News January 14, 2015

  • Jones Park vote gives property to County.
  • TOSC supports bond issue.
  • Community Open House about City priorities Jan 15.
  • Forest restoration in Cheyenne Cañon.
  • “Winterific” at Fox Run Park Jan 17.
  • Ute Valley Park Master Plan update Jan 27.
  • Volunteer: Graphics designer needed for project.
  • Super half marathon and Game Day 5K Feb 1.
TOSC logo Horiz grn

NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 14, 2015
Jones Park vote gives land to EPC.
City Council votes 7-2 for transfer of ownership.

The Colorado Springs City Council voted 7-2 on Tuesday, January 13, to transfer ownership of Jones Park to El Paso County. The agreement includes the creation of a conservation easement to ensure that the property remains a public asset, and requirements that the County follow the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process currently underway, among other key conditions. For more information and background about the transfer of Jones Park, and links to documentation on the NEPA (National Environmental Protection Act) process, and the Bear Creek Watershed, see our article at this link.
TOSC supports CIP Bond Issue.
Please reach out to City Council–place on April ballot.
TOSC is asking the Colorado Springs City Council to place the $145 million Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Bond resolution proposed by the mayor on the April ballot.
It includes $10 million for important parks projects. We recognize it’s little more than a band-aid (Parks has capital needs of $180 million), but it’s a good start and would support, among other things, trail projects, phase 2 of the Incline and improved signage in our system. It would also cut maintenance costs. To see the list of proposed Parks projects, and City Council contact information, see this link on our website.
Open House to learn about Parks Projects.
Final community meeting January 15th.
Cheyenne Canon Trail

Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015 at the Stetson Hills Police Substation,5:30 to 7 pm.This is an open house style meeting, which will present the CIP Bond Projects list. If you can attend, check out the trail projects on the city’s list of “high priority projects.” The list includes sections of the Palmer-Mesa Trail, Homestead Trail, Shooks Run Trail and Rock Island Trail. We encourage residents to come to the meetings with your questions and concerns.

Cheyenne Cañon forest restoration begins.
Target completion end of Feb.
Mt. Muscoco trail

The City Forestry Division began a Forest Restoration Project in the North Cheyenne Cañon Park earlier this week.
This project includes:
·       Treatment of 76 acres near the Starsmore Discovery Center.
·       Timber stand improvement to encourage faster growth and better forest health.
·       Reduction of fuels and removal of insect and disease affected trees
 
The contractor, Seedmasters, began staging equipment on Monday, January 5 and operations have begun. Citizens can expect to see personnel with chain saws removing dead oak trees in the shrub clumps and removing lower branches from evergreens. They can also expect to see heavy mechanized equipment chipping bio mass and removal of larger diameter Ponderosa pine and Douglas firs.

“Winterific” Winter Carnival Jan 17.
Annual Festival at Fox Run Park, noon to 2 pm.
Come and celebrate winter fun at “Winterific” Saturday, January 17th at Fox Run Park. Enjoy crafts, winter games, hot chocolate and cookies, wildlife walks and more. Cost is $2 per person. For more information, call El Paso County Parks at 719-520-6387.

Ute Valley Park Master Plan update
Draft Master Plan Open House Jan 27, 5 pm.
Ute Valley biker

Parks staff will present the draft Master Plan for Ute Valley Park, crafted using input from the two public meetings that have been held so far, at an Open House Jan 27th from 5-7 pm at Eagleview Middle School. To see the input from the public meetings and the stated goals of the process, see this link. There will also be a round-table session at this meeting to discuss the plan to create a trail running from the western edge of the park, connecting with the Pikes Peak Greenway. Learn more and weigh in.
Starting Jan 20th, the draft Master Plan will be posted on the project website, www.springsgov.com/UteValleyMP for the public to review. Comments in response to the draft should be emailed to sbryarly@springsgov.com no later than Jan 27th.

Volunteer for TOSC!
Needed: Graphic design for a project.
TOSC is looking for a professional graphics designer to help us with our Annual Report. We hope to complete the report by the end of February. If you would like to help preserve trails and open space, but your talents lie in design rather than pick-and-shovel work, this is your opportunity! Please reply by return email to this newsletter to talk to us about the project.
Thank you!
Big running events on SuperbowlSunday!
Half marathon and 5K downtown Feb 1.
On Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 1) more than 1,000 runners will race in downtown Colorado Springs in the Fourth Annual Super Half Marathon and Game Day 5K.  The Woodland Park High School’s band, ensemble and cheerleaders will also be there to ramp up the festivities.
The event is a fundraiser for Pikes Peak Roadrunners andPikespeakSports.us, organizations that work to promote running, racing and healthful living in Colorado Springs. Both organizations partner with TOSC on events benefiting trails and open space.
Pick your race, burn some calories, celebrate your accomplishment with your friends, then head home and catch the big game!
Lots of information, and registration links, at this link.
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