You get our newsletter. Won’t you please help support our efforts?
Our 1,200 members agree: TOSC has made a difference in our community, and continues to work on important projects right now–improving our bikeways, closing trail gaps, making progress with our Ring the Peak Trail project, supporting our Friends Groups and working with the City and County on Parks funding solutions. We get you the news on volunteer projects, issues and events that matter to people who love the outdoors.
Join the Trails and Open Space Coalition and be a part of the preservation of our outdoor treasures.
You also get access to Members-only Adventure Hikes, special member events and invitations, and special offers for our Sustaining Members, who give a small amount monthly through a credit card.
TOSC is a 501c3 nonprofit. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Help build new trail in Red Rock Canyon!
April 12, May 10 dates for Sand Canyon Loop Trail.
Manitou CATS is building a brand new trail in Red Rock Canyon Open Space. It is the Sand Canyon Loop Trail, which will connect the west canyon of the Red Rock Canyon Open Space with the trails in the other canyons and with the Intemann Trail. Volunteers will be clearing the corridor and building 36-inch tread. Project dates are Sundays, April 12 and May 10. There is a special need for Crew Leaders and Crew Leader Trainees, and designated signups for people with those specialized skills on the registration site. General volunteers can sign up at the same site.
Visit our volunteer website for more information and links to signup: http://openspacevolunteers.org.
Chico Basin Ranch Tumbleweed Cleanup April 4.
Free entry to the Ranch; help prepare for bird banding.
Saturday, April 4, 8 a.m. to noon.Come to Chico Basin Ranch to help wage war on huge piles of tumbleweeds that have blown in over the past few months! They need to clear some areas for the bird banding season which begins at the end of April.
This is your chance to come out to the ranch with your family and friends for a great day of work and fun. For details and directions see our website athttp://openspacevolunteers.org.
Black Forest Regional Park Open House.
Thurs Apr 9; find out how to help the Park.
Thursday, April 9th7 – 8 pm. The Lodge at Cathedral Pines (13977 Milam Rd).
Black Forest Regional Park needs volunteer support. Enjoy light refreshments and get the latest updates on Parks projects. Learn about the forest management plan and priorities for restoration. Find out how you can help restore your Park! Co-sponsored by TOSC, Black Forest Trails Association, Cathedral Pines and El Paso County Parks.
Cottonwood Trail repairs underway.
Construction of new bridge, trail near Woodmen & I-25.
Crews are currently working on two projects to stabilize Cottonwood Creek and build a new trail near the Vincent Drive Bridge. A new concrete trail extension is being added as part of the Cottonwood Trail project, along with a pedestrian bridge across the creek. During construction, the trail will be closed from the Pikes Peak Greenway to the Vincent Drive bridge and users will be detoured. The trail east of Vincent will remain closed until the Cottonwood Trail underpass at Academy Boulevard is complete.
There will be lots of chances to work on trails, cleanups, flood and fire restoration, and more! Take a look at our website, www.openspacevolunteers.org, and start making your plans for the season!
Learn more about proper trail construction and maintenance, how to lead a crew and make a contribution to local trails! Crew Leader Training will be held at the Bear Creek Nature Center April 17 (Friday evening), 18, and 19 (Sat and Sun). Training is free, but attendees must have participated in at least two trail work days to qualify, and must sign up for two additional mentoring days in order to complete certification. The goal is to graduate qualified crew leaders who will take charge of crews for work days during the year. The more crew leaders we have, the more work we can get done!
Go to www.coloradosprings.gov/volunteer. Use the calendar to search for the event date, then follow the instructions to sign up. You may be required to create a Volunteer Profile in the system.
South Slope Reservations open May 1.
Area open by permit only weekends May 23-Sept 27.
The South Slope Recreation Area will open for its first full season of operation starting onSaturday, May 23, 2015.
Use of the area is by permit only! No access will be allowed without pre-registering, and permits are not available on-site. There are a limited number of vehicles and users allowed each day. The fee is $15 per vehicle, up to eight persons per vehicle. Registration for permits for Memorial Day weekend through the end of June will begin May 1; 12:01 a.m. More information is on the City’s website.
Candidate e-forum on TOSC website.
Conservation answers from Mayoral & Council candidates.
The Trails and Open Space Coalition in partnership with Catamount Institute,Livewell Colorado Springs, Colorado College Sustainability Department andPikes Peak Sierra Club provided Mayoral and City Council Candidates a list of questions on topics important to the Conservation and Healthy Living Community. These candidates’ answers are your opportunity to become better educated and decide if your values and their priorities share common ground. Click here to view the e-forum.
The Trails and Open Space Coalition is a 501c3 nonprofit, and does not endorse candidates.
21st Annual Starlight Spectacular June 20th
The PIRATES are coming…
Register now for the 21st Annual Starlight Spectacular on June 20, our night time bike ride through the city, starting and ending at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center.
Start thinking about costumes–prizes for best costume, best group costume, and best illuminated bike. The theme this year is…PIRATES!
For best value, register now, at the Earlybird pricing. For more information, visit
April 9 (Thurs), 7-8 pm. Black Forest Regional Park Community Meeting, The Lodge at Cathedral Pines. Enjoy light refreshments and get the latest updates on Parks projects. Learn about the forest management plan and priorities for restoration. Find out how you can help restore your Park!
City of Colorado Springs Meeting:
April 2 (Thurs), 5:30-8 pm. YourCOS. A non-political gathering to learn about day-to-day city operations. Hear from city staff and volunteers to learn about ways to get involved and understand the City’s efforts to improve our community. More information, registration and submit questions at this link.
April 4 (Sat) 9 am. Greenway Cleanup. The Pikes Peak Road Runners have adopted a section of the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail. Meet at the 8th Street Wal-Mart, in the SE corner of the parking lot. The cleanups last for about 2 hours. Everybody is welcome to come and help clean the trail. Bring a pair of work gloves. Trash bags will be provided. If it’s a warm day, also bring a bottle of water to refresh yourself.
April 12 (Sun) 10am – 3 pm. Goose Gossage Bike Park tuneup. Goose Gossage Sports Complex. Come help get the bike park tuned up! Water truck will be onsite, tools provided and FOOD for those who help out. Kids are welcome with parents; no dropoffs. Check out theirFacebook page for more details.
April 18 (Sat), 8:30 – 12:30. Harlan Wolfe Park Work Day, 905 W. Cheyenne Road. Help fix some of the damage caused by last year’s floods. Lunch provided by Chick-fil-A.
April 25 (Sat), 8:30 – 12:30. Disc Golf Course Work Day,2685 E. Las Vegas. Help with a recreational infill project by creating a new disc golf course. Lunch provided by Chick-fil-A.
April 25 (Sat), 9 am. Third Annual Tackle the Trash. El Paso County Parks’ annual cleanup. Seven sites all around the county, sign up at www.tacklethetrash.com.
April 25 (Sat), 10 am to 2 pm. Shooks Run Cleanup. 706 North Franklin St. or Prairie Dog O’Byrne Park, 503 E. Bijou St. at Corona. Music and refreshments to follow the cleanup. Trash bags provided; bring water, sunscreen, gloves.
