News April 10, 2019
News April 10, 2019
Trail Closures
The Pikes Peak Greenway Trail will be closed for maintenance from Legacy Loop Plaza to Popcycle Bridge starting Monday, April 8th. The maintenance project should be completed in about a week, depending on the weather.
The Sesame Canyon Trail is off limits and is set for decommissioning this summer. Use of the trail is unauthorized by the U.S. Forest Service, as ordered by the Bear Creek Watershed Restoration Environmental Assessment. Violators may be ticketed.

E-Scooters in our Community
Thank you to everyone that has completed our E-Scooter Survey!
87% of respondents think that e-scooters should use bike lanes / streets; 34% support scooters on trails, while 64% oppose trail use. Many comments expressed concern that these motorized vehicles will have a negative impact on our trails and create several public safety issues that will need to be addressed, such as speed, user etiquette and docking locations.
The Trails and Open Space Coalition will be sharing this information with City Counsel and the Parks Board. We hope to help our community take a proactive approach to addressing how this unique mode of transportation will fit into our city.
Events
TOSC Membership Hike
Sat. April 13th 10:00 – 12:00 pm
North Cheyenne Canon Park: 3440 North Cheyenne Canon Road
Join us for our first members-only adventure of 2019! The Trails and Open Space Coalition (TOSC) Members will be joining up with the Friends of Cheyenne Canon to explore one of the newest trails in the area. The Buffalo Canyon Trail is a short easy/moderate loop with lots to check out.
Click here to register. Registration closes April 11 at 6:00 pm.
This is a Members-Only event. Please do not sign up for this hike if you are not a current Trails and Open Space Coalition Member or Friends of Cheyenne Canon Member. For questions about membership status, please call 719-633-6884. To become a member, please click here to donate.
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 be a part of reviewing trail and access alternatives among other important topics at the second planning workshops for the Waldo Canyon project.
Pikes Peak Regional Crew Leader Training
Friday – Sunday, April 26th – 28th
Starsmore Discovery Center
2120 S Cheyenne Cañon Rd
Crew Leader Training has only 5 more spot available, don’t miss your chance to register! Meet amazing people and make a big impact in your community by helping to maintain and improve our trails and public lands.
Application deadline is April 22.
Visit www.rmfi.org for more info.
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 our late night community bike ride. Adventure through the moonlit streets of Garden of the Gods and west Colorado Springs on your illuminated bike. This lively event if full of fun and amusement for the whole family. Enjoy a night of spectacular food, entertainment and comradery. Only early birds are guaranteed a t-shirt, so register now! Have friends or family visiting from out of town? Book a room at Hyatt Place Garden of the Gods, Starlight participants get access to special discounts.
We need volunteers!
There are a variety of roles you can sign up for. It doesn’t matter if you are a social butterfly or like work in a small group before the event happens. There will a perfect spot for everyone.
2019 American Discovery Trail Marathon
Mon. September 2, 6:30 – 12:00 pm
America The Beautiful Park
121 Cimino Drive
Compete in a scenic marathon, half marathon or 10k with live music, a crowd-pleasing spread and beer garden at the post-race party! The Pikes Peak Road Runners’ American Discovery Trail (ADT) Marathon benefits the Trails and Open Space Coalition and Pikes Peak Road Runners. The ADT Marathon is recognized as a premier race event by local and out-of-state runners.
Looking for a new way to advertise? Contact aaron@trailsandopenspaces.orgto become a sponsor.
Volunteer Projects
Spring is in the air and volunteer opportunities are blooming. Check out ourVolunteer Calendar for details about community projects and how to connect with one or several of our amazing friends groups that help keep our incredible parks, trails and open spaces accessible and beautiful!
Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates
Trail Love at Red Rock Canyon Open Space
3550 W High St, 2nd Red Rock Parking Lot
Trail Maintenance
Fri. April 12, 8:30 – 2:00 pm
Wed. April 24, 8:30 – 2:00 pm
Fri. April 26, 8:30 – 2:00 pm
410 JL Ranch Heights Rd
Contact darcy.mount@state.co.us for more info.
Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI)
Trail Maintenance at Garden of the Gods
1805 N 30th St, Colorado Springs
Friends of Monument Valley ParkFacebook Event for Monthly Clean Up
Sat. April 13, 9:00 – 12:00 pm
223 Mesa Rd
Work Day
Sat. April 13, 9:00 – 3:00 pm
1045 Lower Gold Camp Rd
Call (719) 748-8543 for more info.
Manitou CATS
Sun. April 14, 8:00 – 1:00 pm
Manitou Springs Free Parking Lot
10 Oldman’s Trail, Manitou Springs
Friends of the Peak
Sun. April 14, 8:00 – 3:30 pm
Friends of Ute Valley Park
Wed. April 17, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
1648 Pinon Park Drive
Great American Cleanup
April 27, 9:00 – 12:00 pm
More than different 20 locations
Friends and Partner News
Parties for Parks
Thur. April 11, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Trails End Taproom
3103 W Colorado Ave
Drop by Trails End to celebrate our county parks! Chat with Friends Groups and Park staff to learn more about Bear Creek, Jones Park, Rainbow Falls, and Ute Pass. Enjoy food, drinks and fun.
2019 EARTH CORPS FIELD STUDIES COURSE
Program Dates: July 8-28, 2019 @ Willow Lake Basin
Calling all college students! Live and learn in the incredible natural classroom of the Colorado wilderness. Earth Corps students will complete environmental restoration projects, learn and practice outdoor leadership, Leave No Trace ethics, back-country navigation, alpine mountaineering, and risk management skills. To learn more or to apply, visit www.rmfi.org
Application Deadline is April 12, 2019.
2019 Bike Swap
Sat. April 13, 10:00 – 4:00 pm
SoccerHaus 4845 List Drive
Check out Colorado Springs’ largest bicycling gear swap. Proceeds benefit Kids on Bikes and Pedal Station. New and Used Cycling Gear from 100+ Vendors!
Trails, Tails and Ales
Sat. April 13, 10:30 am
Bear Creek Regional Park East
2002 Creek Crossing
Grab your dog and join the Bear Creek Nature Center for a special hike! Go for an easy hike at Bear Creek, then head to Cerberus Brewing Company to enjoy a beer. Pre-registration required, activity # 501100.
Hike Rock Pond Trail
Sun. April 14, 9:30 am
Mueller State Park
21045 CO-67, Divide
Come explore Rock Pond and Canyon, it’s a great year round trail! Join Volunteer Naturalist Rose for this moderate to difficult 5-mile hike. Snowshoes, spikes and poles recommended!
Geology of Cheyenne Canon and
Stratton Open Space
Thur. April 18, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Starsmore Visitor Center
2120 S Cheyenne Cañon Rd
Come learn about the geology in our region. The Friends of Stratton Open Space have recruited professional geologist Jay Temple to share a presentation on the geology of Cheyenne Canon and Stratton Open Space. Jay has led university seminars in the geology of Cheyenne Canon as well as trained geologists and volunteers on the geology of Garden Of The Gods.
Thur. April 25, 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Solid Rock Christian Life Center
2520 Arlington Drive
Attend the public open house to learn more about the Circle Drive Bridges Project (I-25 and Harrison High, Hancock Expressway, BNSF railroad, Pikes Peak Greenway, and E Las Vegas St). These bridges were built in 1963 and exceeded their lifespan. Come provide input on the planning and design for replacement of the bridges.
Public Open House forCircle Drive Bridges
Visit coloradosprings.gov for more info.
City Nature Challenge
April 26 – 29th
Be a part of the 2019 City Nature Challenge! We need as many citizen scientists as possible to document all the flora and fauna we have in the region, that includes regional parks, open spaces, city parks and even your own backyard. Just download the free iNaturalist app and collect pictures and info of all the nature (wildlife, birds, plants and bugs) you see April 26 – 29th.
To learn more about the project visit coloradosprings.gov.
Panorama Park Open House
Fri. April 26, 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Panorama Middle School
2145 South Chelton Road
Come to the Panorama Park Open House to learn about and share your ideas about this huge park renovation project! This 13.5 acre neighborhood park located in Southeast Colorado Springs will soon receive the largest neighborhood park renovation in city history. This initial meeting will focus on creating a multi-generational play experience that is welcoming to all.
Visit coloradosprings.gov orFacebook Event for more info.
Learn more on Facebook.
Spring Fling 5K Poker Ride/Run
Sat. April 27, 9:00 – 12:00 pm
Equestrian Skills Course – Bear Creek Regional Park
1045 Lower Gold Camp Rd
Join the Friends of the Equestrian Skills Course for a great multi-user trail event! Bring the whole family (including friendly horses and dogs) to play. Anyone can win the Spring Fling 5K Poker Ride/Run, its a non-speed event. Proceeds benefit the building of the equestrian skills course.
WILDERNESS FIRST AID
Sat. April 27, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM &
Sun April 28, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Manitou Middle School
415 El Monte Pl, Manitou Springs
The Manitou Monsters High School Mountain Bike team is offering Wilderness First Aid and CPR training. This course is perfect for anyone who recreates, coaches or leads groups more than one hour away from medical support services. The training is open to the public and includes 16 hours of hands on training and a Wilderness First Aid Certificate upon completion.
Public Lands News
Oil Well Flats and Garden Park Hike
Sun. April 14 10:00 – 3:00 pm
FS Rd 5940, Cañon City
Oil Well Flats is a popular mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding area north of Canon City along the Red Canyon Road. This hike of approximately 7 miles with 800 feet elevation gain will cross the northern portion of the joint use area and visit the Cooper Mountain, along a trail limited to hikers and horseback riders. Upon our return to the trailhead, we will also visit the dinosaur quarry at Garden Park, a hike of about 3/4 mile with elevation gain of 150 feet. We will learn about the Eastern Colorado Resource Management Plan and how it could affect the area. Bring lunch, snacks, water, clothing and footwear suitable for the weather conditions. Route plans could change in light of weather conditions. An optional carpool from Colorado Springs will be arranged. Registration requires to participate in the hike.
For more information or to register, contact Jim Lockhart at 719-385-0045 or jlock@datawest.net.
Visit www.wildconnections.org to learn more.
Do your shopping at smile.amazon.com and Amazon will donate to Trails and Open Space Coalition!
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