2C Fails
Let us start by thanking all the wonderful groups and individuals who worked hard to get TOPS extended and increased. Many Friends groups, Conservation groups and community partners encouraged members to Vote Yes for 2C. We are so grateful to have had your support.
What Now?
The good news: TOPS does not expire until the end of 2025. We still have a great program committed to preserving open space as well as constructing and maintaining trails and parks for another four years.
We will continue to be your eyes, ears and voice on issues related to trails, parks and open spaces.
As you recall, TOPS didn’t pass the first time. We’ll be back.
Now that it’s over…..Help?
If you could help us remove the 2C signs from around the community we would be grateful.
There are close to 500 of them!
The metal can be recycled. You are welcome to drop them off at the TOSC office and we’ll make sure they are taken care of. Just leave them on our porch. Or you are welcome to keep them if you can find a use for them.
PARK AND TRAIL News
Volunteer Coordinator Needed
The Friends of the Equestrian Skills Course are looking for a Volunteer Work Day Coordinator for 2022! The overall task is to organize and ensure workday tasks are carried out and to make sure volunteers have the proper tools to get the work done. This is a great way to get involved with FESC and make a difference for equestrians. Training available.
Email friendsequestrianskillscourse@gmail.com for more information.
Legacy Loop Northern ConnectionAfter multiple years of advocacy, planning, unforeseen delays, and design, we are excited to report that Parks staff has been given the go ahead to begin construction on the northern connection for the Legacy Loop. This paved, Tier 1 connection between the Pikes Peak Greenway and Shooks Run Trail, with a continuation on to the Rock Island Trail, will provide a safe, high-quality link between our urban trail network and on-street pedestrian and bicycle facilities and is a significant step in realizing the Legacy Loop vision. Major funding for this project is coming from a Land Water Conservation grant via Colorado Parks and Wildlife, received through the National Parks Service. Additional sources of funding are all being leveraged to bring this project to reality, including TOPS dollars. Work is expected to begin during the winter of 2021 with expected project completion in 2022. We will continue to provide updates on this very valuable trail connection and look forward to celebrating the opening next year.
For additional project information and updates, visit coloradosprings.gov/legacyloop
Layering Tips from Hike It Baby
We’ve all heard it: “It’s too cold to go outside.” However, we believe that getting outside and enjoying nature is important all year round, regardless of the weather. As Alfred Wainwright so eloquently put it, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” But how do you dress the kiddos so they will be comfortable when the temperature drops? Check out this handy guide to give you an idea on which layers and materials work best to keep your kids warm and happy in all temperatures. Then get ready to make some fun outdoor family memories this winter.
Remember to have fun! Happy Hiking.
From Hike it Baby Colorado Springs
Foothills Trail DetourA temporary detour will divert Foothills Trail users starting Monday, Oct. 25 and will continue throughout the duration of the project. Starting Nov. 4, 30th Street will be closed in both directions between Gateway and Mesa roads through the spring of 2022.
Access to Garden of the Gods Park, including the Visitor & Nature Center, will be maintained throughout the project. The Phase 1 detour route will direct traffic to use Centennial Boulevard and Fillmore Street to enter Garden of the Gods Park from 30th Street south of Gateway Road. During this phase, the park will not be accessible from Garden of the Gods Road by car. Detour notifications will be posted on major access routes. Mesa Road will remain open for local access only.
While work is underway, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians are asked to remember that heavy construction equipment and workers will be operating along 30th Street and the Foothills Trail. The active construction area will be defined with signage, and it is important for users to obey directional and safety signage in this area. Please reduce speeds and use caution around equipment and work crews.
For additional project information, visit ColoradoSprings.gov/30thStreet,
or call (719) 315-3102.
Pikes Peak Greenway Trail is about to get some much needed TLC! A major construction project will remove and replace 1.25-miles of existing asphalt with concrete, plus the trail will be widened. Construction is expected to take place Oct 25 – April 2022.
Work will take place between the overpass at I-25 and Rockrimmon Boulevard (near Costco) and Cottonwood Creek Trail junction to the North (near Pikes Peak Indian Motorcycle). This section of the Pikes Peak Greenway will be closed throughout construction and users should use caution in this area and follow posted detour signs. The designated detour route utilizes Corporate Drive and the western sidewalk along N Nevada Avenue.
For more information, visit ColoradoSprings.gov/PPGreenwayTrail, call (719) 426-6030 or email PPGreenwayTrail@gmail.com with questions.
TOSC
Give! has Begun!November 1 – December 31
The Give! Campaign is a fun end of year campaign that makes it easy for everyone to get involved in local philanthropy. Support your favorite local outdoor spaces with a donation to TOSC through the Give! Campaign. 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 $20,750 in donations will be matched dollar for dollar by generous local companies, foundations and individuals including: 45 Degree Art Gallery, Integrity Bank and Trust, Kevin O’Neil, Layne & Loren (in honor of Mike Rigney), N.E.S. Inc., Rocky Mountain Restaurant Group, The Bloom Foundation, Timberline Landscaping Inc and the TOSC Board of Directors. Let’s propel TOSC to the top of the Indy Give leaderboard!
Trout ‘n Trails Pint Night
Thur Nov. 4, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Come mingle with some local outdoor and trail organizations: Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance, Rocky Mountain Field Institute, and Trails and Open Space Coalition. Stop by Angler’s Covey for beer, prizes, fly fishing demos and more! First 100 people will receive a free pint glass. Help us kick off the IndyGive! right.
PPRTA 3With yesterday’s election fresh on our minds, one lesson is clear: you can’t start thinking about the next election too soon!
The Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) builds roads and bridges in our region. It also invests millions of dollars building segments of trail like the Pikes Peak Greenway, Rock Island, Sinton, Templeton Gap and Shooks Run. Those trails are used for recreation and transportation for people walking or on bicycles.
PPRTA 3 will go before voters in one year – Nov 2022. In the weeks to come TOSC will work with partners to come up with a list of trail projects for the next 10 years. Think about trails you use that could be improved or extended and provide better connectivity and let us know.
Community
RISE|Southeast Walking GroupSaturdays 9:00 – 10:00AM @ Memorial Park
Sundays 2:00 – 3:00PM @ Wildflower Park
While Fall has arrived in the Pikes Peak region (finally!), it is still very important to include regular outdoor activity in your schedule for physical and emotional well-being. One way to do that is to join RISE|Southeast for one of their regularly scheduled weekend walks. We would love for you to join us for a casual walk on Saturdays and/or Sundays! Now is a perfect time to #GetOutSpreadOut and #GetOutGetHealthy, and these activities provide a very welcoming and accessible way to do that. Saturday’s 9:00am walk uses the paved trail around Prospect Lake and Sunday’s 2:00pm walk uses the multiple paved options available at Wildflower Park, including the Sand Creek Trail. The walks are typically 45 minutes to 1 hour in duration and will cover between 1.3 to 3 miles, all depending on how long you’d like to go.
For more information go to www.facebook.com/RISESoutheastCOS
Rock Hunt @ Monument Valley ParkKeep an eye out for rocks with Friends of Monument Valley Park (FMVP)logo and win a prize! To collect prize, take a photo of you with the rock showing the prize #, share and tag FUVP on Facebook or Instagram (@friendsofmvp.cos), AND email Info@fmvp.net. Rocks will be hidden in the park starting Nov. 6 at 12:00 pm and will last until all the rocks are found.
More info at www.fmvp.net
Virtual Canya CañonSat Nov 13, 6:00 AM – Fri Nov. 26, 9:00 PM
This year’s event is virtual which allows you to run the course alone, with your family, or with a small group of friends, to maximize safety during this ongoing pandemic. The course features the new Daniel’s Pass trail and some of the other newer trails that were opened in the park this past year. These trails were funded, in part, by Friends of Cheyenne Cañon and made possible from donations by people like you.
Registration is required for this event and donations of $10 are suggested, but not required.
Bear Creek 7th Annual Bear RunSat Nov. 13, 10:00 AM
Bears (will be) Sighted on Bear Creek Regional Trail! During the 7th Annual Bear Run- a 3K & 5K Trail Fun Run & Walk. You too, can don a bear suit and join the “bears” on this family-friendly run & walk. All new runners get a bear suit to keep and wear during the run. Returning runners can dust off their bear suit from previous Bear Runs and register at a discounted rate. Come at 9:00 for Bear Yoga to warm up your muscles. The run/walk starts at 10:00 AM. Embellishing your bear suit for the Costume Contest; prizes will be awarded in three categories: Child, Adult, and Group.
Registration costs are $60/adult, $30/child which includes your bear suit. For returning participants who already have a suit the cost is $20/adult and $15/child. All proceeds from the event benefit the Friends of El Paso County Nature Centers, which funds the educational programs and nature camps at Bear Creek and Fountain Creek Nature Centers.
Register at www.ELPASOCO.COM/BEARRUN. Space is limited!
CONCRETE COYOTE Open House
Sat Nov. 13, 10:00 – 3:00 PM
Concrete Couch invites you to their community park-in-the-making! 1100 S Royer St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 Enjoy tours of Concrete Coyote, BBQ lunch, music and hands-on activities! Come check out the 7 acre park being built by volunteers. Please RSVP: openhouse@concretecouch.org
Learn more at concretecouch.org.