Get Out Spread Out Goes National!
TOSC was honored to be invited by Trust for Public Land to present highlights of our Get out Spread out project at this years’ Walk Bike Places Conference in Indianapolis. Appearing virtually, we were part of a panel discussion sharing how non-profit groups creatively pivoted during COVID. Our Get Out Spread Out initiative has been used by 70,000+ folks since it was created and continues to serve the region.During the pandemic community leaders steered trail users to the TOSC website as a way to spread out usage on crowded trails and parks. Local Public Radio KRCC featured weekly trails for several months during the height of the pandemic. Get out Spread out was even featured in the New York Times!
Special thanks to TPL for giving us the opportunity to share what we learned with community leaders around the country and for their financial support for the program.
Access hikes, walks and bike rides featured on Get Out Spread Out:
PARK AND TRAIL News
New Pedestrian Bridge Opens Tomorrow
The new bridge connects America the Beautiful Park with southwest downtown. Planning and construction took years to complete. Now walkers and cyclists will be able to exit the Pikes Peak Greenway, cross through ATB Park and use the bridge to cross the railroad tracks safely and access redesigned Vermijo Ave. The bridge is 250 feet long, weighs 300 ton and is 30 feet above ground. It took an entire year to complete and install. PPRTA helped fund the bridge.
Pickleball Courts at Bear Creek Regional Park
12 new pickle ball courts are now open to the public thanks to generous support from Pikes Peak Pickleball Association, El Pomar and El Paso County Parks. The new courts are located on the south-west side of the park adjacent the tennis courts. Arguably the fastest growing sport in the country, there’s a need and demand for additional pickleball courts in this region. The new courts will provide additional opportunities for players of all ages and abilities and provide space for future tournaments. Pikes Peak Pickleball Association offers free lessons to beginners. To learn more: www.pikespeakpickleball.com/free-lessons
TOPS Properties to VisitSharie Dodge (Office Manager) – The most important TOPS property to me is the Homestead Trail. I use the Homestead Trail almost daily because it is so close to my home. It’s great for walking my dog and getting a dose of nature. The northern section follows the creek and connects to Cottonwood Creek Trail, providing access to miles of other trails and great running loops. I’m eager to see the gap between Templeton Gap Rd and High Chaparral Open Space filled in, but it’s easy enough to use the sidewalk to get between the segments. When I want a challenge, I ride the southern section of the Homestead Trail; it’s full of rolling hills and the trail ranges from dirt to concrete to eroding asphalt. It’s a tough trail, but it has some great views, several neighborhood connections, and quite a few parks to enjoy.
If You See This On A Trail Do You Know What It Means?
If you’re out hiking or riding and come across an upside down bike in the middle of a trail it means someone has been injured and can’t be easily moved from the trail. Obviously another rider has placed their bike on the trail to alert other users of the hazard. That other rider may be trying to render aid to the injured person. So If you arrive on the scene and can offer help, please do what you can, even if it’s dialing 911.
Estes Park Acquires Thumb Open Space
The Town of Estes Park acquired 65 acres on the south side of Prospect Mountain for a public open space, known as the Thumb Open Space. Since the 1940s the Thumb and Needle, two iconic rock features, have been a favorite rock-climbing destination, but private ownership hindered access. GOCO supported the purchase with a $350,000 grant. Support from Access Fund, Estes Valley Land Trust, Rocky Mountain Conservancy, the Town of Estes Park, and the landowner also made the project possible.
TOSC
Woodstock here. I’m a TOSC Dog Member and proud of it! I was named after the little bird in the Peanuts family (not the famous hippie music festival of the 60’s). I’m the lone survivor of my siblings and am grateful that I am a member of the Rigney household (cats included) My BFF is a cat names Sage.I have the great good fortune to live just a block from Garden of the Gods Park and know all the trails there by heart. But my absolute favorite is the Bear Creek Dog Park where I bump chests with other dogs and lay in the cool water of Bear Creek.
I have my own window with my name on it where I show off my cool TOSC dog bandana and greet all the dogs and hikers that go by. As one dog to another, get your parents to give you the gift of dog membership to TOSC, so we can get more trails and open space to play in. See you at the park!
Community
Family PopCycle Rides are back!!!
We are excited to announce the return of our favorite family rides. This year Kids on Bikes has changed it up a bit and will be hosting PopCycle Rides at different locations throughout the city. All rides start at 1pm.
Learn more at kidsonbikes.net.
Then and Now Exhibit
Thur. July 8, 6:00 – 8:30 pm
Come to Library 21c to view 50 pairs of “then and now” photos and watch the debut of Jamey Hasting’s documentary film about the creation of this project. As part of the Colorado Springs Sesquicentennial celebration, photographer Mike Pach recreated historic images from the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, the Pikes Peak Library District collections and other archives. Then and Now Exhibit will be on display from July 8th until August 31st. Pach is an award-winning, internationally recognized photographer and speaker known for his 365-day project “Same Tree, Different Day.”
Equestrian Skills Course Work Day
July 10, 9:00 – 12:00 pm
Join the Friends of the Equestrian Skills Course the second Saturday of each month to help build and maintain the course. This unique resource is free and open to the public, constructed by passionate volunteers. Come leaned a hand at Bear Creek Regional Park!
Questions? Call 719-748-8543 or connect on Facebook.