El Paso County Flood Restoration Projects underway.
3rd Annual Waldo Waldo Oct 26–online signup through Fri.
Pizzeria Rustica Small Vineyards benefit dinner Nov 18.
Give 4 the Community 4-mile run Nov 8.
Upcoming Volunteer 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 OCTOBER 22, 2014
Mayor’s Budget calls for cuts for Parks
Revenue up 3%, but Parks cut by $643,000.
The City of Colorado Springs 2015 General Fund is expected to increase by 3%. Unfortunately, the budget that the Mayor has presented to the City Council calls for a cut of $643,000 to the Parks Department compared to last year. Rather than reduce general fund support, we should be increasing it! Especially with a 3% overall increase in tax revenue. In the years of recession, Parks took the largest share of budget cuts–their budget is still not back up to 2008 levels. Please contact the Mayor and City Council TODAY to express your support for adequate funding for Parks. More details, and contact information, on our website.
TOSC Annual Members’ Celebration tomorrow!
Enjoy a fun night out with TOSC Oct 23.
Join the Trails and Open Space Coalition Thursday, Oct 23, 6-8 pm for a very special evening of food and drink, friends and fun! We are looking forward to treating our Members to a relaxing evening out, to sharing our vision for 2015 and thanking you for your support. This is a free, informal Members’ event.
We’ll have appetizers by Picnic Basket and desserts from local restaurants, beer and wine, water and lemonade. We’ll give away some door prizes and mingle with friends. Let’s celebrate together! Join the Facebook event for an online reminder.
Please vote YES for parks! This is not a tax increase, and retained funds can only be spent for County parks: Bear Creek Park, Black Forest, Falcon, Fairgrounds–people all over the county will benefit. Supported by community groups and citizens. See the website for the list of projects and some of the supporters.
Halloween Carnival Oct 25.
Support Friends of Cheyenne Cañon and enjoy great family fun.
Have fun with Friends of Cheyenne Cañon this Saturday from 4 to 8 pm! Come dressed in costume for the contests, play carnival games, take a thrilling walk on the Spooky Trail, compete in the Cake Walk and Duck Races, visit the trick or treat stations. The event is free to enter; purchase tickets for the games.
October 25, 4 pm to 8 pm at Starsmore Discovery Center, 2120 South Cheyenne Canon Road.
El Paso County Flood Restoration Projects
FEMA repairs in County parks to be completed by Jan 2015.
If you’re out on the trails in one of our County Parks, you may see some flood restoration work going on. El Paso County Parks launched several recovery projects in October, with completion by January 2015. Repairs include:
Bear Creek Park–regrading 4 miles of trail, repairs to entrance road, access road, 8th St underpass, and maintenance road.
Fountain Creek Regional Trail–relocation of a 300 ft section of regional trail that was washed out, stabilization of creek bank and installation of gravel in parking lots and road.
Ute Pass Regional Trail–Installation of fill and riprap to re-establish creek bank and trail, and protect from future erosion.
Registration closes Friday for the Waldo Waldo.
Join 4,000 Waldos and break the World Record!
Online registration closes Friday at midnight for this Sunday’s Waldo Waldo. You can also come in to register in person at packet pick up Wednesday, Thursday or Friday between 2 – 7 p.m at Discovery Church, 4304 Austin Bluffs Parkway. You can register the morning of the event, but it will be very busy. Avoid the lines and sign up before it’s too late at www.thewaldowaldo.com
The Waldo Waldo benefits natural disaster relief and fire recovery efforts, outdoor activities, and trails and open space programs in Colorado Springs and the surrounding community. Part of the proceeds from this event will go to the Trails and Open Space Coalition.
Pizzeria Rustica Benefit Nov 18, 6 pm
Small Vineyards Dinner with Coaltrain Wine & Spirits
Act quickly; these dinners sell out! Pizzeria Rustica and Coal Train Wine and Spirits team up Nov 18th for an amazing journey, “Small vineyards passport to Elba.” Five delectable food courses are paired with exquisite wines from small vineyards-think Bocelli Prosecco, or Perazzeta Syrah (tasting notes say only 80 cases made!). See the menu here: Pizzeria Rustica Menu. Proceeds benefits the Trails and Open Space Coalition. $59/pp + tax & service. Reservations: 719-475-9700.
The City of Colorado Springs 2015 General Fund is expected to increase by 3%. Unfortunately, the budget that the Mayor has presented to the City Council calls for a cut of $643,000 to the Parks Department compared to last year. Rather than reduce general fund support, we should be increasing it! Especially with a 3% overall increase in tax revenue. In the years of recession, Parks took the largest share of budget cuts–their budget is still not back up to 2008 levels. Please contact the Mayor and City Council TODAY to express your support for adequate funding for Parks. More details, and contact information, 
If you’re out on the trails in one of our County Parks, you may see some flood restoration work going on. El Paso County Parks launched several recovery projects in October, with completion by January 2015. Repairs include:
Act quickly; these dinners sell out! Pizzeria Rustica and Coal Train Wine and Spirits team up 
