Advocacy

The TOSC Monthly Advocacy Report contains more information on current trails, open space and parks issues, including the Sustainable Parks Initiative (SPI).

September 2010  

TOPS: At the 8-23-10 Council meeting, Colorado Springs Mayor Rivera presented his proposal to modify TOPS. This is the same proposal that was defeated by the voters in April 2009. The proposal would increase the TOPS maintenance appropriation from 6% to 15%, and use these funds for maintenance of ALL parks. It would be in effect for 5 years. 

The approximate $885K TOPS additional maintenance dollars don’t solve the $9M in maintenance needed by ALL parks. It is a band-aid. The solution is to approve the Sustainable Parks Initiative in November 2011. We are concerned about how the TOPS dollars would be used and want the TOPS dollars to be used to satisfy TOPS maintenance needs first if this ballot issue passes.

We are also concerned about the proposed 5 year term. It may be difficult to convince the voters to approve a Sustainable Parks Initiative request for a tax increase in November 2011 to really solve maintenance needs, when the voters have approved the use of TOPS dollars for maintenance of all parks a year earlier, in Nov 2010.    

Sustainable Parks Initiative (SPI): A voter-opinion sampling was in June The primary purpose for the sampling was to determine if voters are willing to vote for a tax increase to maintain and operate parks in the city and county at the November 2010 election. The answer was definitely no, not in November 2010. 

The Sustainable Parks Initiative subcommittee team and TOSC are committed to finding a sustainable solution to the maintenance and operating budget shortfalls in the City and the County. In the interim, TOSC will continue to promote a program of increased volunteerism, partnerships and outreach in our effort to help parks. At this time our intent is to present a solution for voter consideration in 2011 so that city and county parks, recreation and cultural services once again receive adequate maintenance and operating dollars.

Section 16: The State Land Board appraisal is currently under review by Parks. TOPS has received a $1M grant from GOCO and a commitment of $200,000 from El Paso County to make the purchase possible. Negotiations between the City and the SLB appear to be close to resolution, and we expect that a contract will be in place and the sale finalized as early as September. Maintenance costs are minimal based on the continued presence of parks personnel in the adjoining Red Rock Canyon Open Space and volunteers have maintained Section 16 for years. 

South Slope of Pikes Peak: The final South Slope Plan was issued Aug 6^th and approved by the City Council sitting as the utilities board on 8-18. The plan is essentially unchanged and some of TOSC’s concerns addressed and other not.  The trail width has been reduced to 3-4 feet, but the Mason to Moraine connection trail is remains the lowest implementation priority. Trailbuilding, led by Friends of the Peak, for the Mason/Boemer loop trail, has started and continues on Sept 11. Sign-up at www.fotp.org. The public hikes program is a great success and spots opening up have been filled almost immediately.  

Venezia Park: The long planned but unbuilt Venezia Park faces funding and implementation challenges. The Park will cost $12M, but only $700K is earmarked in the TOPS parks fund and Certificates of Participation (COPs) are no longer available. Phasing the implementation and reducing the scope of the project might be considered. A Briargate special maintenance district could provide maintenance funding if members of the district decide to tax themselves further. 

Ring the Peak: Efforts continue to find an acceptable Ring the Peak routing that avoids the sensitive Rocky Mtn bighorn sheep lambing areas on the South Slope. Partners may include Forest Service, BLM, Palmer Land Trust and the Rural Land Preservation Group in Teller County. 

Corral Bluffs: Purchase of the Anderson property remains a priority and will come before the TOPS Working Committee in September. Acquisition would provide easier access from the north and east to the Corral Bluffs Open Space. The property will become part of the Corral Bluffs Open Space. The Corral Bluffs Alliance (CoBAis continuing the very successful public hike program. Contact CoBA at savecorralbluffs.com. 

The Incline: After a successful series of public workshops in July, the consultant team will present Incline alternatives at a public meeting on Oct, 21 7PM at Manitou Springs City Hall. For more information contact Aimee Cox at 385-6532, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or Dan Folke at 685-2550, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Rural Land Preservation Conference: The Theme is ‘Teller for Tomorrow, preserving the legacy of rural land’. A long term goal the RLPG is to bring forward a TOPS type tax in Teller County for voter consideration to preserve this legacy. The 2010 Forum will be held on Sept 10 in Woodland Park.

Rainbow Falls: The Rainbow Falls Restoration Project is putting emphasis on increasing security and policing at the Falls, to address the continuing issues with taggers. Tickets are being issued.  GOCO and CDBG grants are being prepared. TOSC has provided a letter of support. A future fundraising event and cleanup day is scheduled for Sat. Oct 23.

Intemann Trail: Iron Mountain, a key part of the front range mountain backdrop, is being acquired by the Manitou Springs open space program over the next 2 years. This will allow the IntemannTrail Committee to complete the Intemann Trail, so it can, at last, provide hikers and bikers trail access to the Barr Trail and Pikes Peak. 

"To save us from ourselves, perfect our harmony within the the natural world"

What are open space and trails? Open space can be characterized as land left in a primarily natural state containing significant natural, aesthetic, or cultural features that warrant protection. Land designated as open space is permanently protected, not a temporary designation for vacant lands.

Why do we need trails and open space? Trails and open space enhance a community's quality of life. Trails and open space help us maintain our western character and safeguard the visual interest which has brought so many people to our region. As our communities continue to grow, our need for trails and open space grows. More growth means more people accessing limited resources and depleting existing open space resources.

Significant areas such as Palmer Park and Garden of the Gods Park were donated many years ago and those donations remain as the largest source of public open space. However, significant donations have plummeted since the late 1930s. Communities in the Pikes Peak region have developed trails and open space master plans and update them periodically . These address the funding, acquisition and development of additional trails and open space. However, funding of the implementation of these plans has always been a problem. Other means to acquire public open space include purchase, leasing (Section 16), trading or land dedication; however, the growth of open space has not kept up with the population growth or development. Private open space may be secured through open space tracts, preservation areas, conservation easements or land trusts.

GOALS

Create the political climate in which local decisions to fund open space and trails are approved and supported.

Assist local governments in the formation and implementation of their trails, parks and open space master plans.

Build, encourage and coordinate grassroots support for open space and trails.

Develop public/private partnerships to benefit trails and open space.

Influence and coordinate with government agencies, community organizations and businesses.

Promote intermodal use of trails

Promote accessibility to all citizens, including youth, seniors and disabled.

Help the environment.

Be a voice that is heard. 

METHODS

Advocacy is essential to getting trails built or preserving open space. Private individuals and organizations make the most effective advocates. Government bodies; i.e., city councils, county commissions, park boards and others listen to their constituents. To be an effective advocate, you first have to know what it is you want. Define what you want in simple terms that anyone can understand.

Once you know what you want, educate yourself. To be an effective advocate, you have to become educated on a number of things: how the public process works in your community, public relations, fundraising, the master plans your project might fall under, the development process, trail construction and maintenance, how local government works and who the players are, what committees are there that might influence your project, wildlife and habitat, the Endangered Species Act, TEA-21, State Trails Program, Great Outdoors Colorado, TOPS and a host of other subjects. You also need to understand the important role trails or open space might play in your community.

Regularly Scheduled Meetings

Colorado Springs

Calendar

City Council meets in formal session at 1:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Council meets in Council Chambers on the third floor of the new City Hall, 107 North Nevada Avenue. Informal Council meetings are held at 1 p.m. on Mondays preceding formal Council days. All City Council meetings are open to the public, except portions of meetings in which legal, land acquisition, or personnel matters are discussed. Agenda.

The Planning Commission has final agency authority on numerous land use applications as well as acting in an advisory capacity to City Council on various other land use matters. To contact the commission, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Formal Planning Commission meetings are monthly, 3rd Thursdays, 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. in the Regional Building Hearing Room, 2880 International Circle.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is an advisory body to the City Council on parks and recreation resources within the City, The Board holds a public meeting monthly to review matters pertaining to the planning, development, improvement, beautification, equipping and maintaining the public parks, playgrounds, programs, urban forest, recreation facilities and resources including golf courses and center street parkings. To contact the board, send email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Meetings are the second Thursday of the month at 7:30 a.m. at the Parks and Recreation Department, 1401 Recreation Way.