HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 07/16/2024 - Memorandum from Dave “DK” Kemp re Council follow-up: Mail Creek Trail
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Park Planning &
Development Department
215 N Mason St
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970-416-2192
fcgov.com/parkplanning
MEMORANDUM
Date: June 28, 2024
To: Mayor and City Council
Through: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Tyler Marr, Deputy City Manager
Dean Klingner, Community Services Director
From: Dave “DK” Kemp, Senior Trails Planner
Subject: Council follow-up: Mail Creek Trail
The purpose of this memo is to provide a response to questions posed during the June 25, 2024
Council Work Session regarding the newly constructed Mail Creek Trail.
Question #1: What design considerations does the City use to protect and enhance
wildlife when trails are constructed near riparian corridors?
Staff incorporates the planning for and protection of wildlife habitat when designing and
constructing trails near or along riparian corridors, and in most situations will provide a generous
buffer between the trail and waterway. We have been successful over time designing and
constructing trails like the Poudre River Trail away from the waterway where large areas of
undeveloped property is available. When constructing trails along an irrigation ditch or along
more constrained riparian corridors, i.e., Spring Creek, staff is often challenged by physical
constraints and imposing property lines which leads to the trail being constructed closer to the
waterway. In addition to buffers, other wildlife-friendly aspects of project design can include
native and pollinator-friendly plantings, reduction of erosion and restoration of stream/ditch
banks.
Question #2: In the case of Mail Creek, specifically, why is the trail located close to the
irrigation ditch?
The eastern section of the Mail Creek Ditch was relocated approximately 20’ to the north in
order to accommodate the trail between the ditch and the existing Bacon Elementary School
fence/property line. This constraint limited the ability to create a wider buffer along the school
property. The future Schoolside Park will border Timberline Road. As a result, maintaining the
proximity of the trail near the ditch allows flexibility to design the active spaces in the park away
from the roadway.
Docusign Envelope ID: 2306D0F9-011D-4301-BDA2-EE9CC7F79B85
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It is staff’s assessment that the relocation of the Mail Creek Ditch will
significantly enhance the wildlife habitat along the trail/riparian corridor. The banks of the
original ditch had been severely scoured which caused steep side slopes. The New Mercer
Ditch Company had placed large chunks of concrete along the banks to prevent future erosion;
however, the issue persisted.
The newly designed and constructed relocated ditch now features more gradual slopes which
provides bank stabilization, supports the growth of vegetation, and will improve the wildlife
habitat. Additionally, the new design enhances safety for trail users by removing steep drop offs
into the irrigation ditch.
Question #3: What is the vegetation restoration plan?
The vegetation restoration plan for this trail includes a mix of native grasses and wildflowers
specifically designed for the area and approved by the Natural Areas Department. The species
included in this mix consist of the following species:
Wildflowers
• Plains Coreopsis
• Purple Prairie Clover
• Indian Blanketflower
• Rocky Mountain Penstemon
• Mexican Hat
Grasses
• Indian Ricegrass
• Sideoats Grama
• Buffalograss
• Blue Grama
• Bottlebrush Squirreltail
• Prairie Junegrass
• Green Needlegrass
• Switchgrass
• Western Wheatgrass
• Sand Dropseed
The seed mix will restore and enhance the natural habitat of the trail area as well as contribute
to healthy pollination. In addition to the native grass, ten trees were planted on Kechter Farms
neighborhood to mitigate the trees that needed to be removed for the project.
cc: Mike Calhoon, Parks Director
Jill Wuertz, Sr. Manager Park Planning and Development
Greg Oakes, Landscape Architect
Docusign Envelope ID: 2306D0F9-011D-4301-BDA2-EE9CC7F79B85