Lack of Moisture "Leaves" our Trees at Risk
These dry sunny days are great for hiking and cycling, but not great for our trees. City Forester Dennis Will manages 20,000 park trees and he says the dry, warm weather is especially hard on our conifers. Trees with needles and pines lose moisture faster. If it doesn’t snow soon, we could lose some of our trees. Colorado Springs usually has its first measurable snowfall by October 26 th. The latest on record is December 2nd. Parks halted irrigation in October to protect its systems and save money. The good news: many of our trees are drought tolerant as is the native turf the parks department has been planting to replace Kentucky Bluegrass. If you have White or Douglas Firs, consider watering it at least once a month…10 gallons per diameter inch of tree. And add snow to your holiday wish list!
PARK AND TRAIL News
Palmer Lake LoopWith the mild weather the region has been experiencing, many of our popular regional parks and open spaces have experienced larger crowds. Now is the time to get out and spread out from those crowds! With limited sunlight this time of year, most of us will look for locations that are safe and easy to do as the sun sets. The Palmer Lake Loop is magical this time of year. This .8 mile trail, that loops around the lake in the heart of the little town of Palmer Lake in northern El Paso County, is an easy place to get a 20 minute walk in. On the foothills above town, a huge star is lit in Christmas lights and provides holiday cheer for those who come out to explore at sundown. Watch the TOSC Get Out Spread Out Relive Video for the Palmer Lake Loop!
Find more hikes, walks and rides on TOSC’s Get Out Spread Out Page.
TOSC
Tis the Season of Giving and there are many ways to support TOSC in addition to Indy Give, Colorado Gives Day or an End of Year Donation. Why not gift a friend with a TOSC membership? Then they can join us for exclusive “member only” hikes and bike rides. Give your gently used outdoor gear to Mountain Equipment Recyclers (MER) and direct the proceeds to TOSC. Or shop with AmazonSmile and make TOSC your supporting organization, so each time you make a purchase we get a donation.
However you choose to support us, we are so grateful! We could not do what we do without you.
WILD AND SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL
Thur. Dec 2, 5:00 PM
This Thursday, join TOSC and Fountain Creek Watershed, Flood Control and Greenway District at Storybook Brewing for scrumptious beer and inspiring outdoor films. Rather stay home with a bowl of popcorn? Buy a virtual ticket for a discounted price! Doors open at 4:30, films start at 5:00.
Give! @ Pikes Peak Brewing
Wed. Dec 8, 5:30 – 8:00 PM
Do good drinking! Come learn about five great nonprofits. Enjoy some beer and make donations via Give! to win prizes from these fantastic organizations doing good in our community.
Fresh Air Friday
Opting for the outdoors instead of shopping on Black Friday, Fresh Air Friday has become a major tradition in our community. This year, over 30 people joined in on a TOSC/Hike It Baby Colorado Springs co-led stroll in Monument Valley Park. The families enjoyed the sights and sounds of nature along a mile of the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail and the children spent time on the playground that rests beneath the old elm trees in North Monument Valley Park. With a mission of advocating for the creation of a network of trails and open spaces in the region, TOSC takes pride in showing people how to access these trails (like the Legacy Loop and the Pikes Peak Greenway) and provide insight on how their support can impact the future. TOSC would like to thank Hike It Baby Colorado Springs leader Brittany Fechko for organizing the walk and all the families for coming along!
Community
Bear Creek by CandlelightFri. Dec 3 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Attend Bear Creek Nature Center’s annual holiday celebration! Walk on luminary-lit nature trails, enjoy live music, chili dinner from Texas Roadhouse, Santa Claus and festive crafts. Pre-register for specific times. $7 per member / $8 per nonmember.
Night Sky ProgramFri. Dec 3, 7:00 PM
Join park staff and members of the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society to gaze at the dark skies above Florissant Fossil Beds in search of planets, galaxies, nebulas, and more. Meet on the front patio of the visitor center. $10.00 per adult (15 and younger free) Interagency passes accepted.
Chasing SantaSat. Dec 4, 9:00 AM
There is no better way to kick start the Holiday Season than the annual Chasing Santa/Cycling Santa Christmas Unlimited toy drive! Come be a part of the fun and festive 5K run or 15 mile bike ride, and don’t forget to bring an unwrapped toy for the Christmas Unlimited toy drive. Use discount code “TOSC” to get 10% off registration AND LYME will donate a portion of your registration fee to TOSC.
Sign up at www.runningguru.com
Ornament Party at Fox Run
Sat. Dec 11, 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Bring your kids and grandkids…neighbor kids or kids at heart to make wood and pine cone ornaments with Friends of Fox Run! Come to the Warming Hut for this fun and FREE holiday event. Supplies and Hot Cocoa will be provided.
Christmas Tree Cutting Permits Now Available
Create new memories this holiday season by cutting your Christmas tree. The closest tree cutting area to Colorado Springs is in the Pikes Peak Ranger District near Woodland Park. Permits go on sale November 26th with tree cutting dates through December 15th. Looking for an adventure further from home? Tree cutting permits are also available for the Leadville, Salida and San Carlos Ranger Districts. Click here for more information and to purchase a tree cutting permit.