News Wednesday June 3, 2020

Mountain Shadows Open Space Acquisition

The TOSC Board of Directors voted unanimously to support the purchase of 340 acres of land adjacent to Blodgett Open Space that will provide more recreation opportunities and trail connectivity to Blodgett and Pike National Forest. The purchase includes 193 acres of Black Canyon Quarry with plans to convert that land into a trailhead serving Waldo Canyon. The proposal also includes a donation of 100 acres of Pikeview Quarry for a world class bike park at a later date.To learn more about this potential land aquisition visit coloradosprings.gov.
We strive to be your “eyes, ears and voice” for trails, parks and open space. We support this purchase because:
  • The open space was identified in the 2014 Parks Master Plan as open space that should be acquired.
  • The Black Canyon Quarry is the best option to provide an adequate trailhead for the very popular Waldo Canyon.
  • The TOPS Working Committee and Parks Advisory Board overwhelmingly support this purchase.
  • Providing additional recreation opportunities will help lessen overcrowding, better serve our active community and further establish Colorado Springs as a world class outdoor recreation destination.
Please contact members of city council, AllCouncil@coloradosprings.gov, and encourage them to support this TOPS land purchase. 
Re-Open the Incline

A decade ago, citizens came together to find a way to legally open the Incline. TOSC was part of that effort and helped form the Incline Friends group. 10 years later there are still those people who would prefer to keep the Incline closed. They cannot prevail. While it was judicious to initially close the Incline due to the pandemic, we now know that the virus does not easily spread outdoors. We believe many Incline users – if asked – would voluntarily stagger their use and help minimize the risk. We also believe a volunteer ambassador program TOSC is developing in conjunction with Incline Friends could support that effort. With gyms and sports clubs closed, we need ALL our trails open. Trails contribute to our physical and mental health. Contact us if you’d like to be an Incline Ambassador! Please submit your input to the City of Manitou, feedback submitted here will go directly to the City Council, City Engineer, and Deputy City Administrator. Let’s open the Incline!

PARK AND TRAIL UPDATES

 
Detour on Crew’s Gulch Trail
Temporary detour/closure for Crew’s Gulch Trail June 4, to June 18, 2020 due to Widefield Water and Sanitation project. Utilities will be installing a new waterline between Hwy 85 and Southmoor Drive. During this project, portions of the trail will be unavailable. Detour/closure signs will be posted along the trail while construction is taking place. El Paso County advises trail users to pay attention and proceed with caution.

Shooks Run Trail Closure
Shooks Run Trail between Columbia St and Uintah St is closed due to construction. This is one of the 2B projects, existing asphalt will be removed and replaced. The new concrete trail will be 10-feet wide with a 2-foot gravel running path on one side of the trail. The project also includes four new, ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps.
Bike Colorado Springs recommended detour – the lowest stress route is marked in blue, use Uintah sidewalk to connect to the Corona St.
Midland Trail Connection
The long-awaited Adams Crossing Bridge has been completed! This is part of the Westside Avenue Action Plan: Gateway to Revitalization project that started in 2015. After many years, this once “No Man’s Land” has been transformed into a safe, beautiful corridor between the cities of Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs. Additional work is being performed at Ridge Road, but the new concrete trail under Colorado Avenue is open, allowing users to connect to the existing Midland Trail, which leads to Manitou Springs. 
 
North Cheyenne Canyon Update
Bathroom facilities at Starsmore and Helen Hunt Visitor Center have reopened. Exhibits remain closed to the public.
Park Playgrounds
This week the Governor is considering lifting restrictions on park playgrounds. A ruling is expected later this week.

Reminder: Red Rock Canyon Open Space

Construction began, May 26, to add 45 spaces to the main parking lot of Red Rock Canyon Open Space at Highway 24. The project also includes the creation of a new trailhead with 17 additional parking spaces along 26th Street, slightly north of Gold Camp Road. The open space will remain open throughout construction, but about half of the parking lot will be closed for approximately two weeks. If the parking lots are at capacity, please find another place to recreate that day. Your patience will be repaid when you come back and find more parking than ever before. Weather depending, the entire project is expected to be completed in early July!

TOSC

Starlight Spetacular
We will have to forgo midnight pancakes and lit-up bikes in the Garden of the Gods this year. Out of an abundance of caution and love for our supporters and participants, the 26th riding of the Starlight Spectacular will have to wait until June 19th, 2021. Although we will not be able to gather and celebrate our wonderful biking and trails community this Father’s Day, there is hope on the horizon. Join TOSC for a virtual biking event, full of flare and lighthearted fun, coming in September 2020! Until then, this Father’s Day Weekend, wear your favorite Starlight Spectacular shirt when you BBQ or light up your bike and go for a slow roll around your neighborhood!
Businesses and Park Cleanups
In a typical year, there would have been dozens of trail workdays and cleanups by this time. 2020 has been anything but typical. While business is slow, some companies are using this opportunity to give back to our community. Employees from T. Rowe Price teamed up with TOSC to pick up trash in and around Fox Run Regional Park. Adventures Out West, TOSC and Friends of Ute Valley Park came together to “Pick It Up”. Although small in scale, these cleanups are making a big impact. TOSC is dedicated to helping businesses find ways to support our trails and open spaces, contact aaron@trailsandopenspaces.org.

 
Looking for a park or trail that has fewer people? TOSC is here to help! Visit Get Out Spread Out. We have created several relive videos all over town. Explore virtually, then use our route info to plan your own outing. Please do your part to keep our community healthy by follow physical distancing guidelines while recreating outdoors. We are all in this together.

A couple of small parking lots are located near the gates of Rainbow Falls on Serpentine Drive in Manitou Springs. This park is only open on Saturday and Sundays in the summer months and a donation is highly encouraged to enter the park. There is an easy, short trail leading from the front gates to the falls (.15 miles). This park is known for the historic bridge over Fountain Creek, a medium sized waterfall and the ability to wade out into the creek on hot days. No climbing is allowed in this park. 

Community

Guardians of Palmer Park Workday, Sat. June 6, 8:00 – 12:30 pm. Due to the ongoing public health situation with COVID-19, there are some new rules in effect for those who wish to volunteer for this event. Volunteers have to sign up before the event to participate. Groups will be limited to 10, face masks are required, tools will be disinfected before and after use (single user per tool provided) and participants will practice social distancing of at least 6 feet. There will be three separate work groups:
  • Group 1 will be doing mitigation work in South Canyon.It will meet in the parking lot at the end of the South Canyon road. If you wish to join this group please preregister at: http://cerv.is/m?0132gYjPkRY
  • Group 2 will do trash pickup throughout the park. It will meet at the Maizeland Parking Lot near the Storage container next to the Baseball field. To preregister for this group go to: http://cerv.is/m?0132gUtSSCT
  • Group 3 will pick up dog waste and trash on the Yucca/Mesa trails (the dog off-leash area). It will meet at the Yucca Area / Ute Crest, parking lot.To preregister for this group go to: http://cerv.is/m?0132gpakXYx
Colorado Bike Month
Colorado is a premier bicycling state. To celebrate bicycling for transportation, fun and health, Colorado has designated each June as Bike Month. At the same time, Colorado joins a nationwide effort to encourage cycling novices and enthusiasts to experience the fun and freedom of safely riding a bike to work, school, errands and recreation. While Bike to Work Month is still in June, Bike to Work Day has been postponed to Tuesday, September 22, 2020 due to COVID-19.

 

Congratulations to our Business Partners honored in this years’ Gazette Best of Springs Competition:

Adam’s Mtn Cafe
Bristol Brewing
Cerberus Brewing
City Rock
Criterium
ENT Credit Union
Heuberger Subaru
Jersey Mikes
Kangaroo Coffee 
Marigold Café and Bakery
Old Town Bike Shop
Picnic Basket Catering
Poor Richard’s
REI
Streetcar 520
The Margarita at Pine Creek    
Timberline Landscaping
Urban Egg  
Wag N Wash
Wooglin’s Deli 

Experts pick: “Nature’s Best Friends” The answer: Friends Groups! (we couldn’t agree more!!)

A huge thank you to Lauren Collier and LdC Property Consulting for their annual contribution to the Trails and Open Space Coalition! Live Dream Colorado is a committed member of 1% for the planet and TOSC is the fortunate beneficiary! Learn more about 1% for the planet.

We honor the passing of Dr. J. Richard Brusenhan. Dr. Brusenhan was a TOSC member and well known doctor in Colorado Springs. Over his lifetime he summited 25-14ers and cared about our trails, parks and open spaces. We thank friends who have contributed to TOSC in his memory.

Trails and Open Space Coalition

 

Coal is a proud member of TOSC. He loves parks and trails, and is one of the many ultra users in COS. Right now, when you become a member of TOSC you can add your dog as a member for just $10 AND we will send you a TOSC Dog Bandanna (while supplies last)!

Join the Coalition
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