The Forest Service has revised its closure order for Waldo Canyon and will now allow public access to the area. While the public will be allowed to access Waldo, the Waldo Canyon Trail (NFST 640) and Waldo Canyon Trailhead on Highway 24 will remained closed for public safety Read more.
Closure alert–north Greenway.
Trail work on the northern part of the Pikes Peak Greenway means a detour for the time being. Read more.
Monument Valley Park Fall Tree Walk Oct 7.
Saturday, October 7, 10 am–FREE
Join the Friends of Monument Valley Park for the Fall Tree Walk, led by Carey Harrington, CO Native Plant Master. Meet at the West Fontanero St parking lot of Monument Valley Park.
Bring: water, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, pen & notebook, camera if you like.
NO PETS PLEASE.
Plan on 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Sign up now for the Waldo Waldo Saturday, October 21!
Saturday, October 21, 9 am.
Registered participants receive a Where’s Waldo costume kit.
Local exhibitors, music, and food trucks.
Benefits local nonprofits, including the Trails and Open Space Coalition.
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.
El Paso County Measure 1A will give much-needed parks funding.
The El Paso County Tabor retention ballot initiative calls for $12 million for roads, $1 million for disaster recovery, and $1.5 million for parks. The initiative readjusts the TABOR cap which will mean an additional $750,000/year for the parks budget beginning in 2019 for 3 years.
The Board of the Trails and Open Space Coalition passed the following resolution: “The Trails and Open Space Coalition supports the County’s TABOR retention initiative because it provides up to $2.5 million for critical county parks and trails projects and it adjusts the TABOR cap. EPC commissioners have committed an additional $750,000 for Parks Capital improvements for 2019, 2020 and 2021 if it should pass. Improved funding for county and city parks has been a primary focus for this organization for the past 10 years. Our mission calls out preservation and trail connectivity. Without adequate funding neither of those values can be achieved.”
Stormwater fee 2A stops the buck on stormwater.
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.
for including the Trails and Open Space Coalition in the celebration and ribbon-cutting for their gorgeous new offices at 1122 N. El Paso St. Oct 3!
KHM asked guests to donate to TOSC, and made a donation themselves, making them our latest Business Friends.
For information on the Business Friends Program, please contact us.
Hiking Bob gives photography advice on the trail–and on his blog!
Trails and Open Space Supporter Bob Falcone, AKA Hiking Bob, led a Members-only fall color hike on Sept 30 in the Catamount Ranch area. Become a member and get access to Members-only hikes and perks! Donate here.
But don’t worry, you can get his tips for getting good fall color photos in any weather on his blog at the Independent.
Items accepted include automotive products, (motor oil is limited to ten (10) gallons per vehicle) batteries, household chemicals, lawn and garden products, paint and paint products, and electronics including any size televisions and monitors (limit is three (3) total TVs and or montiors any size). Additionally light truck and passenger tires will be accepted (limited to nine (9) per vehicle).
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!
Sunday, Oct 8, 8 am – 1 pm Bear Creek Nature Center
We have a great diversified project at Bear Creek Nature Center. Some teams will be installing rock steps and timber steps. Another two teams will be building some water diversion swales and doing major corridor clearing. This project will make a visual big difference. Invite a friend. More info and signups
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.
