Panorama Park Grand Reopening
This Saturday, August 20th, come see the largest neighborhood park renovation in Colorado Springs’ history! This epic event is free, family-friendly and will have loads of activities. It kicks off at 10:00 AM with an opening ceremony and official ribbon cutting on the lawn, featuring Pikes Peak Poet Laureate Ashley Cornelius who will perform an original work and the Panorama Middle School choir! Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to best enjoy the performances. Enjoy local art, drop-in sports clinics, giveaways, cycling & skate-park demonstrations, outdoor education, and more.
Sat. Aug 20, 10:00 to 3:00 PM
PARK AND TRAIL News
Support for Renewing Black Forest Section 16 Lease is Unanimous
Last week the El Paso County Parks Advisory Board voted unanimously to support signing a 10 year lease to secure 90 acres of Black Forest Section 16 for a popular 4-mile loop trail. The proposal now goes before the BoCC for approval. The old 25-year lease expires in December. Despite the substantial increase, there is considerable support for keeping the property.
Construction on Colorado Highway 115
CDOT is constructing a major improvement project on Colorado Highway 115 between Colorado Springs and Penrose. A new temporary traffic pattern (one lane in each direction with 2-foot shoulders) is now in place between Roca Roja Circle (mile point 35.5) and Rock Creek Canyon Road (MP 39.0). Cyclists and drivers should use extreme caution in the work zone, road conditions are rough. Alternate cycling routes are encouraged due to width constraints, high speeds and heavy truck traffic on CO 115.
Palmer Park Road Closure
Aug. 16 – 20th
COS Parks Maintenance Staff will be conducting road maintenance and culvert installation which requires a full CLOSURE of South Canyon Road in Palmer Park. Maintenance began on August 16th and the road is expected to reopen on Saturday, August 20th (weather dependent).
Bear Creek Dog Park Closure
Thur. Aug 18, 7:00 – 5:00 PM
The small dog area at Bear Creek Regional Dog Park will be closed on Thursday, August 18th from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Crews will be working on fire mitigation in the area. Questions or concerns can be emailed to Parks@elpasco.com.
Happy Trails Fundraiser
Fri. Aug 19, 6:00 PM
Join El Paso County Parks for the 13th Happy Trails BBQ Fundraiser- an evening to benefit Friends of El Paso County Nature Centers. Enjoy Buffalo Gals Catering’s signature Santa Maria style Tri-Tip, wine and beer and decadent desserts from a variety of local businesses. Live music, entertainment and great company will make this an evening to remember while we raise funds for a new Northern El Paso County Nature Center!
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. 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 14,115 ft 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
The following weekend, August 27 and 28, volunteers will work on the renovations – a new roof, better support for the front, and painting inside and out – and packing the debris back up to the summit. This is also an overnight trip with single-day options. You can sign up at www.cmc.org.
New Garden of the Gods Audio Tour
There is a new storytelling audio tour that offers new experience in Garden of the Gods Park! You can learn about the park’s diverse ecosystems, geology, cultures and more with this free app.
TOSC
Urban Trails 101
Thur. Aug 18, 6:00 – 8:30 PM
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
Join TOSC’s urban trail sage, Allen Beauchamp, for a low-intensity ride along the Sand Creek Trail and discover how these 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
Southeast Community Joy Ride
Sat. Aug 27, 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Gather with your friends and neighbors for a fun 7-mile bike ride! Meet at the YMCA, at the Kids on Bikes bike library and enjoy a guided ride to explore the newly completed Panorama Park. Need to borrow a bike? No problem, just email jra4u.co@gmail.com to make arraignments before the event.
2022 Get Out Get Healthy Scavenger Hunt
Save the Date: Sept 17, 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Join TOSC and Children’s Hospital Colorado-Colorado Springs for the 2nd Annual Get Out Get Healthy Scavenger Hunt at John Venezia Community Park! Don’t miss this wildly fun family friendly event. More details and registration coming soon…
26th Starlight Spectacular – 862 Cyclists, Walkers and Runners!
What impressed you most about the 26th Starlight Spectacular?
Was it the generous sponsors and amazing volunteers? How gorgeous Garden of the Gods is at night? The creative ways people decorated themselves and their bikes in lights? The live music from Spur? The little girl who finished the entire loop on training wheels? The coyotes and deer near the starting line? The bear in the parking lot at 1:30 a.m.? The cheesecake, brownies, great snacks and excellent rest stops? The Pancakes? The Pike Ride Bikes? The guitarists on rocks and bag-piper on the tandem e-bike?
What memories will you carry with you over the winter?
From all of us at TOSC – special thanks to Heuberger Subaru, Ted’s Bike Shop, LART, GOG Visitor Center and to each and every one of you for your enthusiasm, energy, creativity, patience with a short thunderstorm and making this one of the best Starlight Spectaculars ever. See you next Summer!
Community
Birding 101 @ Cheyenne Mountain State Park
Fri. August 19, 8:30 – 10:00 AM
Whether you are a beginner just getting started or have traveled to other countries for birding, this activity is meant to bring bird enthusiasts of all kinds together to share tips on how to be a better bird watcher, discuss proper etiquette while birding, and share knowledge about the birds in our area. Space is limited to 15 people. Registration required through CPW Connect. Meet at the Visitor Center. Free Event, Park pass required ($9 day pass).
Western Heritage Day @ Mueller State Park
Sat. Aug 20, 10:00 – 2:00 PM
A Good “Old Time” for the Family! There will be pony rides, live animals, cowboys, kid’s stick horse rodeo, pioneer crafts and skills, kid’s games, Dutch oven cooking, frontier music and
gold panning! $9 day pass is needed.
PAWsitive Recreation Hike
Sat. Aug 20, 8:300 – 10:30 AM
Join the COS Parks TOPS team for an approximately 2-mile long hike at Red Rock Canyon Open Space to learn about dog safety in our open spaces. We discuss flora and fauna that pose threats to our four legged family members and share all of the amazing off leash options the region offers.
Forest Lakes Trail Building
Tue. Aug 23, 5:30 – 7:30PM
Join Trails End Taproom Trailblazers & Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates for an evening of trail building! Help create a brand new trail at Forest Lakes in the Monument area. Meet at the Trails End Taproom in Monument ready to convoy/carpool to the worksite. This work day will consist of vegetation removal/corridor clearing, as well as construction of new tread.
More info and sign up here.
Sunrise on Pikes Peak
Sat. Aug 27 and Sun. Sept 11
America’s Mountain is excited to offer two special sunrise openings: Aug. 27 and Sept. 11. On those two days, the Gateway will open at 4:45 AM with the last entry for the special event at 6:30 AM. A timed entry permit and admission fees must be purchased in advance online. There will be no Gateway sales made and no access to the North Slope Recreation Area offered. This event is only offered a couple of times a year, and it’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss!