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In a town that has limited open land available, inevitably any expansion of one activity impacts another....
As part of a Golf Course Improvements project, it looks like things may be going potentially astray. It appears that the project consultant/architect is driving towards a redesign of the Golf Course that could potentially eliminated/realign some important trail sections from our incredible county trail system, the Jewel of Los Alamos.
Our most important resource for recreation in Los Alamos is our trail system. Our trail system is world class with vistas that are spectacular. It would be truly a great mistake to damage our amazing trail system.
On December 8th there will be a meeting to discuss this Golf Course project and potential trail impacts. If you care about the trails and want trail users' voices to be heard .... be there Thursday 5:30pm - Pajarito Room, Fuller Lodge (note change in location).
There may be absolutely nothing to worry about. It could be that the realignment of trails around the new greens will be pretty much a non-event. What is worrying is that it looks like the planning so far has not considered what to do about trails. This is a massively troubling sign and could indicate the typical Los Alamos "worry about it later" attitude that typically leads to trouble for those expecting action.
It may be important to attend this meeting in order to make sure our trails aren't left in the dust. Questions need to be answered such as: (1) are trail realignment costs included in the price, (2) what are the plans for trail realignment, (3) where are the detailed design and drawings for realignment, (4) what citizens group(s) will be involved in the trail realignment and (5) what is the project schedule for realignment?
It may turn out the these issues will be taken care of adequately and there is really no reason to be concerned. But, what if it doesn't turn out that way? It's probably prudent to attend the meeting and make sure that what needs to be addressed is addressed. The public must insist that the trails be considered an integral part of the planning and design and not just an afterthought.
A detailed announcement of this meeting is found at the bottom of this post.
The following message came from a trail user and member of the South West Nordic Ski Club:
Sent: Friday, December 2, 2011 11:14 AM
Subject: [swnordicski-members] Loss of more trails in Los Alamos?
Hey, Los Alamos trail users!
Good post on the blog below to catch up on the golf course expansion plans vs resulting damage to the Walnut Canyon and other heavily used trails in that area.
If you can, try to come to the meeting ... Thu Dec 8th (more details in the post) to show your thoughts. As Khal points out, its our job as citizens to get involved in the process rather than get surprised and mad after all the decisions have been made.
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Golf Course Improvements Study
Meeting Announcement
"Golf Course Proposed Improvements:
Possible impacts on nearby trails"
This has been added as a Special Discussion Topic at the beginning of the
Parks & Recreation Board Meeting on
Thursday, Dec. 8th
5:30 p.m.
Pajarito Rm, Fuller Lodge
NOTE the LOCATION CHANGE from the Training Rm at the Aquatic Center
The public is welcome to attend!
Project update as of November 29, 2011
A public meeting for the golf course improvement study was held November 16. The discussion topics of the meeting included challenges with the current golf course and potential golf course improvements.
The intent of the proposed improvements are to address existing safety issues of the course, replacement of the course irrigation system and associated water storage facility, and generally upgrade the overall course quality. Additional goals of the improvements are to create a more environmentally sustainable course, to enhance the adjacent trails, and to promote family programs and new tournaments that will bring increased revenue to the community.
There are currently four options being considered in this study which the County is seeking community input on. Option A proposes extending the course to the south while reconfiguring the driving range and four holes adjacent to it. This option addresses the safety issues associated with the driving range. Option B proposes extending the course to the south while reconfiguring the entire course layout and addressing safety issues throughout the course. Option C maintains the current configuration of the golf course and upgrades the irrigation and course quality. This option does not address any of the safety issues identified. The final option, Option D is a no action alternative.
There were citizen concerns about impacting the adjacent trails expressed during and after the November 16th public meeting about expanding the course to the south. The golf course architect and the County are aware of these concerns and there are plans for re-alignment of impacted trails, if necessary. The county is currently working with a stakeholder group to help address these concerns.
There will be additional opportunities to make public comment on the golf course improvements.
A presentation discussing the potentially impacted trails and exhibits showing their proposed re-alignment will be given to the Parks and Recreation Board at their next meeting on December 8th. The meeting is being held at Fuller Lodge (Pajarito Rm) at 5:30 pm. This is a public meeting.
The four options are described as follows:
Option "A"
o Address safety concerns along the driving range.
o Reflects the greatest in cost and timing efficiency.
o New Range and new holes #3, #4, #5.
o Everything else rebuilt in place.
o Needs netting along new overflow parking lot and edge of range.
o Reduced "Sustainability Plan", less opportunity for tournaments.
o Re-alignment of impacted trails by the expansion.
o Budget for Option "A"- $6,235,000.00
Option "B"
o Address safety concerns.
o All new greens, tees bunkers and fairways.
o Range moved to safer location.
o Overflow parking is re-located.
o New #16, #17 and #18 finish at clubhouse.
o Power lines are moved for golf.
o GC becomes an example of sustainability.
o Re-alignment of impacted trails by the expansion.
o Budget for Option "B"- $8,610,000.00
Option "C"
o Rebuilds course in place.
o New irrigation system.
o Additional water storage facility.
o Does not address safety concerns.
o Costs for this option are still being analyzed.
Option "D"
o No action taken.
o Course conditions remain as is.
o No costs associated with this option.
Description:
On December 7, 2010, County Council authorized staff to move forward with the CIP Phase I Study for the Golf Course Improvements project at the existing facility. The proposed study includes reviewing the current irrigation system, water storage, the feasibility of practice facility expansion to mitigate safety concerns, the re-routing of holes, cart path replacement and potential renovation of fairways, bunkers, greens and tees. Based on this physical review, a plan of course improvements will include but not be limited to: the cost of each of these components, a recommendation as to the most efficient and least disruptive and finally timing and phasing of the various components of the course improvements recommended.
The study team will also include a golf course analyst to review golf and maintenance operations, provide a market and economic assessment should these improvements be made as well as the number of rounds these improvements may generate. This analysis will also review what the appropriate maintenance budgets should be, in order to maintain the course in good condition.
A public meeting was held September 21, 2011, which primarily focused on gathering public feedback based on basic conceptual designs. The study, which is budgeted at $75,000, will provide planning, schematic design options, programming and a cost analysis for each of the tasks listed above.
What’s Next:
The intent is to complete and submit the CIP Phase II Application to the CIP Evaluation and Oversight Committee by January 2012.
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