The Breckenridge Fairy Forest
This was a major bucket list item of mine, but I snoozed, and loss. The city has “closed” the Fairy Forest. “Fairy Lives Don’t Matter” as per Will Smith’s humor in the movie “Bright”. They claim it is being revegetated, though that’s government speak for “you’re not welcome”. It’s a sad loss for Breckenridge, mainly because residential property owners, don’t want tourists or hikers invading their local trails, “polluting” it with kid-made art in this gully behind homes.
What it was like
Apparently it was an artistic fun-filled joyous space in nature for kids of all ages (and adults to) to embrace their imagination and creativity, creating homes for fairies, gnomes, elves, and creatures. Apparently someone maintained the neighborhood and protected the art from the snow and weather, where it would dissapear just before snow arrives, and magically appear in June again. But this time, it is said, it won’t be coming back. Supposedly the neighborhood changes dwellings every year as well, and it always looks different. Like a Fairy Burning Man city in miniature scale. “Leave no trace” during the winter periods, seems to be the rules, and no litter year round. But the city believes it’s all trash, and shouldn’t exist.
It is said it was started by a neighbor a few years ago and just kept growing. So I’m not sure how the forest is disliked by the human neighborhood around them. It’s gotta be the bias against outsiders or tourists that made it come to an end, much to the same degree as why the Breckenridge Troll had to move hoods.
Hopefully it will be reclaimed and rebuilt, not treated like a homeless camped being cleared out repeatedly by the government. Poor fairies. From Breckenridge, take 4 O’clock Road, park at the Snowflake Lift, hike down the Sawmill Trail 1.5 miles. Take right at end of Sawmill Trail, hike up a bit, take 2nd right, you’ll see the boardwalk to cross the creek. Turn right on Four O’Clock trail, trail will veer to left, and head up hill under the ski lift, across an open hill, and you made it.
The official word: City of Breckenridge said that due to the popularity of the area, damages were caused to the trail and surrounding forest. The single-track trail has expanded to 30′ width in some areas. Claims that many unnatural material including plastic has been left along the trail (though I’ve never seen such things in any published photos). They closed it Summer of 2020 to revegetate and reduce the trail back to a single track. The trail is now closed to public access. They state: “The single-track trail grew, in some areas, to 20-30 feet across. This resource damage has grown to the point that necessitates a trail closure. There are several critical reasons for this closure. First, extensive re-vegetation needs to be completed in the area. Second, the trail needs to be narrowed and re-worked with proper drainage and tread. Third, all unnatural materials need to be removed. This area has seen a lot of impacts, and now it needs time to heal and recover.” Officially the future of the Fairy Forest has come to an end. The Town of Breckenridge made the decision NOT to restore the installation. Because they do not own the land underneath Four O’Clock Trail, “we cannot construct or manage anything other than trail infrastructure”.
These Fairy forests exist in many places. There is one in Utah as well.
References:
- 9news n.d. “Fairy Forest is a Delightful Hike for Toddlers” Website referenced 3/18/21 at https://www.9news.com/article/features/fairy-forest-is-a-delightful-hike-for-toddlers/73-583967169
- Bookbreck n.d. “Breckenridge Fairy Forest” website referenced 3/18/21 at https://www.bookbreck.com/breckenridge-fairy-forest/
- Sienkiewicz, Taylor 2020 “Breckenridge Fairy Forest to be removed as town closes Four O’Clock Trail for Restoration” website referenced 3/18/21 at https://www.summitdaily.com/news/breckenridge-fairy-forest-to-be-removed-as-town-closes-four-oclock-trail-for-restoration/
- Town of Breckenridge 2020 “”Fairy Forest ” Will Be Closed to Public Access” Website referenced 3/18/21: https://www.townofbreckenridge.com/Home/Components/News/News/2041/
