people find the trails system,” explained Johnston. “A big part of this first phase is to come up with new and improved signs. It’s an opportunity to create a better experience for people at that north parking lot and to recognize the partners that have helped make this trail system so good.”
“I think it will be good to see the area improved,” said Mayor Aaron Huckstep, “to make it look like a parking lot more than a piece of empty ground where people haphazardly park their cars.”
“This time of year it is really wet and that leads to all sorts of problems,” said Johnston. “
“Increasing the size of that lot will lead to increases in traffic on that road,” commented Councilperson Roland Mason. “Since it is a county road, have you approached the county about improving the road? That might be needed in the future.”
“We have had some discussions with the county,” said Johnston. “The bigger question is, do we eventually want to restrict access on that road? And if we do, how? It’s a county road. We need to have a bigger discussion on the overall goals for the traffic out there.”
“I have looked at the CE and I think the town does have a say in any improvements out there, including those being suggested for phase one,” said Councilperson Shaun Matusewicz. “That CE states that the parking area will be used by people who are otherwise unable to access the Lower Loop by non-motorized means. To me it’s very clear that parking lot is meant for the handicapped and the elderly. These improvements will drive more traffic out there and it won’t just be handicapped and elderly.”
“What we’re doing in phase one is improving the physical aspect of the parking lot,” said Johnston.
“If said improvements change the use of the parking lot then it becomes an attraction to people it wasn’t meant for,” said Matusewicz. “To me the original intent was for most people to use the Woods Walk or the boundary of town to access the rest of the Lower Loop.
“You asked if we want to restrict the use of the road out there,” Matusewicz continued. “To me, the answer is yes. I’d hate to see people encouraged to drive out there.”
“I can empathize with that point of view,” responded Johnston. “Giving people a level and easy place to hike and bike is important. We have some places already like that. The Rec Path is one example. The Lower Loop is another of those places. But legally, it is a road. Improving the parking lot doesn’t encourage people to drive on the road.”
“When looking at who should be able to use it, I’d also include people that have kids and strollers,” Mason said to Matusewicz. “It makes sense to me to allow them to drive there and have a Lower Loop experience. If they have to park in town, they won’t get even half way before turning around.”
“All the other potential parking areas leading there, like the end of Teocalli Avenue or the entrance to Trapper’s, have issues,” said Huckstep. “People will drive wherever they can unless you help guide them there.”
“I’d put ‘handicap and elderly only’ signs all over out there,” said Matusewicz. “Otherwise you’re just encouraging more driving out there.”
“I think the bigger picture discussion will be a long one,” said Johnston. “The discussion of balance and use and growth and how to manage it all.”
“Things have changed a lot since we first did this,” stated Councilperson Jim Schmidt. “The Lower Loop is one of the best beginner trails out here. I haven’t noticed a lot of people abusing it. We might be over-thinking this one.”
“The original intent of that lot was for the handicapped and elderly,” re-emphasized Matusewicz.
Speaking as a private citizen, town building and zoning director Bob Gillie said he doesn’t like the proposed improvements. “The question is where does the Lower Loop begin? Is it at the Peanut Mine site or is it at the edge of town? That road is heavily used by pedestrians and dog walkers,” he said. “Why discourage an existing use to encourage more traffic? This is a heavily used pedestrian corridor from town.”
Gillie admitted the current parking lot was in bad shape and could use some work. “The larger discussion is, where does the trailhead begin? Is it by town or a mile from town? That’s the larger discussion to have.”
“The signs will be a huge upgrade,” said Jones. “Having educational and informative displays at the trailhead will enhance the user experience. There is no conflict with the original CE. The genie is out of the bottle. You can’t keep the Lower Loop a secret. Moving forward and allowing more discussion for phase 2 is a responsible way to go.”
“The signage is great and I’m a big advocate of the Land Trust but the Lower Loop begins in town,” said Matusewicz. “That’s where the effort should be. This increases the use of the road but there won’t be any increase in the use of the land.”
In a testy exchange with Huckstep, Matusewicz asked that town attorney John Belkin be allowed to render an opinion on the CE and whether the town should be able to have a controlling influence on the parking lot improvements. Huckstep asked if the rest of the council felt the same and no one agreed with the Matusewicz position.
The new signs and lot improvements will take place in June.