In recent years the Alderfer / Three Sisters Open Space in Jefferson County has seen an influx of
visitorship. This increase in popularity has resulted in cars parking on adjacent roads causing safety
concerns for the surrounding community and park visitors alike. Valerian was contracted to assist in
the design of a new parking lot, trail head and restroom area, and associated trail improvements. The
project includes the decommissioning of an old dirt parking lot and the preservation of the historic
Alderfer barn.
Valerian worked with Jefferson County Open Space (JCOS), the project architect, and engineer
to develop the site plan improvements for the Alderfer Trailhead. Valerian worked through the concept
design of the site amenities to orient the parking lot and restroom in a way that preserved the existing
viewsheds and honored the historic barn. As a part of this process, Valerian created Lumion
graphics of the project site to fully portray the potential impact to the viewshed and the existing natural
features. Once the overall concept design was settled on, Valerian coordinated with the project engineer to develop the parking lot into a permeable paver lot to meet the water quality needs of the site. Valerian has developed the planting plan for the site using native plant material and has detailed site specific trailhead amenities. The project is slated to begin construction in fall of 2023.