How to Preserve Open Space
From time to time we get questions from members that perhaps you wonder about too.“How does a parcel of property get ‘saved’ as open space?”
If the parcel is in Colorado Springs, the owner is a “willing seller,” and the land has been identified in the last parks master plan as a candidate open space, (or it has conservation values that make it valuable to preserve) it could be a TOPS purchase (Trails Open Space and Parks.) You’ll find links to TOPS applications on our TOSC website. The city’s TOPS page also has information about submitting a TOPS application. The application is short but the process is not. Nevertheless – it’s worth pursuing if the property meets TOPS criteria.
If the parcel is in El Paso County, contact county parks staff for more information. EPC does not have a TOPS program and purchasing property is more difficult, but not impossible.
And of course, you can always contact TOSC. We’re here for you!
Proud of Parks (Staff)
Yes we are! And now we have even more reasons to be proud.For the first time, our Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services department has joined the ranks of elite park and recreation agencies across the country by earning accreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). This is the first time Colorado Springs has received CAPRA accreditation.
It’s difficult, demands a lot of staff time and was made harder during the pandemic. There are only 186 accredited parks departments in the U.S. Only 9 in Colorado
It’s a little like making the playoffs in the world of parks.
Congratulations!
The Story of Us
The Youth Advisory Council (YAC), a group of 20+ young residents of Southeast Colorado Springs has been working with the Resilient Inspired Strong & Engaged (RISE) Coalition on the ongoing Panorama Park master planning and now construction project with great success. They have been integral to the ongoing effort and have taken on additional responsibilities as the opportunities presented themselves.With the Covid-19 environment forcing no in-person activities, a unique and innovative project was launched in collaboration with the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. They created a Southeast Colorado Springs Story of Us initiative focused on health equity and the personal accounts and stories surrounding the access that Southeast residents have, or do not presently have, to parks, trails and places for recreation. These and other critical indicators are key elements that make up a healthy community. A display of their work was recently installed in the Sand Creek Library.
The youth were able to capture stories about the parks, trails and other spaces throughout Southeast Colorado Spring that are important to the individuals interviewed. The “story of us” highlights the critical need for additional opportunities for recreation, access to parks and the positive health outcomes that can be achieved for the community.
PARK AND TRAIL News
Black Forest Park
El Paso County Parks has released an updated trails map of Black Forest Park. This new map will be posted in the park next week with plans issuing one of our stylized maps in 2021, similar to Pineries. For now though, this has the most current trails shown.
Ice Skating at Acacia ParkIt’s that time of year again! The 7th Annual Skate in the Park. The ice rink is under construction and will be open November 13, 2020 – January 31, 2021!
Visit www.downtowncs.com/skate for more information!
Goose Gossage Sports Complex
Effective this week, the 3 parking lots at the south end of Goose Gossage Sports Complex will close for the season, and will remain closed through March 2021. Additional parking is available on Mark Dabling Blvd. and in parking lots at the north end of the park.
Fox Run Regional ParkThe large dog park at Fox Run has a construction project underway to help prevent erosion in the park and parking lot. A second entrance has been added. Berms are being build to help redirect excess water. This project is expected to be finished in a few days.
TOSC
IndyGive!November 1 – December 31
Indy Give! is a fun end of year campaign that makes it easy for everyone to get involved in local philanthropy. From November 1st to December 31st, you can support your favorite local outdoor spaces with a donation to TOSC through Give. For gifts larger than $25, you will receive rewards from Give such as free food and drinks from local restaurants or tickets to events. This year, the first $11,7775 in donations will be matched dollar for dollar by generous local companies, foundation and individuals including: 45 Degree Gallery, El Pomar Foundation, The Bloom Foundation, Timberline Landscaping Inc and the TOSC Board of Directors. Let’s propel TOSC to the top of the Indy Give leaderboard! Donate NOW at indygive.com/nonprofit/trails.
TOSC 20|20 ChallengeFox Run is the park to visit in November!
Enjoy 4 miles of multi-use trails that wind through a beautiful pine forest. Amenities include: gazebo by the water, playground, playing fields, dog park and picnic area. Share a photo from your trip on Facebook or Instagram using #tosc2020challenge for a chance to win a cool wood ornament from Five Peaks!
Paint Mines Guided HikeSaturday, November 14, 8:00-10:30 AM
Join a Bear Creek Nature Center naturalist at the Paint Mines Interpretive Park in Calhan, exploring hoodoos, discussing the natural and cultural history of the area. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and dress for the weather, bring water, sunscreen, hat, snacks. Meet at main parking lot (the one with restroom). To register call 719-520-6387. Prepaid $5 registration required. #tosc2020challenge
Community
PPRR Trail Clean UpSat. Nov 7, 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Help the Pikes Peak Road Runners tidy up their adopted section of the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail. Monthly cleanups are held to pick up trash and other treasures along the trail. Meet near America the Beautiful Park, on Cimino Drive just south of Colorado Ave. Look for the parking lot on to the east. The cleanups last for about two hours. Everybody is welcome to come and help clean the trail. Wear your mask and bring a pair of work gloves and dress for the weather. Trash bags will be provided. Learn more.
Palmer Park Work DaySat. Nov 7, 9:00 – 12:30 PM
The Guardians of Palmer Park invite you to help out at Palmer Park this Saturday! Due to COVID-19, participation will be limited and social distancing protocols will be in place. #tosc2020challenge
- Group 1 will be doing mitigation work along Lazy Land Road. It will meet in the parking lot at the end of the Lazy Land road. Please Pre-register here.
- 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. Pre-register for Group 2.
- Group 3 will pick up dog waste and any other trash that may be found on the Yucca/Mesa trails (the dog off-leash areas). It will meet at the Yucca Area / Ute Crest, parking lot. Pre-register for Group 3.
Bear Run 2020Sat. November 7, 10:00 AM
Bear Creek Nature Center is hosting the 6th Annual Bear Run! Runners suit suit up in bear costumes for this silly, family-friendly 5k and 3k fun run & walk on the beautiful trails of Bear Creek Regional Park. The course contains some uphill and downhill sections. This year’s run will take place in staggered waves of no more than 25 runners. Embellish your suit to win prizes by entering in the costume contest.
Physical Activity & Covid-19Researchers in the Health Sciences Department at UCCS are performing a research study to understand recreational physical activity behavior in Colorado Springs before, during, and after Colorado’s COVID-19 Stay at Home restrictions. They are looking for adults in Colorado Springs ages 18-65 to take an online survey. Even if you do not consider yourself active, we would love for you to take the survey (it is completely anonymous) and share the link with your friends and family. Participation is voluntary and there is no compensation for taking the survey. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes of your time. If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Odell at nodell@uccs.edu. Follow this link to take the survey!