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News briefs

911 observance is Friday

The Aspen Fire Department will host a public ceremony to remember the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at noon Friday.

The observance will be held at the Aspen Fire Station, 420 E. Hopkins Ave., in downtown Aspen.



Segment of East of Aspen Trail to close

The boardwalk portion of the East of Aspen Trail will be closed Monday and Tuesday while repair work begins on buckled sections of the structure.




The boardwalk carries the bike/pedestrian trail over wetland areas, southeast of Aspen. The East of Aspen Trail connects Aspen and Difficult Campground — a distance of about 5 miles — providing an alternative to travel on adjacent Highway 82. Users will be detoured onto the roadway, at both ends of the boardwalk, during the repair work. The remainder of the trail will be open.

Feedback sought for Wheetley Open Space

Public comment is now being accepted on a draft management plan for Wheatley Open Space, a 105-acre property in lower Snowmass Canyon.

The draft plan was presented Sept. 1 to the Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Board. It will be open to public comment through Oct. 16. Interested citizens can find the plan, and an online comment form, at http://www.pitkinostprojects.com (click on the Wheatley link).

The property was purchased as open space with the goal of preserving wildlife habitat, local agriculture and scenic quality, and providing recreational access. The property is easily visible from Highway 82 at the entrance to Snowmass Canyon in Old Snowmass. The Rio Grande Trail, Lower River Road and the Roaring Fork River cross through the parcel. The property encompasses roughly 2,900 feet of river frontage. The land also offers hiking access to Wheatley Gulch, which leads to Bureau of Land Management property to the north.

The draft management plan proposes little change to existing conditions and uses of the open space. Seasonal closures are proposed for wildlife. As proposed, public access is limited to Wheatley Gulch, paths to the river on either side of Highway 82 and a rocky beach area. Recreation also is accommodated on the Rio Grande Trail, though the trail corridor is not part of the open space.

About 24 acres of Wheatley Open Space are irrigated; they will be incorporated into the county’s agricultural lease program.

Aspen Valley Land Trust holds a conservation easement over the open space.