Cozens Ranch Open Space

FRASER RIVER CORRIDOR MASTER PLAN 

Introduction 

This page is dedicated to the Fraser River Corridor Master Plan completed in April 2018 with funding from a Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Planning Grant.  The 120-acre Cozens Ranch Open Space incorporates the largest intact piece of healthy riparian habitat in the Town of Fraser and Winter Park. It contains over 3 miles of the Fraser River, an expansive floodplain that serves as critical wildlife habitat, and provides important recreational amenities for residents and visitors of the Town of Fraser.   

Master Plan Purpose

The purpose of this Master Plan was to create a community driven vision for Cozens Ranch Open Space that identified needs, goals and strategies to activate this under utilized 120 acre open space asset. To achieve this vision, the Master Plan used public input and technical analysis to create the following goals which strive to balance preservation of this natural resource  with activation of the Fraser River area through enhanced recreational amenities.

GOAL #1: Create an implementable community driven vision for Cozens Ranch Open Space that identifies open space needs, goals and strategies to activate this under-utilized 120-acre open space asset and acquire additional funding with project partners for priority projects in 2018.
GOAL #2: Build a consensus for the planning effort with the desired outcome of protecting the land, river and wildlife while increasing river access, recreational activities and educational opportunities in order to connect residents and visitors to the beauty and serenity of the Fraser River.
GOAL #3: Protect, connect and inspire.
GOAL #4: Use the Fraser River Corridor as a major local and regional asset to expand the existing tourist industry and to build and support economic diversification.
GOAL #5: Develop a balance between recreation and preservation to create a successful river corridor in Cozens Ranch Open Space.
GOAL #6: Activate the Lions Ponds area through the creation of a safe, visible riverside park, which provides ADA accessible
opportunities that support the inclusion of all user groups.
GOAL #7: Improve parking within and enhance public transportation to get to the project area.
GOAL #8: Increase internal pedestrian and bicycle circulation through the creation of looped trails and trail connections to adjacent neighborhoods in the Fraser Valley.
GOAL #9: Increase user safety by minimizing conflicts between user groups, improve visibility and reduce pedestrian and wildlife conflicts.
GOAL #10: Reduce pet waste in order to improve quality of the open space experience and mitigate the negative impact on water quality.

For more information regarding the Master Plan and succeeding projects. Go to Fraser River Corridor Master Plan. Future plans also include a proposed amphitheater/ outdoor event space and a natural playground to be located adjacent to the North Lion Pond. 

Master Plan Progress

• Initial Pilot Project: Reconstruction of the trails around the Lions Ponds to improve ADA access and the planting of 50+ shade trees around the ponds
• Pedestrian bridge connecting the Fraser River Trail with the Lions Ponds area
• Improved cross-country ski grooming
• Bathrooms adjacent to the Lions Ponds (completed fall 2023)
• Marianne's Trail connects to the Fraser River Trail, providing a loop trail around the Cozens Ranch Open Space (completed spring 2024)

Coming Next! 

• Fraser Bike Park ( summer/ fall 2025, funding permitting)
• Parking Lot
• Conservation Easement

Fraser Bike Park

As part of the Fraser River Corridor Master Plan, which calls to develop recreational amenities in a riverside park area near the Lions Ponds, the Town of Fraser seeks to construct bike skills trails in the Cozens Ranch Open Space to be open to all users free of charge. The Fraser Bike Skills Trails will include approximately 1,800 linear feet of beginner through intermediate dirt skill trails, 1,000 linear feet of dirt connector trails, and 1,680 square feet of paved asphalt pump trails. The trails will be open to all users and designed to include all ability levels, from the smallest riders on striders and trikes to more advanced riders. Skill features are intended for adaptive and able-bodied riders to provide a progression of skills from beginner through intermediate and more advanced features. As riders build their skills and grow more comfortable on mountain bikes, the trails will serve as a stepping stone, allowing riders to better take advantage of other area trails located further out. The project will also feature a central trailhead hub with seating, shade areas, bike repair stations, signage, and natural play features, providing a gathering and resting place for bikers and all users of the surrounding multi-use trails and open space.

Since Fall 2023, the Town of Fraser has been working with American Ramp Company to design a bike park adjacent to the South Lions Pond. After a community survey seeking design input, an initial bike park design was presented to the community and the Fraser Board of Trustees in January 2024. A slight redesign was presented and approved at the July 17th, 2024, Board meeting. Now that our conceptual design is approved, we are working on sprucing up a few of the kids' bicycle playground features to make them more unique to Fraser, and....  

We are actively seeking funding to make our bike park a reality! The Fraser Board of Trustees has committed $300,000 to the project (FY24 & 25). Town staff are actively working on grant applications, seeking commitments from our project partners, and fundraising within the community.  Any donations will help make our bike park a reality! 

What's happened so far:

• The contract for bike park construction was awarded to Avid Trails in late 2024 

• The Board approved the new concept in February 2025 

• Ground Breaking: target- June 2025
  
  

Thank You to Our Trailblazers:

• Headwaters Trail Alliance (HTA)

• Fraser Valley Metropolitan Recreation District

• Fraser Valley Mountain Bike Alliance (FVMBT)

• Trestle Bike Park

• Skinny Traffic Trails

DONATE NOW TO HELP FUND THE BIKE PARK!

Click the link above to make a donation of any amount. Headwaters Trail Alliance (HTA) receives donations for the bike park, which may be tax-deductible.