Marolt / Thomas Skill Trail

A bit of history on why this location has been studied for this Skills Trails project:
-2019: 'The Strip’ was suggested by City of Aspen Parks staff as a potential location worth studying. RFMBA followed up, and found the topography and more to have great potential.
-2021: Marolt OS Management Plan Update, following the City's extensive public feedback process, the plan was adopted with the potential for a ‘bike park’ at this location. (Often a bike park will include amenities such as a pump track, dirt jumps, and more. The vision for 'skills trails' in this location is a much more limited proposal that aims to respect 'the strip', retaining a majority of the vegetation in the area.)
-2022: Aspen OS&T Board identified this project as a priority project for study during 2023.
-2023: RFMBA worked with City staff & consultants to further develop the proposal for these Skills Trails. City scheduled meetings and a survey for public feedback, confirming broad support for future construction of the trails.
-2024: Continued planning for the project's construction includes a wildlife assessment that concludes with the following paragraphs:
"Our 2019 and 2024 field surveys found that although Thomas / Marolt is heavily used by people it is still used by wildlife that tend to be more human-adapted. In other words, species such as American robins, chickadees, coyotes, magpies, rabbits, and small mammals have demonstrated an adaptability to persist despite human activity and alteration of native habitat. Additionally, both elk and mule deer continue to use the property in limited numbers and manner. The property is also likely used by raptors such as red-tailed hawks, great-horned owls, northern pygmy owls, and saw-whet owls who prey on the abundant small mammals at Thomas / Marolt.
The project area, however, is a very small patch (< 6 ac) of native montane shrubland dominated by Saskatoon serviceberry (Amalanchier alnifolia) and Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii). Given the landscape in which the project area is embedded, however, with Meadowood and the Aspen Valley Hospital and Pitkin County Senior Services complexes to the west, and Marolt Place to the east, the project area is quite isolated with very limited value for wildlife movement. Development of the proposed skills trails within the project area will result in the direct loss of a small area of a native plant community with minimal value for wildlife and is unlikely to cause any indirect loss of valuable habitat."

It is known that this parcel was chosen because of "least resistance of property owners. Please note this Skill park is tragic for the deer and wildlife. Many are born here. Please let the children know that theïr few weeks of pleasure are taking the wildlife nurseries. We do not need anymore bike parks.
Adding a new project is a known politcal win to get funds donated. But leaving the land untouched will benefit Everyone!
Please do not move forward with project.
Wildlife cannot speak on these surveys.
Please leave some land parcels Untouched in Aspen.
Bridget Balentine

Many members of the community are strongly OPPOSED to this proposed project but haven't taken the time to express their concerns. Let's keep the open space pristine as was the original intention. Does this project entail a vote by Council to rezone the parcel?

Thank you! This project would be a much needed addition to the upper valley to get kids into mountain biking. Our amazing existing trails are too hard and technical for beginners, especially for the 10y and under kids. And location near many of our schools is brilliant. I hope we get this under way soon!

Thanks, so excited!!!
I have kids and I think this would be great for beginners and kids that get tired on long uphills.

Any plans for Restrooms? portable potty?

Great work on this, team! My family is excited for this new addition to Marolt!