News Wednesday September 28, 2022

TOSC/Peaks & Pines Brewery Creek Week Cleanup

This past Saturday, Team TOSC joined forces with the owner of Peaks & Pines Brewery at their main location located off of Tutt Blvd to kick off Creek Week in Colorado Springs in style. This location overlooks the area that will become the new and exciting Norman “Bulldog” Coleman Park, a 70 acre development that is currently in the master planning process. The group was able to pull out a significant amount of trash and debris from the wetlands and social trails along Sand Creek from Barnes Road to North Carefree. The most unusual pieces of litter include a large plastic tarantula, old bike frame (was taken to the Pedal Station to be given new life), abandoned luggage and lawn chairs. 

 

This cleanup was a part of the 9th annual Creek Week Cleanup, taking place from Saturday, September 24th to Sunday, October 2nd. There are many opportunities to still join in.  Visit the Creek Week page HERE.

PARK AND TRAIL News

Input on North Slope Recreation Area Needed

 

Colorado Springs Utilities and Pikes Peak America’s Mountain are examining visitors’ recreational experiences in the North Slope Recreation Area. This review will influence Utilities policies to mirror the community’s general recreational benefits, outfitter-guided recreation opportunities, water/watershed protection and financial sustainability on the three reservoirs in the North Slope Recreation Area.

 

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey by October 7th. The responses will be used to form recommendations that will shape Utilities’ outfitter-guided recreation policies. There will be a public Open House on February 7th, 2023.  A future community planning process for North Slope Recreation Area is under discussion.

 

 

Survey and Details about the project and the open house

Photo courtesy of Ryan Luby

Hiking in Moose Country

 

On September 21st, several hikers had close encounters with an aggressive bull moose along the Horsethief Falls Trail. This area, which is along the Ring the Peak Trail and near Pancake Rocks, is a popular destination for many visitors looking for golden aspens. If you recreate in this area, have a plan for what you would do in the event of a moose encounter. Keep in mind that moose rut typically starts in late September and continues through October which will lead to unpredictable behavior, much like elk in rut.

Information on Moose Safety

Coleman Park Community Forum

Thur. Sept 29, 5:30 – 7:00 PM

 

This Thursday, September 29th the City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services and the project team for the Coleman Community Park Master Plan process would like to invite the public to attend the next scheduled Community Forum. Building upon the input received during the first public session held at the future park site, this session will provide an update on the project, highlights from previous community input and the three park concepts created from them.

Where to Attend the Meeting: Sand Creek High School, 7005 Carefree Circle North, Colorado Springs, CO 80922.  Coleman Community Park is a 70-acre mostly undeveloped community park site located on the east side of Colorado Springs, near the intersection of Tutt Boulevard and Barnes Road. The project involves three focus areas: Active sports, Sand Creek and nature, and community park amenities.

Check out the project website for more information, active surveys,

and to sign up for project updates! www.ColoradoSprings.gov/ColemanPark 

TOSC

TOPS Story Map a Viral Hit

 

The popularity of TOSC’s TOPS Story Map continues to grow. Recently, TOSC Executive Director Susan Davies and TOSC Volunteer and GIS expert Mike Rigney were guests on Hiking Bob’s podcast to discuss the story map project and the future of the TOPS tax program.  

Want to see the TOPS Story Map, click here. TOSC would like to thank the Calm Foundation for their contributions that made this project possible. 

 

Listen to Hiking Bob Podcast Episode 320: “TOPS Story Map with TOSC”

Autumn Scoop the Poop Challenge

Sat. Oct 8, 9:00 – 11:00 AM

 

TOSC and Animal ER Care give a poo and you should too! On October 8th, no dog waste gets left behind on our communities’ trails. TOSC will be in several open spaces and parks, including new event locations at the Monument Preserve and in Fountain, educating visitors on the importance of picking up dog poop. At all the locations, you will be able to complete the Scoop the Poop challenge and be entered to win a one-of-a-kind pet first aid kit created by Animal ER Care. Be sure to visit the TOSC trailhead tables for dog waste bags and other Leave No Trace giveaways!  

Facebook Event

Want to learn more about protecting our watershed? 

Visit the Fountain Creek Watershed Flood Control and Greenway District

 

Come Hike With Us!

Sun. Oct 2, 8:00 – 12:00 PM

 

 

Our favorite Hiking Leader – Hiking Bob is leading a TOSC Members fall color/photography hike Sunday, October 2nd. We will meet at the Mueller State Park Visitors Center parking lot at 8am. Carpool options will be provided. The hike is an easy/moderate 3 mile hike. Bring camera or cell phone. We’ll finish up by noon.

 

Sign up for TOSC MEMBER HIKE

Unsure of your membership status? Contact sharie@trailsandopenspaces.org

 

Susan’s Favorite Fall Hike

 

Do you have your “top five favorite hikes of all time”? I do. As I explore new trails, #5 will be booted out to make room for a new favorite. This past weekend I hiked the Greens Creek Trail just outside Salida and it was lovely. Great fall colors, beaver ponds, babbling creek, a trail with character and integrity – these qualities will land a hike in my top five.

Closer to home, hiking to the top of Mt Herman (USFS) remains a fall favorite. The one-mile trail from the trailhead to the top has a few challenging stretches to keep it interesting. There’s a lovely aspen grove half way up and from the top great views of Black Forest, Pikes Peak and Mt. Evans.  On really clear days you can see Castle Rock and Denver. Poles and hiking boots recommended. Enjoy! 

 

TOSC Member Celebration

Tues, Oct 11th, 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the Catalyst Campus-Harvey House

 

Hey TOSC Members, come celebrate with us! Staff member Sharie Dodge will share highlights of her Ring the Peak Trail Hike. We have invited partners from City and County Parks to share 2022 highlights and share what’s coming up in 2023. Great food, desserts, libations and the Catalyst Campus-Harvey House is unmatched as a celebration space. Please Join us!

Care to check your member status? Contact sharie@trailsandopenspaces.org

Get ready to vote on the TOSC Dog of 2022. Did you know your dog can be a member too? Chances are they love the trails as much as you. We will have a display of our TOSC member dogs at the member celebration, like Mei-zi in the photo, and you will get to vote for TOSC Top Dog! 

Community

 

Creek Week

September 24th – October 2nd

 

Join thousands of volunteers from across the Fountain Creek Watershed as the community comes together for the Fountain Creek Watershed District’s 9th Annual Creek Week.  In addition to cleanups across the region, here are two upcoming events.

 

 

Go to www.fountain-crk.org/register for more information.

Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day

Sat. Oct 1, 9:00 – 11:00 AM

 

El Paso County Parks is hosting this FREE event for kids of all ages! Enjoy guided trail rides, skill building lessons, giveaways and more. Fox Run is a terrific place for kids to develop their mountain biking skills. Bring your own bike event, helmets also required.

 

Participants must pre-register for this event. REGISTER HERE!

Friends of Mueller State Park: Firewood Sale

Sat. Oct 1st/Sun. Oct 2nd, 10:00 – 4:00 PM

 

The Friends of Mueller State Park are holding a firewood sale on October 1st and 2nd from 10 am to 4 pm, or until all the wood is sold. Forest thinning to improve forest health and wildlife habitat, and to reduce wildfire threat, has created stacks of wood that will be available for sale. The wood is unsplit, mixed dry and green, cut to 12” to 24” lengths. $60 for short bed pickups, $80 for long beds – same prices as last year. Loaded by you, and sorry, no trailers.

The location is on Highway 67, 2 miles south of the Divide stoplight, or 2 miles north of the park main entrance, near the intersection of Highway 67 and Cantiberry Rd. Turn west at the gate for directions to the loading area. Signs will be posted from both directions. No park pass needed.

 

Support the Friends of Mueller and stock up on firewood at bargain prices!

 

 

The Cheyenne Mountain Run

Sat. Oct 8th, 8:30 – 2:30 PM

 

Save the date for this 25k (to the top of Cheyenne Mountain), 10k and 5k that benefits the trails and events in Cheyenne Mountain State Park.  TOSC is a Dixon Level sponsor for this incredible event and we urge all trail lovers to participate!  

 

Learn More

 

Clean-Up at Monument Valley Park

 Sat. Oct 8, 9:00 – 12:00 PM

 

Meet at the Mesa Road Parking Lot near the Pickleball Courts (223 Mesa Road).

The group will be Cleaning the North/South Trails along Monument Creek. Bring work gloves, water and sunscreen. Trash bags and tools provided.

Motorless Morning at Garden of the Gods

Sun. Oct 9, 5:00 – 12:00 PM

Come enjoy a morning of walking, running, riding and rolling! Dogs are also welcome on leash. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to experience Garden of the Gods without motor vehicles! Please be mindful of and on the lookout for other users. Parking is available at the overflow lot on 30th Street and at the Trading Post.

To find out more about Motorless Morning

 

Also, the last Early Bird Hike & Bike is Wed. Sept. 28, 5:00 – 8:00 AM.

Volunteers are needed!  Please email education@bikecoloradosprings.org for more information.

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