News March 13, 2019

News March 13, 2019
Largest Neighborhood Park Renovation in City History
Panorama Park will soon receive the largest neighborhood park renovation in city history. The City and several partners have drafted plans to upgrade the park, including: a new playground, walking paths, lighting and a community gathering space. Parks department will continue to gather community feedback about the park’s renovation this spring and summer, with plans to begin construction in 2020.
Youth Advisory Council for Panorama Park
Youth advocates wanted! Work with community leaders and design professionals to transform Panorama Park into a truly amazing park for the whole community. Youth will be compensated for their time. Application deadline is March 22.
2019 Colorado Springs Elections
You should have received your ballot for the Mayoral race and City Council-at-Large seats. The Trails and Open Space Coalition sent questions to the candidates on topics like TOPS, Parks Funding, Bike Lanes and Park Priorities. Not all candidates chose to participate, but all were contacted and provided with the questions. View Questions and Answers.
View recording of City Council Candidate Debate on environment and energy at Colorado College.
Rock Ledge Ranch Update
For all of the folks who noticed the poles in front of the Rock Ledge Ranch near Garden of the Gods Park;Colorado Springs Utilities has put up temporary poles for the upcoming APPA Lineworkers Rodeo. After the event, the East field will quickly be restored and left in better condition than before. The Poles will be removed, all of the holes will be refilled and the field will be reseeded to produce a lush new landscape.
Public Lands News
Proposed Mining at Grape Creek
Thur. March 14, 8:00 – 10:00 am
1127 Sherman St, Denver
Voice your opinion at the Colorado State Land Board Meeting.The Board has decided to recommend allowing mining on the Grape Creek-Horseshoe Mountain State Stewardship Trust parcel, part of the proposed Grape Creek Wilderness area, just southwest of Cañon City. The Stewardship Trust Land allows “only those uses that will protect and enhance the beauty, natural values, open space and wildlife habitat of those lands.”
Visit WildConnections.org for more details and information.
Land and Water Conservation
The House of Representatives passed the Natural Resources Management Act, Senate Bill 47. This is a monumental victory for public lands and outdoor enthusiasts! The act includes permanent re-authorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and will increase federal investment in public lands. This bi-partisan legislation now heads to the President for approval.
Events
Sports & Recreation Expo
Thur. March 21, 5:00 – 8:30 pm
Ivywild School 1604 S Cascade Ave
Get ready for your summer of adventure at the Outdoor Sports and Rec Expo! Connect with local vendors to learn about events, fitness training and must-have gear. Meet up with CityRock, SUP Colorado Springs, The Fix Colorado, cts, Colorado Fun Guide, and The Trails and Open Space Coalition.
Pikes Peak Regional Crew Leader Training
Friday – Sunday, April 26th – 28th
Starsmore Discovery Center
2120 S Cheyenne Cañon Rd
Take your volunteering to the next level! Crew Leader Training is a great way to meet amazing people and make a bigger impact in your community. Crew Leaders are a crucial part of maintaining and improving our public lands.
More information and application available at rmfi.org.
25th Annual Starlight Spectacular
Sat. June 15, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am
Garden of the Gods: 1805 North 30th Street
Come be a part of one of the nation’s oldest and largest community bike rides; Early Bird Registration is now open. Cruise through the moonlit streets of Garden of the Gods and west Colorado Springs for 16, 21 or 23 miles—now with an early 4-mile kid friendly ride. This year we are celebrating “25 years of wild style.” Pick your favorite theme, superhero, wild west, space, the 60’s, pirates… get your costume, decorate your bike and join us for a spectacular night!
Starlight riders, families and friends are invited to make June 14-16, 2019 a special weekend with a stay at the Hyatt Place Garden of the Gods. Stay one night, or the whole weekend! Use this Booking Link to unlock the special rate of $149 per night. All the rooms have 2 double beds or a king bed, and a separate area with sofa sleeper. Rate includes fresh deluxe breakfast for your whole party, free Wi-Fi and parking.
Volunteer Projects
Garden of the Gods Needs Volunteers!
Garden of the Gods is actively seeking volunteers to help lead guided nature walks and connect people with the Garden of the Gods.There are lots of ways to volunteer, help out with the Information Desk, School Programs, 5k Fun Run events, Trail work and more.
Nature Center Volunteer Training
March 19 & 20, 8:30 – 2:00 pm
Bear Creek Nature Center
245 Bear Creek Road
Train to become an Environmental Education Leader for school field trip programs at Bear Creek Nature Center. Learn techniques and programs for connecting students to the foothills and surrounding ecosystems.
March 21 & 22, 8:30 – 2:00 pm
Fountain Creek Nature Center
320 Peppergrass Ln, Fountain
Train to become a Volunteer Field Trip Leader at Fountain Creek Nature Center. Learn techniques and programs for connecting students to the wetlands and surrounding ecosystems. For more information, please contact Paula 719-520-6387 befcvolunteers@gmail.com.
Trail Love at The Chutes
Thur. March 21, 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Chutes Parking Area
2159 Gold Camp Road
Medicine Wheel will be working on the long-awaited re-route of the Chutes Trail! Help clear a corridor for the new route. Tasks include cutting brush and scrub oak. Heavy snow prior to the event could cause cancellation, check Facebook for up-to-date info.
Friends of Bear Creek Dog Park Volunteer Orientation
Sat. March 23, 10:00 – 11:00 am
21ST St, Colorado Springs
Be the person your dog thinks you are and sign-up to be a Green Paws Volunteer! Help with monthly clean-up events, improvement projects, fundraising, and special events. The Friends of Bear Creek Dog Park is a 100% volunteer group looking for more helping hands, dog lovers and park users to join their team.
North Cheyenne Cañon Volunteer Training
Sat. March 23,  10:00 – 2:00 pm
Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center 2120 S Cheyenne Cañon Rd
Support North Cheyenne Cañon Park by volunteering! Volunteer roles include providing visitors with information, directions, assistance (at centers & on trails), helping with education programs and park events (Hummingbird Experience in May, Canya Cañon Run/Hike in November), and/or park clean-ups.
Shooks Run Trail Clean-up
Thur. March 28, 3:30 – 5:00 pm
PikeRide Office
739 E Pikes Peak Ave
Join PikeRide for their monthly Shooks Run trail clean-up on PikeRide bikes. Please be sure to register so there are enough bikes on hand for everyone. You will be amazed by the impact you can make!
Volunteer at Rainbow Falls
Volunteer Training
Sat. March 30, 10:00 am
Creekside Meeting Room
2002 Creek Crossing St.
Be a Volunteer Interpreter for Rainbow Falls Historic Site! For more information contact Theresa, TheresaOdello@elpasoco.com or (719) 520-6977.
April Stools Day
Sat. April 6, 9:00 – 12:00 pm
Bear Creek Dog Park
21ST St, Colorado Springs
Help clean up Bear Creek Dog Park! This beloved 10-acre dog park with benches, shaded areas, restrooms and agility course needs some community love. Show your appreciation for this well used area by scooping some extra poop and picking up trash on April 6th.
Trail Work at North Cheyenne Cañon Park
Sat. April 6, 8:30 – 3:00 pm &
Sun. April 7, 8:30 – 3:00 pm
North Cheyenne Cañon Park
2120 S Cheyenne Canyon Rd
Help finish the new Powell Connector Trail in North Cheyenne Cañon Park!
This will be a technical trail work day, perfect for those looking for the chance to sharpen your trail work skills, or new volunteers that are eager to learn. Volunteers must commit to a full workday.
Friends and Partner News
Nature Center Survey
Last chance to share your thoughts! Nature centers are meant to connect visitors to their natural and cultural resources and inspire them to become stewards for the environment. Community input is essential in determining the feasibility of location, potential partnerships and collaborations, as well as the long-term use and maintenance of a potential northern El Paso County Nature Center.
Click here to take the survey, deadline is March 15.
Gateway to Geology
Fri. March 15, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
A lively introduction to the Garden of the Gods amazing geology. Begin with a lively indoor presentation, exploring ancient landscapes, dinosaurs, oceans, and glaciers along the way. Then venture through the park on a guided walk to experience the park’s natural wonders firsthand. Reservation required.
Parties for Parks
Sat. March 16, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, at Fountain Creek Nature Center
320 Peppergrass Ln, Fountain
Join Fountain Creek Nature Centerfor a fun community celebration of our County Parks! Enjoy the short film “The Garden Experience” followed by Parties for Parks reception with food and drinks.
Proposed Outdoor Shooting Range on El Paso County Land
Tue. March 19, 9:00 am
2880 International Cir
Share your opinion about recreational shooting on county land. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is hosting a hearing to discuss approval to allow an outdoor shooting range on a parcel of land near highway 24 and Yoder Rd. The property is currently zoned for agricultural use and is in close proximity to Ramah State Wildlife Area.
For more information please contact Planning and Community Development, 719-520-6300.
Women in the Backcountry and the Boardroom
Tue. March 19, 4:00 – 6:30 pm
Ent Center for the Arts: 5225 N Nevada Ave
Join El Pomar Foundation for a discussion about women’s opportunities, contributions and engagements in the outdoor industry. Hilaree Nelson O’Neill, one of the most accomplished mountaineers in the outdoor industry, will be sharing her team’s expedition to Khakabo Razi in northern Myanmar.
Full Moon Photo Hike & Workshop
Wed. March 20, 6:00– 8:00 pm
245 Bear Creek Rd
Join Mike Pach for a guided photo shoot to capture the full moon rising over the city! Bring your camera, tripod, telephoto and wide-angle lenses. Prepaid registration required, activity# 101000-28.
Parties for Parks
Wed. March 20, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
JAK’s Brewing
11860 Stapleton Dr, Falcon
Drop in to meet local Friends Groups and Parks Staff and chat about what’s new with County Parks. Enjoy food, drinks and fun provided by JAK’s Brewing and Papa Johns Pizza!
Spring Equinox Night Hike
Wed. March 20, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Celebrate the beginning of spring with a special astronomy hike through Garden of the Gods Park. Learn about traditions and stories inspired by the spring night sky. Reservations required.
Introduction to Wilderness Survival
Thur. March 28, 6:00 – 8:30 pm
Bear Creek Nature Center
245 Bear Creek Road
Learn the basics of Wilderness survival! Colorado Native Jason Marsteiner’s lectures will touch on the top 10 must have items in the back-country, common mistakes, wildlife awareness and more.
Registration required, activity# 501200-02.
Junior Naturalist Day
Sat. March 30, 12:00 – 3:00 pm
Bear Creek Nature Center
245 Bear Creek Rd
Become a Junior Naturalist! This is a great opportunity for families with children ages 7-12 to explore Bear Creek. There will be guided hikes, touch tables and educational exhibits.
Austin Bluffs Open Space Community Meeting
Tue. April 2, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Grant Elementary School
3215 Westwood Blvd
Be a part of the master planning process for Austin Bluffs Open Space. The City is hosting a public meeting to develop a plan for the sustainable development of recreational opportunities in the open space as well as guidance for appropriate management of the natural resources.
Visit coloradosprings.gov for more infomration.
Re-Imagine Waldo Canyon Community Workshop
Wed. April 17, 6:00 – 8:30 pm
Westside Community Center Gym
1628 W Bijou St
Lets Re-Imagine Waldo Canyon together! The entire community is invited to attend the second planning workshops for the Waldo Canyon project.
Do your shopping at smile.amazon.com and Amazon will donate to Trails and Open Space Coalition!
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