Meeting on Ute Valley Park Master Plan Thurs Aug 14.
Bear Creek Watershed–Update US Forest Service.
Incline to Close Mon Aug 18.
Iron Mountain Completion Work Aug 24.
Groups needed for noxious weed project, EPC Parks.
Photography Class in Cheyenne Cañon Aug 20.
Pikes Peak Cycling Week–events all week–Aug 17-22.
Closures and Delays USA Pro Challenge Aug 21.
Upcoming Events.
We are dedicated to the preservation of open space and parks, and the creation of a network of trails, bikeways and greenways for the Pikes Peak region.
NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF August 13, 2014
Help set the future for Ute Valley Park–tomorrow, August 14th.
Thurs evening meeting at TOSC about updated master plan.
The City of Colorado Springs Parks Department is leading a public process for updating the Ute Valley Park Master Plan, and TOSC will help in this effort by hosting a meeting. The City has provided an interactive “Meeting in a Box,” which we will use to talk about plans for the new HP property addition. You’ll have a chance to share your vision for the expanded park and hear how others feel about what should and should not be included in the plan.What: Ute Valley Park Master Plan Public Meeting
When: August 14, 5:30-7:00 pm
Where: TOSC office, 1040 S. 8th St., Suite 101.
Bear Creek Watershed Update
Plan delayed; trails stay open until finished.
The latest word from the US Forest Service indicates the NEPA process is taking longer than expected, and may be completed by winter. USFS promises the plan will be completed in time for work on trail re-routes to begin next spring/summer/fall. In the meantime, all trails currently open stay open until the NEPA is published.
Interesting development on the Greenback Cutthroat Trout – 1200 have been stocked in Zimmerman Lake in northern Colorado. If they survive and thrive, that could improve user opportunities in Bear Creek Watershed for the long term.
Incline to close Mon, Aug 18, 6 AM.
Aug 16-17 Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon.
The latest word from the City is that the Incline will close at 6 am on August 18th, as originally announced. For those wishing to take a last hike before the closure, keep in mind that the Pikes Peak Ascent is Saturday, August 16th, and the Marathon is Sunday, the 17th. Runners in these events have the right of way! We suggest getting your last hike in by Friday, or if only the weekend will do, go up after 2 pm on Saturday, when runners will be finished and you won’t be a hazard on the trail coming down.
Great news! The mechanical trail building on Iron Mountain is now done. The trail is connected to the Intemann Trail system and the top of Iron Mountain. But our trail in not open because now there is 1000 feet of unfinished back slope, tread/critical edge hand finishing and trail clean up. We can do this in one day. That day is Sunday, August 24, 2014.
Let’s get it done! Come sign up with all your trail-building friends and let’s finish the trail! Sign up at Manitou Cats.com.
Pikes Peak Cycling Week Aug 17-22.
USA Pro Challenge Stage 4, and local biking events.
Sunday Aug 17, 10:30 am – noon. USA Pro Challenge Stage 4 Citizens’ Ride.Olympic and paralympic athletes lead trail rides starting from Antlers Park. $15 full ride; $5 short ride. More info and registration at this link.
Monday, Aug 18, 5:15 pm. Colorado Springs Cycling Club Ride. Departs America the Beautiful Park. No-drop ride at a casual pace. Dinner at Rudy’s BBQ after.More info at this link.
Tuesday, Aug 19th, 5:30 pm. Club Cafe Velo Ride. An all abilities ride (8 to 20+ miles). Beer and snacks at Café Velo (11550 Ridgeline Dr #102) after the ride. Participants can RSVP by phone (719-772-6101) or email (contact@cafevelobikes.com).
Wednesday, Aug 20, 6-7:30 pm. UpaDowna Pedal Party. McCabe’s
Tavern (520 S Tejon Street). Family-friendly, all ages 5-mile bike ride. Sign up at this link, or come a little early to sign a waiver.
Thursday, Aug 21, 11:30 am. Celebrate Colorado Springs Cycling Ride. Free community ride through downtown Colorado Springs featuring cycling organizations: USA Cycling members, USA Triathlon members, cycling clubs, BMX clubs, adaptive riding groups, unicycles, and more! Participants are encouraged to wear cycling jerseys or costumes, and use the free bike valet in Acacia Park after the ride to enjoy the USA Pro Challenge Finish Festival on Pikes Peak Avenue. Register at this link.
Road Closures and Delays
Stage 4: Colorado Springs Circuit Race –Thurs, Aug. 21
Start at the world famous Broadmoor
21st St/Cresta to W Colorado
West Colorado Avenue–30th Street to Cascade Avenue
Keep in mind that road closures and delays to motorized traffic do not apply to pedestrians and bike traffic, so why not ride your bike or park and walk to the location you want to watch the race? Both are great ways to see the action and join in on the fun and excitement of experiencing this world class event.
Calls for Volunteers
Help needed for ADT Marathon, Labor Day weekend
Trails and Open Space Coalition partners with the Pikes Peak Road Runners for the ADT Marathon (which includes a half-marathon, relay marathon, and kids’ “fun run” as well). We still need a few more volunteers to help the day of the race.
* Monday September 1 – Race day, we need help with post race teardown and loading from 2 pm to 4 pm. Come help out–volunteers get a free beer and our undying gratitude!
El Paso County needs groups to help fight noxious weeds
Organizations and groups are needed to pull/dig noxious weeks in Bear Creek Regional Park, at Bear Creek Nature Center, and Black Forest Regional Park. No set dates; the County will take groups of any size, and Parks staff will train on site about what weeds to pull and how to pull them.
Sign up now for photo class Aug 20, Cheyenne Cañon.
Take part in an ongoing series of photography classes in Cheyenne Cañon, given by Colorado Photography School and in collaboration with the Friends of Cheyenne Cañon. The August 20th session covers photography of landscapes and overlooks. All levels of photography knowledge and equipment are welcome, including cell phones! More information and sign up at: https://coloradophotographyschool.com/ .
The City of Colorado Springs Parks Department is leading a public process for updating the Ute Valley Park Master Plan, and TOSC will help in this effort by hosting a meeting. The City has provided an interactive “Meeting in a Box,” which we will use to talk about plans for the new HP property addition. You’ll have a chance to share your vision for the expanded park and hear how others feel about what should and should not be included in the plan.What: Ute Valley Park Master Plan Public Meeting
