OSMP Featured Volunteers: Mitch Smith & Chuck Anderson

The Boulder Mountain Bike Patrol is a multi-agency program with the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP), Boulder County Parks and Open Space (BCPOS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), City of Boulder Parks and Recreation, and Boulder Mountainbike Alliance (BMA). Patrollers ride trails, assisting and educating mountain bikers and other park users. The goal is to promote a positive recreational experience on the trails.

1. What’s your favorite thing to do on open space? Where?

My favorite open space activities are mountain biking and hiking. Though while out on the trails I take lots of time to enjoy the scenery, wildlife, geology and history. I spend most of my time on the trails in the Marshall Mesa/Doudy Draw area though I also spend time on the trails around the Flatirons and Boulder Valley Ranch.

2. What’s the most interesting fact you’ve learned since you started volunteering for OSMP?

While riding the Marshall Valley Trail for the first time I thought I spotted coal along the trail. Despite my background in geology, I knew nothing about coal mining in this part of Colorado so I was very curious. Soon as I returned home, I searched the internet and found OSMP and other resources on the area's mining history. It's fascinating!

3. What skill(s) did you learn while volunteering with us?

The most useful skills are in the area of interpersonal communication and conflict resolution. Thankfully they are not skills I use a lot as a volunteer, but coming across someone who is not happy despite being out in open space always catches me off guard. The training and practice I've received as a volunteer really helps me handle those encounters in a safe and productive way.

4. What’s a favorite memory from volunteering?

My favorite memory comes from bike patrolling on Doudy Draw. I came up behind a group of 4 horse riders heading down the steep portion of Doudy Draw Trail. There was no place for them to get off the trail until they reached the bottom. We talked a bit and we agreed I would hold downhill bike traffic until I saw they were safely off the trail at the bottom. While waiting 2 other bike riders came up behind me. I stopped them and we had a great talk about riding our bikes and sharing the trails with others. Eventually the horses safely made it to the bottom, the other bikers went on, and when I reached the bottom I had another great chat with the horse riders. Everyone was happy and having a great day out on the trails.

5. Is there anything else you would like to share?

With the stress and chaos of the modern world it's easy to lose sight of the magical place where we live. Remember to get outside and enjoy!

Mitch Smith has been volunteering since 2008 and has logged over 3,500 hours as an OSMP volunteer bike ambassador! He also served as the bike patrol director for a few years.

1. What’s your favorite thing to do on open space? Where?

Volunteering on my bike on Marshall Mesa. So many fun trails with different difficulties. Next is hiking on the trails around NCAR.

2. What’s the most interesting facts you’ve learned since you started volunteering for OSMP?

The number of dragonfly species in the Front Range. So cool.

3. What skill(s) did you learn while volunteering with us?

The #1 skill is how to communicate with visitors. Whether it be answering questions about trail conditions, gently letting them know about regulations, providing directions, etc.. I am the voice of Open Space when I interact with them. The #2 skill is being prepared. I bring extra water and snacks, keep my first aid kit current, and have a space blanket and splint.

4. What's a favorite memory from volunteering?

My first memory was giving directions to equestrians on my first volunteer ride. I remember feeling that I am here for all visitors.

My favorite memory was getting cheers from visitors when I shooed a rattlesnake from the Doudy Draw trail. Many of them had dogs. I turned my bike around, held my seat post and front post while I was in front of my front tire, and then used my back tire to gently shoo the rattlesnake from the trail.

5. Anything else you'd like to share?

Please share that I enjoy when visitors open a gate for me. They notice my placard and are very kind. Also, I get the occasional complement for volunteering.

View our previous Volunteer Spotlight on Boulder Natural Highs & Light Root Community Farm.