Spring Mud Season has Arrived!
Sometimes mud just can’t be avoided. Here are some tips for when you come across muddy trails:- Have a backup trail planned in the event you find muddy conditions at the start of your primary choice.
- Walk or ride down the middle of soft trails to prevent widening and erosion.
- Use trekking poles or a walking stick to keep your balance.
- Consider time of day that you recreate. Trails will be firmer in the morning before thawing takes place.
- Make a post-hike plan. Cleaning mud off boots and bike tires will not only prolong the life of your equipment, but will also stop the dispersal of invasive plant seeds that can be trapped in the mud.
March and April snowstorms typically have higher moisture content creating sloppier trail conditions. The good news is that higher spring temperatures and longer amounts of sunlight cause trails to dry faster than winter months.
More Information: Leave No Trace and Mud
PARK AND TRAIL News
Rock Ledge Ranch Upgrades
A portion of Rock Ledge Ranch is closed temporarily to recreational use. The project will include replacing walkways, improving drainage issues, increasing accessibility in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and installing benches and picnic pads. The project is to be completed in early April, weather dependent. Please follow all onsite signage.
New Colorado Parks & Wildlife App
The new “My CPW” app is the official mobile app for Colorado Parks and Wildlife license and pass purchasing system, IPAWS. You can purchase CPW products in the app and carry proof of purchase for many of CPW’s annual and daily products. The app currently includes all CPW licenses without a carcass tag and non-vehicle park passes (individual and dog-off leash passes). Future phases could include vehicle registrations, interactive maps, weather alerts and other enhancements. Download today from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
More info at cpw.info/3K6omCO
TOPS Tax Finishes 2021 Strong
The Trails, Parks and Open Space (TOPS) tax is a city sales tax of .1%… for every $10 spent in Colorado Springs, one penny goes to TOPS. That money is spent on the purchase and stewardship of open space, along with construction and maintenance of trails and parks. In 2021, TOPS was 24.59% above budget projections. Great news because inflation has increased construction costs. Also, city trails, parks and open spaces are seeing record usage. Extra dollars can be used for maintenance and higher labor costs.
Work OutdoorsThe spring hiring season has arrived for many of the agencies and land managers in the Pikes Peak Region. Down below are just a portion of the positions that applicants can apply for right now:
- Seasonal Education Technician (City of Colorado Springs)
- Seasonal Summer Nature Camp Assistant (El Paso County Parks)
- Maintenance Worker-Facilities and Grounds (City of Woodland Park)
Panorama Park Stakeholders MeetingFRI. MARCH 11, 5:30 – 7:00 PM
This Friday evening, March 11th, we encourage you to join the Panorama Park renovation project partners as they host the first of three stakeholder meetings for this monumental effort. This is an in-person meeting with a virtual option. Work has been progressing well on this major neighborhood park renovation and now it is time to hear what local Southeast residents would like to see in Panorama Park pertaining to activation, stewardship, and safety.
Representatives from the City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services, RISE|Southeast, and The Trust for Public Land will be managing this facilitated meeting. The organizers are striving to meet the needs of local residents, provide easy access and encourage maximum participation. Having the voice and desires of the community reflected in this major project has been at the core of the work being done, so please join us and encourage your friends and neighbors to attend. The more people who are involved, the better the final outcome will be! This first meeting is being held at Carmel Community School, and also zoom.
More info via Facebook event or Panorama Park Renovation Project.
Additional Community Stakeholder Meetings planned for April 8th and May 13th.
TOSC
Two Years Ago This Week…Everything Changed. Playgrounds, Community Centers and Nature Centers were closed as COVID-19 spread across the state. But while other states closed parks, trails and trailheads; no parks, open spaces and only one trail in our region was closed.
For that, we again thank community leaders who recognized the value of these public spaces to our physical and mental health. And we thank city, county and park staff who worked hard to keep these valuable assets safe for all.
We all hope the pandemic continues to diminish as a risk and that we never have to go through anything like that again. But if we do, our parks, trails and open spaces will continue to be available as a healthy respite for all.
TOSC Trail Ambassadors
Last week, TOSC Trail Ambassadors had a meet and greet with Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services staff to learn more about Blodgett Open Space, current trends in our open spaces and refresh skills. Are you interested in volunteering as a Trail Ambassador with TOSC? Please email TOSC Program Coordinator, Aaron Rogers, aaron@trailsandopenspaces.org.
TOSC Dog Membership
Are trails and parks just as important to your favorite furry friend as they are to you? Then consider making your dog an official TOSC member. Dog members will be sent a “TOSC Dog” bandana that your pup can proudly wear to show their support!
Community
St. Patrick’s Day ParadeSat. March 12 9:30 – 1:30 PM
Pedalin’ St. Pats Bike Ride is back! The Family Ride will take place on Saturday, March 12, riders will ride in the Colorado Springs St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Wear your kilts and your super green tech shirt!), and ride back to Trails End.
The Intermediate and Challenging Rides will take place on Saturday, March 19, riders can choose between the Intermediate course (around 21 miles) and the Challenging course (just shy of 31 miles).
Runners, the annual 5k for St. Patrick’s Day is the flattest 5k in Colorado Springs!
Packet pick-up will be at the St. Patty’s Sports Expo, on Fri. March 11, 10:00 – 6:00 PM. Located in the ballroom of the Mining Exchange Hotel (8 S Nevada Ave, 80903)
More info and festivities available at csstpats.com
Mesa Open Space Trail Cleanup & BBQ
Sat. March 12, 10:00 – 2:00 PM
Join Medicine Wheel Trails Advocates and Organization of Westside Neighbors for a trash cleanup followed by a community BBQ! Come meet and socialize with your neighbors and share your ideas about how, together, we should care for this space we love. Please dress for the weather and bring your own work gloves. Plan to meet at the southern end of Mesa Open Space Trail, where Uintah Bluffs meets Manitou Blvd.
Please register here!
Nature Nerd Trivia
Wed. March 16, 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Fountain Creek Brewshed Alliance will be at Peaks n Pines for an evening of watershed, creek and nature themed trivia. Play with or against your friends in the first-ever Liquid Lecture trivia night! Attendees get $1 off beers and there will be prizes for the winner.
Intro to ClimbingFri., March 25, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Join UpaDowna at City Rock to give climbing a try! UpaDowna wants to help individuals, couples, or families experience a new adventure in a safe and fun environment. This class is designed for folks that are new to climbing, or just getting back into it. You’ll get a tour of the facility and learn the basics of climbing taught by seasoned climbers. This amazing, donation-based package, is complete with climbing gear rental, expert instruction from CityRock and UpaDowna staff, a $15 donation per person is suggested, but feel free to donate what you can afford!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TO SIGN UP
N. Cheyenne Cañon Volunteer Training & Potluck
Sat. March 26, 10:00 – 1:00 PM
Learn more about several Cheyenne Cañon Volunteer Programs, meet fellow volunteers and eat delicious food at the Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center. New and returning volunteers are encouraged to attend.
For more information and to RSVP, please email Lead Interpreter, Caroline.Miller@coloradosprings.gov
Westside Community Center – Process StallsAfter reviewing proposals received for a Westside Community Center operator, the City of Colorado Springs will not make an award for an operator. The Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Department is now evaluating viable next steps to determine a path forward.
The City evaluated all proposals in terms of financial and technical capability and a record of satisfactory past performance. The Center for Strategic Ministry (CSM), the current operator of the community center, was announced by the RFP committee in December 2021 as the most viable proposal. During contract negotiations, the CSM withdrew its proposal.
CSM will continue to operate the center under its current contract through May 31, 2022. CSM has operated the community center since the city first sought an external operator in 2010 as a response to budgetary constraints.