The primary circulation route is the multiple-use Boulder Creek Greenway on the site's north edges. A secondary soft surface trail is adjacent to Boulder Creek. Boulder Creek Greenway's trail connects multiple park units and is heavily used within the Boulder public park system. Boulder Creek Greenway was widened in 2017 to accommodate pedestrian traffic. A spur pathway was built near the original Ore House. The soft surface trail provides direct access to Boulder Creek, near extant archeological features including remnants of water line pylons and a portion of the concrete dam.
Remnant small-scale features are along the soft surface trail. The soft surface trail varies in width and is rutted in some locations. This trail does not meet ADA accessibility requirements.
Boulder Creek Greenway is a multiple-use concrete pathway that connects Boyd Smelter/Mill Site to other City of Boulder park properties. The open field where the smelter and mill were located is adjacent to this trail. Structures Waterline Supports - Three stone pylons are remnants of a waterline support that historically crossed Boulder Creek. Two pylons are on the south bank of Boulder Creek on private property. The northernmost pylon has steel girders and is accessible from the soft surface trail. The northernmost pylon has been vandalized. Refer to structural condition for additional analysis. Concrete Dam with Headgate - Several dams and headgates diverted water from Boulder Creek into Boyd Smelter/Mill Site's reservoirs. The westernmost dam and headgate provided direct egress into Boulder Creek. Previous studies indicate that other dams and headgates still remain in their original locations. The concrete dam with headgate has been vandalized. Refer to structural conditions for additional analysis. Archeological Features Boyd Smelter/Mill Site is a significant archeological site. Archeological features associated with smelting and milling operations remain above and below-grade including ruins of a narrow-gauge railroad that once serviced industrial operations on site, dam headwalls that controlled water entering the site through the reservoirs, and remnants of the historic water line. Building foundations are extant below-grade.
The 2017 excavation during the expansion of the Boulder Creek Greenway uncovered foundation walls, a concrete floor, building materials, and industrial and domestic refuse. 26
Figure 1-4. Boulder Creek Greenway, 2020 (source: Mundus Bishop)
Figure 1-5. Soft surface trail, 2020 (source: Mundus Bishop)
26 Abigail Sanocki, "Boulder Creek Improvements,"1-2.
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Boyd Smelter/Mill Site
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