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In the wake of severe budget cuts in Colorado Springs and El Paso County, the Trails and Open Space Coalition is leading a community-wide effort to identify and help implement long term, sustainable, dedicated funding and management solutions for our parks, trails, open spaces and recreation and cultural services.
- Funding will be dedicated, with specific tasks and budgets specified
- Funding will have a sunset provision, ie: require reauthorization by the voters after a set period of time
- Accountability provisions will be identified
- A new, elected board will govern the district or authority
The Sustainable Parks Initiative - detailed writeup - 11-17-09
Introduction
The current economic reality faced by the City of Colorado Springs and El Paso County poses significant challenges and threatens the ecological health and community benefits afforded by regional open space, trails and parklands. In response to this need, the Trails and Open Space Coalition is mobilizing local government leaders, conservation partners, businesses, and other stakeholders to seek sustainable funding solutions and practices for parklands management in the Pikes Peak region of Colorado. The Trails and Open Space Coalition has the experience and staff necessary to lead the effort to meet this challenge. We are seeking funding partners to aid us in this ambitious undertaking.
Background
The Trails and Open Space Coalition was formed in 1987 by a group of concerned citizens to help the City of Colorado Springs implement its trails master plan. The Trails and Open Space Coalition (TOSC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working in the Pikes Peak region in Colorado to preserve open space and rural land and to create a network of trails, bikeways and greenways. Since its inception, TOSC has been a regional leader preserving and acquiring open space, and generating revenue for acquisition, stewardship, and management of parklands.
Need
The City of Colorado Springs currently faces a 33 million dollar budget shortfall that will affect nearly every city service, especially parks. The shortfall will result in significant reduction in parks administrative services, closure of all pools, closure of the Pioneer Museum, and reduced maintenance at nearly 125 parks. The future health of parks and park services is dependent on finding lasting solutions that will provide the resources needed to assure quality parks for future generations. The Sustainable Parks Initiative is a community-led effort aimed at achieving that goal.
Goals and Activities
The overall goal of the Sustainable Parks Initiative (SPI) is to identify and help implement long term sustainable funding and management solutions for parks, trails and open spaces in the Pikes Peak region. The SPI consists of a diverse group of private citizens, friends’ groups, community volunteers, non-profits, and local government staff and officials working together to find solutions that will assure sustainable parks for future generations. Additional assistance is being provided by local environmental and recreation specialists, law firms, bond consuls and election and polling experts.
The SPI committee is serving as the core planning group charged with developing strategies, conducting research, and procuring necessary resources for the development of a strategic sustainable parks plan. The meetings are being facilitated by the Trails and Open Space staff with support from legal consultants and specialists as needed.
The ultimate sustainability solution will require significant resources and community support. We feel that solution will come either in the form of a regional tax initiative (TOPS 2), or the development of one of the following three parks management and funding models: (1.) The development of an independent Regional Parks District, (2.) Development of a Regional Service Authority, or (3.) Development of a Regional Legislative Parks District.
The primary SPI effort will focus on the adoption, development and implementation of one of the permanent solutions listed above. A secondary effort will consist of the development of a community support program aimed at addressing immediate park needs and generating support funding. The community support program will consist of the following parts:
1. Volunteer Program: Development of a comprehensive community volunteer program that can effectively deliver park maintenance, stewardship, and service needs. TOSC and its conservation partners are working together to develop a volunteer program that can work with City resource managers to assist with the priority maintenance needs of parks, open spaces, and trails.
2. Fund Development Program: Development of a strategic fund raising strategy that will explore funding opportunities to provide supporting revenue for parks maintenance. TOSC will work with its conservation partners to lead efforts to coordinate grant strategies, develop community funds, and create innovative program revenue streams to support this effort.
Community Impact
Successful implementation of the SPI will have immediate and long term beneficial impacts to parks and the local community by keeping the parks and other community resources open and functioning. Improved resources, in the form of both human resources and increased funding, will counter the serious maintenance shortfalls now faced by existing parks managers. Increased resources will directly improve the ecological conditions of parks by restoring natural conditions, enable resource managers to develop additional park lands, provide expanded recreational opportunities and maintain popular community services and facilities. Improved park facilities will also have a positive economic and social impact by promoting recreational use and drawing diverse users and visitors from outside the community.
Milestones Status
Formation of Sustainable Parks Initiative Committee Completed
Spring/Summer 2009
Development of Committee Mission/Goals/Policies Completed
Summer 2009
Investigations/Development of Sustainable Parks Initiative Options On-going
Summer/Fall 2009
Adoption of Preferred Initiative On-going
Winter 2009/2010
Development of Community Outreach On-going
To be determined
Campaign Mobilization On-going
To be determined
Program Cost/Needs Assessment
The SPI is an ambitious undertaking and will require significant resources and funding support from multiple sources. Full implementation of the effort, including a ballot initiative campaign may cost upwards of a quarter million dollars. Much of these costs will need to come from the community at large, including; private donors, corporations, fund drives, foundations, grants, and in-kind contributions from conservation and agency partners.
Donations to TOSC for the SPI would be appreciated.
