Making Boulder walkable; moving trailhead parking lot; supporting dog rescues

Jerry Shapins: Development: We can make Boulder a walkable city

Thank you so much to the Community Editorial Board for weighing in on the long-held Boulder opinion that a walkable neighborhood is healthy, a good pattern for sustainable urban growth, and in this community, a remarkable way to strengthen equitable lifestyles! I particularly was delighted that all three comments focused on the big picture changes we need regarding zoning reform, housing, mixed-use destination nodes, and most importantly, re-envisioning a denser city for all that encourages people to live, work, play and shop close to home! Imagine, if we make Boulder green and thriving, then we can make a walkable city!

Jerry Shapins, Boulder

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D.G. Friend and G.C. Paul: Open space: Proposed trailhead parking lot should be moved to U.S. 287

While the East Boulder Creek (EBC) trail project may provide opportunities for recreation to our community, there are problems with the current proposal, primarily associated with infringement on wildlife habitat in sensitive riparian and wetland areas. Such issues have been discussed in these pages. Further, the proposed trailhead parking at the western terminus of the planned trail has caused significant neighborhood consternation, but this problem is more easily solved.

Moving the proposed parking lot access from 109th St. to Highway 287 has a number of advantages. It would allow direct access from an existing RTD bus route, enhancing economic equity and furthering handicapped access. You shouldn’t need a car to access the Boulder County trail system!

As plans develop for the nearby Boulder to Erie Regional Trail (BERT, formerly “Rails to Trails”), an infrastructure for crossing Highway 287 is needed: a parking area near 287 serving both trails could save money and serve multiple purposes. Considering that a merged parking lot could also contribute to the county’s Vision Zero plan for this stretch of highway, which also considers public transit, accessing the EBC trail from Highway 287 makes considerable sense.

The area along Highway 287 west of the currently proposed parking lot is already seriously degraded from an oil and gas project: moving the proposed parking lot, with access from Highway 287, would result in reduced disturbance to vegetation and essentially eliminate neighborhood concerns.

As the current plans for the EBC trail project are amended, we urge that incorporating a parking lot accessed from Highway 287 be seriously considered. A parking lot on 109th St. would be a mistake.

D.G. Friend and G.C. Paul, Lafayette

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Marilyn Whittaker: Pets: Support dog rescues and consider adoption

I have noticed cartoonist Patrick O’Donnell in the Daily Camera is featuring a cartoon series showing a chained-up bulldog that has been abandoned by his owner who has moved away. As awful as this seems, this event actually can be very true. Years ago, I witnessed a similar event just across a parkway where an untied dog was left. It stayed on the back porch area and howled and barked much of the day until finally someone came over and took the dog away. I surely hope to a loving home or a rescue. I know from a PBS documentary that Mr. O’Donnell is active in his home state rescue with hands-on assistance and funding.

I have a rescue dog from Kansas who was a puppy mill bitch until age 8. Fortunately, her owner gave her to their local shelter and Golden Retriever Freedom Rescue took her to Colorado where she was surrendered to me after extensive vetting. She is my first rescue adoption and it has been wonderful to watch as she finally becomes a real dog who can roll in the snow and bound up to people for pats. Only New York State has prohibited puppy mill trafficking although some local ordinances are instigating this practice through their legislation. The Humane Society has been active in these endeavors. Think about a rescue and see how they become so very happy once established.

Marilyn Whittaker, Boulder