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Consultation has concluded
PROJECT UPDATE: To read the Button Rock Preserve Management Plan, go to the News tab below.
Overview
Button Rock Preserve is located 7 miles west of the town of Lyons in the lower montane foothills of the St. Vrain Creek watershed. A section of the North St. Vrain Creek runs through the eastern third of the Preserve and elevations range from 6,000 feet to almost 7,500 feet. The City of Longmont purchased the Preserve primarily to protect and maintain the main municipal drinking water source for Longmont and Lyons. The area also functions as a nature preserve to protect the fragile watershed and allow limited passive recreational opportunities.
Today, the Preserve is 2,671 acres and public recreation activities include passive recreational activities such as fishing, fly-fishing, rock climbing, hiking, wildlife observation, and dog walking.
Visitation and Use of the Preserve
As visitation continues to increase, the need to balance resource protection with passive recreation has become critical. Visitation policies were developed starting in the 1960s and 1970s and were substantially updated in the 1990s. We are evaluating current regulations to determine if they still align with the Preserve’s present-day management needs. Through the Caring for Button Rock Preserve project, a management plan will be developed and adopted as a foundation for long-term sustainable, adaptive management of Preserve resources based on best available information.
Visitation Through the Years
In 2021, the Preserve received more than four times the number of annual visitors than it did in 2000.
1988: 3,200 people
2000: 13,000 people
2012: 31,000 people
2020: 71,000 people
2021: 58,000 people
The Button Rock Management Plan
The Button Rock Preserve Management Plan provides specific management direction in the areas of:
water quality protection
natural and cultural resource protection
existing infrastructure and improvements
recreation
rules and regulations
PROJECT UPDATE: To read the Button Rock Preserve Management Plan, go to the News tab below.
Overview
Button Rock Preserve is located 7 miles west of the town of Lyons in the lower montane foothills of the St. Vrain Creek watershed. A section of the North St. Vrain Creek runs through the eastern third of the Preserve and elevations range from 6,000 feet to almost 7,500 feet. The City of Longmont purchased the Preserve primarily to protect and maintain the main municipal drinking water source for Longmont and Lyons. The area also functions as a nature preserve to protect the fragile watershed and allow limited passive recreational opportunities.
Today, the Preserve is 2,671 acres and public recreation activities include passive recreational activities such as fishing, fly-fishing, rock climbing, hiking, wildlife observation, and dog walking.
Visitation and Use of the Preserve
As visitation continues to increase, the need to balance resource protection with passive recreation has become critical. Visitation policies were developed starting in the 1960s and 1970s and were substantially updated in the 1990s. We are evaluating current regulations to determine if they still align with the Preserve’s present-day management needs. Through the Caring for Button Rock Preserve project, a management plan will be developed and adopted as a foundation for long-term sustainable, adaptive management of Preserve resources based on best available information.
Visitation Through the Years
In 2021, the Preserve received more than four times the number of annual visitors than it did in 2000.
1988: 3,200 people
2000: 13,000 people
2012: 31,000 people
2020: 71,000 people
2021: 58,000 people
The Button Rock Management Plan
The Button Rock Preserve Management Plan provides specific management direction in the areas of:
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CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
On May 1, 2019, Longmont City Council directed staff to implement new rules requiring all dogs be on leash when in the Preserve and allowing only one dog per visitor. These rules grew out of increased visitation to the preserve and concerns for the health of the watershed. The need to balance resource protection with passive recreation has become critical.
The interim rules will remain in place until the final Button Rock Preserve Management Plan is adopted, likely in the latter part of 2020. Research, feedback and findings in development of that plan will be used to determine the future dog visitation policy.
Other regional parks and open spaces in the area may offer different leash laws. The City encourages residents to explore any and all options available. Below are links to a few of these options.
Caring for Button Rock Preserve has finished this stage
Analysis, Recommendations & Plan Development
Caring for Button Rock Preserve has finished this stage
Plan Acceptance
Caring for Button Rock Preserve has finished this stage
Next Steps
Caring for Button Rock Preserve is currently at this stage
Videos
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50th anniversary of Button Rock Preserve & Ralph Price Reservoir
In 2019, The City of Longmont celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Button Rock Preserve and Ralph Price Reservoir dedication.