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 Pencils sharpened? Calendars ready? June 9th is the date and 10:30 is the new time for the moonlight bicycle ride so many of you love. Our Starlight Spectacular is in its 18th year. (Time flies and so do you when you're on a bicycle!) More Good News......there will be pancakes for hungry riders upon their return!
You can register anytime, just go to Starlight Spectacular
Register using Eventbrite, and you save a couple of dollars!
 Riders are still welcome to print a copy of the registration form and take it to your favorite bike shop or send it in to TOSC. But there will be a "handling charge." And for more information about forming a team - check our our Starlight Spectacular event page!
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What solutions can address the needs of our parks without raising taxes?
That was the challenge set before the Mayor's "Parks Solutions Team" led by Richard Skorman. (TOSC's views were represented by executive director Susan Davies.)
Team members were required to sign a "promise" that increased taxes would not be one of the solutions. Members met weekly for several months and came up six recommendations.
Water is a key challenge. Water costs will go up faster than any other park maintenance cost over the next eight years. The team had several ideas on how to address the water conundrum.
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 Book signing and Photo exhibit: Ruth Obee, noted local author, will be signing her new book, History in Stone, The Story of Red Rock Canyon. The book and Red Rock Canyon photos from the book by Bill Koerner will be available for purchase.
When: May 20, 3-5pm.
Where: Summerland Gardens, 124 E. Cheyenne Road (across the street from Safeway). Wine, beverages and snacks will be served.
Among the goals the author set for herself in her new book was not only to describe and document one of the most beautiful sites in the Pikes Peak Region, but also to celebrate the members of the community who made the TOPS open space a reality. The book and photos will also be available at TOSC, 1040 S. 8th St.
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Thanks to those of you who came out for EPC commissioners meeting on the PPRTA2 - county's project list. You were eloquent! We heard from cyclists, a boy scout, a LSI worker who shared that LSI employees had logged over 12,000 commuter miles last year! All spoke in favor of adding county trails to the overall list. We learned the 4 top projects would add 7.5 miles of trail and cost a mere $657,000
El Paso County Commissioners has delayed their vote on the count's list until their Tuesday, May 29th meeting. That meeting begins at 9 a.m. Your spoken or physical support would be appreciated. Meeting will be at Centennial Hall at 200 S. Cascade.
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TOSC, Colorado Springs Parks, FRR,FOTP and RMFI all partnered and offered a comprehensive crew leader training class focusing on trail maintenance and restoration. Thanks to the 30 students who took part and gave it their all!
Our instructors were great, organizers did an excellent job of coming together and teaching important skills. Remember participants - sign up for those volunteer projects where you can get certified! For a list of those projects: www.openspacevolunteers.org
And thanks to everyone who participated!
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The Red Rock Master Plan process dubbed Red, White and 16 will resume sometime this summer. The city decided to tackle some "side issues" that developed as a result of the process.
The main question - how decisions are made relating to trail construction and trail maintenance that take into consideration all user groups.
The city has begun a "relationship building process" with the goal of improving communication between Friends Groups/User groups and the city - and better define roles and responsibilities. A series of interviews and meetings are underway. The final meeting takes place in July. Check back for progress reports.
Members of the Parks Dept. Staff - Kim King, Kurt Schroeder, Chris Lieber, Sarah Bryarly, Scott Abbott and Debbie McDonald are all participating in the process.
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Guided Hikes are again being led this summer. Call TOSC at 633-6884 to sign up for one of the following dates:
July 14
(TOSC Members only)
July 21th*
Aug 18th *
Sept 15th*
(*$12 fee covers the cost of the port-o-let.)Registration required.
Volunteers: Come help us build trail!
Saturday, June 23,
Saturday and/or Sunday, July 21-22 (camping available!)
Saturday and/or Sunday Aug 11-12 (camping available!)
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Plans are underway for another fabulous American Discovery Trail Marathon. Once again the title sponsor is Heuberger Subaru. The ADT Marathon is a partnership between Pikes Peak Road Runners and the Trail and Open Space Coalition. This years' event promises to be bigger and better! So save Labor Day ( Monday, Sept 3rd) and plan to enter the marathon, half-marathon, relay or kids race. All proceeds benefit these two community organizations - TOSC is committed to improving trails and PPRR supports local races.
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Some 30 guided tours of Corral Bluffs were given last year. If you missed out, contact corralbluffs.org and reserve a spot for this summer. Email
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to reserve your spot. We're limited to 26 per tour.
May 5th 9am meeting time
June 2nd 9 am meeting time
July 7th 9 am meeting time
Aug 4th 9 am meeting time
Sept 8th 9 am meeting time
Oct 6th 9 am meeting time
Gener ally, if it’s precipitating, below 40º or there are gale-like winds, the tour will be rescheduled for the following Saturday. If the weather seems questionnable, please check this site the morning of the tour.
Meet at the parking lot directly west of the Loaf N Jug at 6857 Space Village Avenue -- just south of Platte Ave. near the intersection of Space Village Ave. and Peterson Rd. and we'll carpool from there. See map below.
Each person will be required to complete two liability waivers, which you'll be emailed after you make your reservation and about a week before the hike.
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