Another amenity along the Legacy Loop in downtown Colorado Springs has reached a milestone, the rehabilitation of the Leon Young Picnic Pavilion. This project that has been in the works for over 2 years with a high level of involvement from local leadership from the Hillside neighborhood where this memorial to a historic figure stands.
Leon Young was a local businessman and entrepreneur who championed many neighborhood projects for the Hillside neighborhood and in other areas of Colorado Springs. He served for many years on the Colorado City Council and during his final term served as the first African American Mayor of our city. This community gathering place at the southern end of the Shooks Run Trail built in his honor is one of the lesser-known facilities named after Leon and unfortunately had fallen into a state of disrepair over the years.
In 2018, a community-led project was initiated by our Colorado Springs Parks department and using funds secured through the Community Block Development Fund, the process of rehabilitation and enhancement for this unique facility. Most of the major work has been completed and includes new lighting, electricity, picnic tables, benches, trash cans, a bike rack and more handicap-accessibility. The public is encouraged to visit this new location but please follow Covid guidelines for group sizes of under 10 people.
Additional work will still be performed including the creation of a memorial to Leon Young that could incorporate an art component.