One More TOPS Project in 2022!
We’re delighted the TOPS Working Committee unanimously supported adding another open space project this year. Thanks to TOPS Director/Acting Parks Director Britt Haley, David Deitemeyer and other parks staff for shouldering the additional work. As a result, the Blodgett Master Plan update including Pikeview and the Slattery property will get underway this fall and winter. Watch for public meetings focusing on trail opportunities and protecting the conservation values of the additional 217 acres.
Because this is a change to the 2022 TOPS budget it still requires approval by COS Parks Advisory Board and City Council.
PARK AND TRAIL News
Trail Connections and Crossings: Your Ideas
We’ve been featuring your suggestions for locations where there are trail gaps and spots where trails cross roads that could be made safer.
Here are a few more:
Emma tells us – “a safe connection between the Rock Island and Homestead trail would be great!” She adds that for people living in the Homestead neighborhood there aren’t great connections for people wishing to go south and connect to an east-west trail. She provided a map showing the gap.
David suggests this – “ Sand Creek Trail from Wildflower Park to Platte and then from Palmer Park Rd to Barnes Road needs to be connected.”
Guy offered several suggestions including these – “Cottonwood Creek Trail crossing Union Blvd. – The trail really needs an underpass under Union. I’m glad there is a crosswalk, but the light is so long and it’s still dangerous to cross Union.” “The Rockrimmon Trail dead ends heading east past Delmonico. It would be really nice if this connected with the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail.”
Thank you for taking the time to offer your observations and suggestions!
Barr Trail A-Frame Maintenance
Sat. Aug 20 & Sun. Aug 21
Help carry lumber, shingles and other supplies from the top of Pikes Peak down approximately 3 miles to the A-Frame. The Group will be replacing the roof with new shingles, replacing front supports, painting the exterior and interior on Aug 27-28. When complete, all old material and trash will be packed back to the top for disposal. Plans are to camp there each weekend. You are invited to work just one day or camp overnight, (please bring your own tent, bag and personal gear.) This will not be an easy hike carrying material from 14,115ft to 11,664 and returning. Be sure you are physically fit enough to hike up/down the trail at altitude carrying your gear and supplies as needed. To conserve parking at the top carpooling will be planned and space coordinated at the A-Frame to fit the group. Questions email dwaits24@gmail.com.
Learn more and sign up at www.cmc.org.
Early Closure at Garden of the Gods
Sat. Aug 13, 7:30 PM
Garden of the Gods will be closing early on Saturday for the Starlight Spectacular. Gates will close at 7:30 and everyone will need to exit the Park by 8:00 PM. Please plan accordingly.
Urban Trails 101
Thur. Aug 18, 6:00 – 8:30 PM
Did you know that Colorado Springs has over 130 miles of hard surface trails throughout the city? If you’re interested in utilizing these fantastic resources but not sure where to start, this is the program for you! Join the Trails & Open Space Coalition along with City Park Staff at the Sand Creek Library! (1805 South Academy Blvd) to learn more about the urban trail system and find out which trails are near your neighborhood.
Register for: Urban Trails 101 Presentation 6:00pm – 6:45pm
Ready to hit the trail? Join urban trail sage, Allen Beauchamp, for a low-intensity ride along the Sand Creek Trail and discover how these beautiful trails can become part of your daily commute or weekend adventures! Bikes and helmets are provided for those not bringing their own. Please pack water and dress for the weather.
The ride route can be found by clicking here. This ride will start at the Sand Creek Library and stop by two parks connected via the Sand Creek Trail and is about 5 miles in length.
Register for: Urban Trails Bike Ride 7:00pm – 8:30pm
TOSC
Countdown to Starlight Spectacular is on!!
Sat. Aug 13, 8:00 PM – 12:30 AM
The 26th Starlight Spectacular is this Saturday! We are excited to bring our trail community together for this unique afterhours experience in Garden of the Gods! Here are some tips to prepare for this weekend…
* Safety: All participants need to have some type of lighting – flashlight, headlamp, bike light. – Helmets are required for all riders.
* Parking: Park in the dirt overflow lot near Rock Ledge Ranch, off the east entrance of the Garden of the Gods Park. Carpooling is always encouraged. There is ongoing construction on 30th, please plan accordingly!
* Leave No Trace: Please respect the park by disposing of trash in bins, bring a reusable water bottle, and staying on the course.
* Win A BIKE: Arrive to the festival zone 30 minutes before your start time spectacularly lit for the Best Glow Contest and a chance to win excellent prizes from Ted’s Bicycles. Please be mindful of securing decorations so they don’t come off during the event.
Rent a PikeRide e-bike for Starlight for just $5! Again, helmet required.
Thank you to all our Spectacular Event Sponsors & Partners:
Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort, Colorado Springs Cycling Club, Colorado Trust, Creative Jake, Criterium Bicycles, Ent Credit Union, Garden of the Gods Visitor Center, Heuberger Subaru, Jack Quinn’s, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Kangaroo Coffee, LART, Old Town Bike Shop, Pikes Peak Heritage Series, Pikes Peak Marathon, Pike Ride, Ted’s Bicycles, Trader Joe’s, SRAM, and Visit COS
Community
Monument Valley Park Cleanup
Sat. Aug 13, 9:00 – Noon
Come for one hour or three hours, whatever time you can spare will make a difference! Join the Friends of Monument Valley at the Columbia Entrance (Columbia St & Culebra Ave) to help clean up the trail, remove weeds and trim overgrown vegetation in the planters. All volunteers will get a FREE FMVP T-shirt! Please bring work gloves, water and sunscreen; trash bags and tools will be provided.
Happy Trails – Pikes Peak Greenway
Sat. Aug 27, 10:00 – 1:00 PM
Come meet members of Bike Colorado Springs at Criterium Bike Shop, just off the Greenway Trail. Connect with great people, get bike safety info and learn how you can get involved with our local cycling community!
“Making bicycling in the Pikes Peak region better for people of all ages and abilities”
9th Annual Creek Week Cleanup
September 24th – October 2nd, 2022
Creek Week is Colorado’s largest watershed-wide cleanup. Volunteers pick up litter from public or private areas (with permission) from Palmer Lake to Pueblo! Everyone is invited to volunteer. Invite your friends, family, coworkers, neighborhood associations, sports teams, etc. to join the effort to keep our watershed clean.
Registration is now OPEN! Sign up to be a Crew Leader
Learn more at www.fountain-crk.org/creek-week
Make your voice heard with Neighborhood University
Do you have a passion for your neighborhood? Do you want to actively participate in building and shaping your community? CONO is offering a FREE 10-week virtual course that will give you the skills needed to organize and make positive change in your community.
Learn more at cscono.org/neighborhood-u