Olympic City USA
In the Tokyo Olympic Games, Team USA won 113 medals. 47% of those medals were won by Olympians who have lived or trained in Colorado Springs. While some of those Olympians trained at the Olympic Training Center or at the Velodrome in Memorial Park, many of these world class athletes turned to our parks, open spaces and trails to train. According to a recently published map by Olympic City USA on Facebook, the big hot spot for Olympians to train is the Manitou Incline. Caleb Dressel, winner of five gold medals in various swimming events in Tokyo, has used the Incline to train along with several other medalists. From Monument Valley Park to Pulpit Rock, you might just jog past a present or future Olympian.
PARK AND TRAIL News
The Peaks are Open!The Decalibron Loop Trail includes three 14ers: Mt Democrat, Cameron and Lincoln; a large portion of the trail is located on private property and the landowner closed public access May 2021. Colorado Mountain Club (CMC) installed signs this week, and the landowner gave the thumbs up to reinstate public access on the trail! Please note, users MUST stay on the designated trail and the summit of Mt. Bross remains closed due to fractional ownership. We appreciate the support from the trails community in respecting the closure earlier this season and we are grateful for the landowners who have spent a vast amount of time and financial resources to allow public access. And thank you CMC for all you hard work inspecting and documenting trail conditions and adding signage!
Catamount Trail Closure
The Catamount Trail, a popular hiking trail in the Ute Pass community of Green Mountain Falls, has been closed to the public due to an ongoing private property conflict. The Town of Green Mountain Falls Administration is “working diligently and expediently to resolve this issue so that the Catamount Trail can be enjoyed once again and in a timely manner.”
When updates are available, they will be posted on the Town of Green Mountain Falls’ website.
Cresta Pumptrack MeetingThur. Aug 12, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Join Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates (MWTA) at Bicycle Experience Bike Shop for a community meeting regarding the new bicycle pumptrack planned for Cresta Open Space as part of the North Cheyenne Canyon Master Plan. Provide input about the facility in general, and help choosing between 2 design concepts.
Temporary closure of Manitou Incline
Aug. 21-22, 6:00 AM – 5:30 PM
The Manitou Incline will be closed for the Pikes Peak Marathon and Ascent, Aug. 21 and 22. The races are hugely popular, hosting runners from across the country, and even without the spillover from the Incline, the Barr Trail is packed during the events. Please plan alternative hikes for this weekend!
America the Beautiful ParkSince 1997, the City of Colorado Springs has had a .1% sales tax that provides funding for the acquisition, development and preservation of trails, open space and parks. This TOPS funding has been used to preserve over 7,169 acres of open space, build 32 parks and construct over 50 miles of trails. America the Beautiful Park is one of the parks that received TOPS funding. In 2005, this iconic park opened in the heart of Downtown Colorado Springs near the confluence of Monument and Fountain Creeks. For outdoor recreationalists, this park provides access to the Midland trail and the Pikes Peak Greenway. Families flock to America the Beautiful Park in the summer to splash in the spray from the Julie Penrose Sculpture, a 4 story “continuum” design that towers above the park, and to play in the fully accessible playground. TOPS is an investment to ensure that our community will continue to add and maintain recreational assets that will continue to preserve outdoor spaces for generations to come.
TOSC
TOPS is on the Ballot!This week Colorado Springs City Council voted 9 to zero to place the TOPS initiative on the November ballot. After lengthy discussion Council Members agreed to add a non-binding resolution of intent that expressed their commitment to ongoing open space acquisition. The initiative increases the tax from
0.1% to 0.2% and extends it for 20 years. TOSC Board President Glenn Carlson and VP of Advocacy Scott Hente spoke in favor of the initiative on behalf the organization.
Trail Volunteers NeededSat. Aug 28, 8:00 – 11:00 AM
TOSC is partnering with Friends of Monument Preserve to tackle trail improvements. Plan to meet at the trailhead at the corner of Nursery Rd and Mt Herman Rd in Monument. More details to follow.
Please contact aaron@trailsandopenspaces.org if you are interested in volunteering!
Two Shoes Trek ChallengeSat. Sept 4 – 11, 2021
Race in the forest! The 2nd annual Two Shoes Trek Challenge will be a live race through the twisting trails of Fox Run Regional Park. On September 11th , runners will have the choice between 5k/10k/15k routes that will loop through the towering ponderosas of this amazing El Paso County Park property. Participants in this race will have the exclusive opportunity to purchase a custom designed BOCO Gear race hat. All proceeds will benefit the Trails and Open Space Coalition and the Pikes Peak Road Runners.
TOSC Member Celebration
Tue. Sept 14, 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Save the date for our Annual Member Party. Members and Partners are invited to join us in celebrating all we have accomplished this year and help us honor some outstanding individuals. Invitations with more info will be arriving soon.
Questions? contact beth@trailsandopenspaces.org.
TOSC Members Enjoy Guided Hike of Heller PropertyLast Saturday, TOSC members were invited to join UCCS and City staff for a guided hike of the Heller Property at UCCS. The 2.5 hour hike included stops at the Heller Center for the Arts and Humanities, Dr. Virginia Garth Trembly’s old homestead, the Windmill Project, and more. A special thanks to those responsible for coordinating and leading our hike: Anna Cordova, Dr. Minette Church, Dr. Karin Larkin, Margie Oldham, TJ Peck, and Dr. Max Shulman.
If you are interested in participating in hikes like these and you are not yet a member, we invite you to JOIN THE COALITION.
Community
Rainbow Falls Volunteer Day: Weed Removal
Fri. Aug 13, 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Spend a morning giving back to your community by helping clean up the weeds at Rainbow Falls. Be sure to dress appropriately, bring a water bottle and work gloves if you have them.
All are welcome: call 719-520-6977 to RSVP.
Help Keep Monument Valley Park Looking Its Best!
Sat. Aug 14, 9:00 – 12:00 PM
Join Friends of Monument Valley Park for the monthly Clean-Up. Whatever Time You Can Spare Will Make a Difference! Bring work gloves, water and sunscreen. Trash bags and tools provided. Meet at the W. Columbia St. Entrance (Intersection of W. Columbia St & Culebra Ave).
August LIQUID LECTURE@ Bristol Brewing
Thur. Aug 19, 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Following Fountain Creek across time is a rich source of history and culture. The patterns of use and abuse show us how much we have necessarily changed: from when pollution was buffalo dung to adding large-scale delivery systems, and from development to restoring wetlands. Fountain Creek’s historical significance is crucial to local quality of life and environmental planning. Attendees will receive $1 dollar off beers to enjoy during the program!
Email creekweeksoco@gmail.com to register and please indicate in person or virtual.
Happy TrailsFri. Aug 20, 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Join El Paso County Parks at Fox Run Park for the 12th Annual Happy Trails Fundraiser! This year’s event will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of El Paso County Parks and raise funds for a new Northern El Paso County Nature Center! Attendees will enjoy delicious Buffalo Gals BBQ dinner, drinks and decadent desserts that are a staple of this beloved event. Wirewood Station will fill the lakeside space with their special Americana sound. This is sure to be a magical evening in a breathtaking outdoor space as we celebrate and raise funds for a great cause! Registration closes Aug 12th.
Register online or call 719-520-6388.
Pikes Peak Bigfoot Hike & Hunt
Sat, Sept 18, 10:00 – 3:00 PM
Hunt for Bigfoot along part of the Ring the Peak trail, more specifically Mt Esther/Crow gulch Trail. This is a laidback hike, prizes for the first 3 participants to find Bigfoot. All hike-and-hunt registrations will receive a grab bag of goodies from Manitou Springs / West side merchants. 100% of registration fees goes directly to BARR CAMP INC. 501C nonprofit. Post-hunt festivities 6:00-8:00 PM at Lulu’s Downstairs enjoy good music, food/drink, fun and more prizes!
Ride or Volunteer for Pikes Peak APEX September 23-26
The Apex is a four-day mountain bike race, with stages held at USAFA, Mt Herman, Palmer Park and up in North Cheyenne Canon. The Apex aims to create a world-class event that drives economic impact to the area in order to improve the trails and open spaces in the Pikes Peak region for the lasting enjoyment of its residents and visitors. There are a bunch of shifts available, for volunteers who can spare a few hours or commit for a full day – or two. ALL our volunteers will get some thank-you swag!