Waldo Canyon is open, but it’s no longer a walk in the park. Access off of Rampart Range Road is steep and hazardous, with many fallen trees and few if any trails left. If you plan to go there, know that conditions are very rough, suitable for experienced back country hikers. More on our blog.
Hiking Bob reports on conditions, and his hiking experience in the canyon. Read his story here.
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.
Want to help heal Waldo Canyon?
The Waldo Waldo 5K benefits the Trails and Open Space Coalition and the Rocky Mountain Field Institute, two nonprofits that are supporting a public process to determine the future of Waldo Canyon.
Volunteer info. Take a few hours in the morning and help out at the Waldo Waldo!
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.
The Shooks Run Trail is closed between Pikes Peak and Costilla for utilities work. A detour is available and is shown on the barrier signs, which we’ve reproduced here. The closure is scheduled to last until October 22. Read more.
Ballot Measures benefit parks.
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.
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.”
Friends and Partner News
Please help create the Master Plan for North Cheyenne Cañon by attending these community workshops:
Tuesday, Oct 17
Thursday, Jan 25
Tuesday, March 6
All workshops will be held at Cheyenne Mountain High School, 1200 Cresta Road.
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). As of October 12, there were still some spots left.
10 am- 4 pm, 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.
Visitation of Garden of the Gods Park is anticipated to reach nearly four million in 2017. With the increase in visitors, the existing restroom facilities within the park are inadequate.
Help inform a park Facilities Improvement Plan. Citizens and interested parties are invited to take a survey and attend a public open house to provide feedback.
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.
