Wonderland Lake Integrated Site Project (ISP)

Current Phase
Implement

Project Overview

The Wonderland Lake ISP area includes the Wonderland Lake Loop Trail (on OSMP lands) and area that encircles Wonderland Lake, and the Wonderland Lake Trailhead, with associated Foothills Nature Center. Map of the Wonderland Lake ISP project area PDF.

This ISP does not include the trail improvements identified in the North Trail Study Area (TSA) PDF for the foothills west and north of the lake.

Implementation of ISP Preferred Package of Actions

The City of Boulder’s Open Space Board of Trustees have recommended that Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) advance the preferred package of actions into detailed design and execution over the coming years. An overview of the phased approach to implementation is below:

Wonderland Lake
ISP Action
Next Mid-Term Long-Term
Prohibit boats and belly boats X
Allow ice skating at own risk X
Sledding remains prohibited X
Name change X
Lake fish and amphibian habitat X X X
Renovate F.N.C. X X
Public restrooms X X
Regulatory closure X X
Restore peninsula habitat X
Restore shoreline peninsula habitat and visitor waterfront experience X
Add interpretive signage X
Update regulatory signs X
Add temporary peninsula restoration education signage X
Bring trails up to accessibility standards X X
Learning laboratory X X
Replace kiosk and signs X
Minor parking lot reconfiguration X
Update trailhead bike racks X
Small group gathering area X
Designate and construct 1-2 fishing rocky steps X
Extend fencing along spillway X
Southwestern access point relocation or add vehicle turnaround X
Designate northwest and southeast access points X
Bring existing northeast Utica access point up to standards X

More detailed information on the proposed actions is available in the October Board Memo PDF and presentation PDF.

The city manager, upon the board recommendation, also approved a community proposal to change the name of the entire Wonderland Lake area to Wonderland Lake Wildlife Sanctuary.