As a resident of Eagle-Vail, CO, I write this petition with a heavy heart. The EagleVail trail is not just a path cutting through our community; it's an integral element that allows those of us in the community to use the trail without the crowds of more accessible trails and it nurtures local wildlife like our resident bears, moose, deer, foxes and so much more. Plans to extend this trail to the Beaver Creek parking lot at the Avon roundabout profoundly concern us. This project is already in the FINAL approval process with the US forest service and it was never even communicated to us of EagleVail.

The anticipated excessive foot and mountain bike traffic poses an imminent threat to our local wildlife. It's known that a surge in human activity can cause animals to abandon their natural habitats, contributing to decreased biodiversity (Source: Journal of Experimental Biology). Moreover, the increased use of the trail heightens the likelihood of fires which pose a significant risk to our community. Every year on average, more than 100,000 wildfires occur in the US (Source: National Park Service), with Colorado witnessing an increasing number of these incidents in recent years.

This trail is a tranquil escape for residents, a peaceful refuge from the busyness of life. The expected influx of visitors would drastically affect its serene nature and our communal quality of life. The charm of Eagle-Vail and the life it supports is at stake. We must reconsider the expansion of the trail to the Beaver Creek parking lot.

Kindly support this cause. Protect our community, our wildlife, and the spirit of Eagle-Vail. Sign this petition today. NO DONATION NEEDED, donations are for change.org and unrelated to the EagleVail trail. 

More information here: https://www.vaildaily.com/news/extension-of-eaglevail-trail-just-needs-u-s-forest-service-approval-now/