Friends of Blodgett Peak report that an illegal campfire was abandoned and remained smoldering in Blodgett Peak Open Space Saturday, Oct 8. Alert hikers saw the smoke, followed it off the trail to the campfire, and called 911.
Firefighters put out the campfire and investigated the campsite. According to eyewitnesses, there had been multiple fires burned at the site over time. The police are conducting an investigation.
Our fall weather is usually dry and windy, ideal weather for fires to spread. Please, watch for signs of fire, and report smoke trails right away!
Pikes Peak Summit Complex Open House Oct 18.
Pikes Peak Summit Complex Presentation and Open House
Tues, Oct 18, 6 pm – 8 pm
City Auditorium
The design teams will unveil the latest details of the exterior and interior designs for the new Summit House visitor center. Displays will include:
Summit House, Cog, Parking, Access and Landscaping Designs
Interpretive and Educational Exhibit Concepts
Aramark/Concessionnaire (retail/food) Offerings
Construction/Logistic Challenges
Project Cost/Schedule
Environmental and Sustainability Concepts
Living Building Challenge application and US Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification
Join thousands of Waldos and Wendas in downtown Colorado Springs this October 22 for the Waldo Waldo 5K, a family-friendly walk and fun run fundraiser. Registration comes with a “Where’s Waldo” costume kit and the money raised supports the Trails and Open Space Coalition and RMFI. Register at this link.
Gov. John Hickenlooper made a trip to our area to show support for the Ring the Peak Trail, one of his “16 in ’16” priority trails.
The Governor was making the rounds of the priority trails to find out what progress has been made and what remains to be done. He met with Colorado Springs and El Paso County Parks, the US Forest Service, Friends of the Peak, Trails and Open Space Coalition and other partners on October 3, finishing his time in the area with a visit to Ute Pass Elementary School, where children turned out on bikes by the dozen.
The Governor showed his strong support for finishing the loop around Pikes Peak, and his vision of the benefits that will come to the region with its completion. He said, “Once this Ring the Peak (trail) is done, it will be a national and, ultimately, an international destination.”
The Trails and Open Space Coalition and Friends of the Peak have submitted a Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Planning Grant request for $100,000 for planning the Ring the Peak Trail alignment across the missing segment in the southwest of the ring. Tuesday, Sept 27, the Colorado Springs City Council approved sponsoring the Grant.
We anticipate hiring a trail planning consultant to assist us in locating a trail across the multi-jurisdictional lands in the Cripple Creek and Victor area. We will know by December 2, 2016 if we are awarded the Grant. If we are awarded the grant, the planning process should take about six to eight months.
Save the date–Our Annual Member Celebration is coming up Thursday, October 27!
If your membership is current, you’ll get a printed newsletter in the mail in the coming week with party details. For questions about your membership status, email eileen@trailsandopenspaces.org.
Artist talk with Michelle McMahan at the library, followed by an art viewing at G44 Gallery. Finish up atSovereignty Wines for a wine tasting.
Tickets held at the door, but you must sign up ahead of time to reserve a spot, 633-6278.
Widefield Park Survey
El Paso County Parks is asking for the public’s input to update the master plan for Widefield Community Park, and citizens are encouraged to participate in a community-wide online survey.
“Table to Trails” with Salsa Brava, Over Easy, Sonterra Grill
Over Easy, Downtown (above)
and University Village (left)
Just some food pics of the daily specials at Over Easy (yum). Over Easy donates one dollar to the Trails and Open Space Coalition for every special sold!
Now through May 2017, join Salsa Brava, Over Easy and Sonterra Grill in the Table to Trails fundraiser, and $1 from every lunch special sold will go to support the Trails and Open Space Coalition.
These restaurants are locally owned, and use local ingredients when possible. Now they’re taking their local commitment one step further to support our local trails and open spaces.
Enjoy time out with lunch at Salsa Brava, and support TOSC!
Love the trails? Want to see more connections, more bike routes, more care for our parks? Support parks, trails and open spaces!
