New Playground Fox Run Regional Park
A new playground in Fox Run Regional Park will open soon. The old playground was removed because it was becoming increasingly unsafe and replacement parts were no longer available due to its age. As soon as a final safety inspection can be completed the temporary fencing will be removed.
PARK AND TRAIL News
Coleman Park Community Engagement
The community has been instrumental in providing feedback that is helping to shape design concepts and alternatives for the new Coleman Community Park, a 70-acre, mostly undeveloped community park site. A few of the overall key takeaways from community outreach to date include:
- Create comfortable spaces. Restrooms instead of port-o-lets. Shaded areas at playgrounds, sports hub and picnic areas. Covered shelters to protect from sun and rain. Seating areas with views.
- Provide natural corridor and connectivity for humans and wildlife. Integrate water, nature, and accessibility into play spaces. Consider connectivity of creek, parking, and active uses with separation to adjacent homes.
- Desire for a safe place both for the park and the neighborhood. Consider adjacent park program and buffers to the adjacent neighborhood.
- Provide a variety of community amenities for daily use. (i.e. obstacle course, fitness, exercise stations, walking loops, trails, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, horseshoes, pump track) Desire for multi-use fields that can be utilized for a variety of different sports. Youth baseball/softball, kickball, soccer, frisbee. And 12-20 pickleball courts for a competition/tournament.
Panorama Park Grand Reopening!
This past Saturday, our community gathered with the project team and diverse group of stakeholders as Panorama Park was re-opened to the city in spectacular style! Up until 2018, Panorama Park was a 13.5 acre space short on modern amenities and suffered from a lack of long-term investment. The park had been identified as the best property in Southeast Colorado Springs for a complete renovation and the resulting effort was spearheaded by the Trust for Public Land in support of their 10 Minute Walk initiative. El Paso County Public Health, RISE|Southeast, and the City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services were the primary team partners that helped to create the framework that allowed for robust community input that shaped the vision of the park we have today.
An incredible mix of amenities that provide unparalleled access to community members of all ages and abilities are now available including a splash-pad, universally accessible playground, AARP fitness area, skate and bike park areas, and more. This project was made possible by a very novel public-private partnership. The $8.5 million came from a variety of funding sources and very generous organizational and private donors. Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers has heralded this very successful collaboration as the model for how our City will continue to tackle outstanding projects like this for our community. A special shout out to Parks Staff Jake Butterfield and Connie Schmeisser for their roles in creating this amazing park!
Kudos to El Paso County Friends of Nature Centers and parks staff! Their annual fundraiser was delicious and well-attended. Nature Center campers wandered among guests sharing fun facts about critters common to this area. Proceeds will be used to support existing nature centers in Fountain Creek and Bear Creek Regional Parks and support efforts to build a new Northern El Paso County Nature Center in Fox Run Regional Park.
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.
TOSC
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…
Community
Liquid Lecture
Wed. Aug 24, 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Come to Metric Brewing to learn about hiking and harmful algae blooms. Chris Mikolajczyk, Senior Aquatic Ecologist, will share useful info to use when hiking with pets.
RSVP to creekweeksoco@gmail.com
Attendees get $1 off pints!
Barr Trail A-Frame Maintenance
Sat. Aug 27 & Sun. Aug 28
Colorado Mountain Clue is looking for volunteers to help with the Barr Trail A-Frame renovations! Help install a new roof, improve supports 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. Be sure you are physically fit enough to hike up/down the trail at altitude carrying your gear and supplies as needed.
You can sign up at www.cmc.org or
contact dwaits24@gmail.com if you have questions.
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!
RMFI Seeks New Executive Director
After 8 years as Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Field Institute, it is very bittersweet to announce that Jennifer Peterson has accepted a position with the U.S. Forest Service and will be leaving RMFI effective September 30. The organization is looking for a new Executive Director! Responsibilities include reporting to the Board of Directors, as well as, planning, oversight, and successful execution of programs, administration, development, and day to day management of the organization. The Executive Director provides strategic, thoughtful, and visionary leadership to guide and support RMFI’s mission of public land stewardship.
Palmer Park Work Day
Sat. Sept 10, 8:30 – 1:00 PM
The Guardians of Palmer Park are teaming up with The Mission Continues to honor the victims of 9/11/2001. You are invited to be a part of the effort! Please sign up for one of the following work crews:
Group 2 Poop Patrol @ Yucca/Mesa Trails
All working groups will meet at the Maizeland Parking Lot near the storage container next to the Baseball field. Crews will assemble there and be dispensed to the actual work sites. Please bring work gloves and water, the Guardians of Palmer Park will provide tools. See you Saturday!
Quiptu – New Outdoor Gear Rental Service
A new sharing economy platform for outdoor gear has chosen Colorado Springs as one of 8 cities to launch its product. Now owners of bike, paddling and camping gear can earn income on equipment they aren’t using. Out of city/state/country renters can borrow equipment rather than shipping or buying new. The new company intends to “give back” in the communities where their service is offered. To learn more: www.quiptu.com