Buttonrock popularity great for tourists; not so much for this Longmont Dam Road resident

I'm glad to see city's efforts toward data collection and surveys around sustaining Buttonrock Preserve for wildlife and visitors. If you want to truly understand the total impact, I'd strongly encourage that the data gathering extend to the people who bear the brunt of the explosive growth of traffic; that is the people who live on Longmont Dam Road (LDR).

As a homeowner on LDR since the 70's, I've experienced all the downsides that come with such popularity:

On weekends, between 80 - 120 cars per hour driving by
This number is not large for a highway, but for this narrow dirt road it is extraordinarily congested. A walk on the road—once one of the most enjoyable things a resident could do up here—is no longer pleasurable, nor is it safe.

Cars speeding and kicking up clouds of dust from the dirt road
Many times I've had to jump to dodge cars barreling down at me while I walked my dog, so I no longer take walks on this road unless it is in the earliest morning hours on weekdays. Also, the sheer amount of dust that is kicked up by so many cars leaves thick films of dust on my car, on my house, in my house, and makes it so that it's no longer a pleasure to sit outside on lawn chairs and listen to the river on weekends.

Dogs barking from cars
It's not uncommon for dogs to be sticking their heads out of the car windows and barking while they drive by. This starts our neighborhood dogs barking (including my own) which does not make for a peaceful weekend.

Cars parking in front of my house in designated no-parking areas
Many people tend to disregard signs when visiting this area. This attracts other people to park in the same area and increases the number of people who trespass on my property.

People trespassing on my property leaving waste, trash, and risking lives
I can't tell you how many times over the course of a week I'll see people literally stepping over my no-trespassing signs to walk by the river. They bring their families—including toddlers left alone to wander along the edge of the river when it is high in the spring—they drop their cigarette butts, they bring their dogs and don't bother picking up their waste, and they leave their beer cans and coffee cups.

Antagonistic trespassers who don't want to be told to leave private property
It is not fun having to tell people to leave your property. While most people peacefully leave when asked, the number of people who react with anger or frustration is surprisingly high. Enough so that I have been afraid at times for my safety. Over the years, I've even had people helping themselves to my fruit trees and become outraged when I tell them they can't keep the fruit.

As you might imagine with this much traffic and influx of people, the list can go on. My main concern is that the city will make decisions about the preserve only based on wildlife impact and a survey of potential visitors. I believe it is essential that you also speak to the residents about what they are experiencing, especially those who live close to the road. Thank you.