The Pioneer Park Access Legacy (PAL) is a grassroots neighborhood project to purchase a small slice of private property to connect Friendship Lane to Pioneer Park. The path is supported by 75% of the homeowners in the area. This access has been used for over 50 years as a shorter and safer way to get to Holmes Middle School and Coronado High School. This is a unique opportunity to make a neighborhood more connected and livable. Read more here.
The Trails and Open Space Coalition, along with Bike Colorado Springs (a program of TOSC) will be at the Planning Commission meeting in support of the path.
Public attendance is welcome.
Stormwater fee on the ballot in November.
This November, Colorado Springs voters will be asked to allow city council to reinstate the stormwater fee. The TOSC Board of Directors has voted to support this proposal because it aligns with our mission of preserving parks and open space, and creating a network of trails and bikeways in our region.
This is a public hike. Our members-only hike the same day is full, so if you wanted to go on a ring the Peak hike but missed out on the signup, this is your chance!
Trails and Open Space Coalition 30th Anniversary Member Party!
We had the best Member Party EVER on Sept 13th–if you were there, and want to see photos, or if you missed it, here’s a link to the blog post and photo gallery:
Bear Creek Regional Park Celebration FREE event Thurs Sept 28th, 6 – 8 pm
Bear Creek Nature Center 245 Bear Creek RoadDid you know there are FOUR friends groups dedicated to making Bear Creek Park the best it can be? Come and meet the people making it happen, and enjoy Papa Murphy’s pizza cooked on the spot in their mobile oven, listen to live music and sip Bristol beer, at the Bear Creek Nature Center. Find out about what’s new in the park and with the Friends Groups, upcoming projects and ways to get involved. Facebook event.
4th Annual Creek Week cleanup Sept 30 – Oct 8
Eight communities. Nine days. 5,000 people. 30 tons of litter.
Take action during Creek week by volunteering for cleanup duty and litter patrol along a creek, trail, park or open space throughout the Fountain Creek Watershed. Get together with your family, club, school or neighborhood and form a Creek Crew, or join an existing cleanup as an individual. Get outside, get active and make a difference for your community and your waterways! More information and signups here.
Star Party at Garden of the Gods Sept 30
FREE special event to celebrate National Astronomy Day!
The Colorado Springs Astronomical Society will bring telescopes to explore the day and night sky. During the day there will be presentations, solar astronomy, activities for kids and crafts. The Star party for night sky viewing will begin after the sun sets. All ages welcome. Weather dependent. Outdoor event held in the parking lot of the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Questions? Email programs@gardenofgods.com or call (719) 219-0104.
Colorado Bicycle Summit Monday, October 2, 2017 The Curtis Hotel | Denver
This event is dedicated to educate and empower attendees, identify common bicycling trends and solutions in our communities and set priorities to improve the future of bicycling in Colorado. This year’s theme, Expanding and Exploring, will guide discussions aimed at empowering bicyclists across the state of Colorado. Be a part of making bicycling accessible for everyone, everywhere!More info and registration.
Volunteering
Peregrine Friends need volunteers!
The Friends of Peregrine Parks & Open Spaces and Peregrine Master HOA have decided to adopt three parks in Peregrine: Blodgett Peak O/S, Woodmen Valley O/S and Woodmen Valley Park. They need volunteers for everything from hiking and observing, to trail maintenance, to computer input. Read more here.
Volunteer Events:
Wednesday, Sept 20
5:30 pm Ute Valley Park
Saturday, Sept 23
8 am Devil’s Playground (Pikes Peak)
8:30 am Cheyenne Cañon
8:30 am Palmer Park
Special overnight volunteer opportunity:
September 29-October 1 Bear Creek Watershed Weekend
Thousands of Waldos and Wendas will take to the streets in downtown Colorado Springs, Saturday – October 21, 2017. Waldo Waldo is the region’s most popular untimed 5K walk and fun run. Local exhibitors, music, and food trucks all added to the fun. Best of all, registered participants receive a Where’s Waldo costume kit. Money raised benefits local nonprofits that support community priorities like Waldo Canyon restoration and trail maintenance. More information and registration at this link.
Help the Friends of Cheyenne Mountain State Park fund the completion of the Dixon Trail to the top of Cheyenne Mountain, and run a challenging race with gorgeous views!
The 2017 race distance will be at least 10 miles and will increase each year as the trail to the top of Cheyenne Mountain is completed. When the trail is completed, this race will provide runners with a new challenging trail race that will be 12-13 miles long with about 3,000 feet of elevation gain and loss. More info and registration.
Pikes Peak Forest Health Symposium
Friday, October 20.
10a-4p, at the Penrose House Garden Pavilion.
The Pikes Peak Heritage Series is presenting the Pikes Peak Forest Health Symposium October 20, with panels on: Pikes Peak Fire History, Case Studies, Possible Solutions, and a Discussion on Next Steps.
The Trails and Open Space Coalition Celebrates 30 years!
Donate now–your donation helps preserve open space and parks.
Thanks to those of you who have generously renewed your membership AND added $30 as we celebrate our 30th anniversary. It was 1987 when a group of community leaders came together to form the Pikes Peak Trails Association to see that land was set aside, trails were built and connected.
