TOSC Board of Directors Unanimously supports PPRTA 3
At the request of our Advocacy Committee, the BOD voted to support PPRTA 3 (Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority). Although primarily a road and bridge program, the 10 year initiative will provide @ $10 million for trails related projects throughout Colorado Springs. Nearly all the city’s system trails used for recreation and transportation will be improved as a result of PPRTA dollars. Trails were included in the first PPRTA due to the advocacy efforts of former TOSC E.D. Dan Cleveland.
Please support PPRTA3 in the November election!
PARK AND TRAIL News
Coleman Community Park Community Forum #2
Last Thursday, we attended the second of three planned Community Forums in support of the Coleman Community Park Master Planning process. The meeting at Sand Creek High School was well attended and the public was given an overview of the three initial park concepts, developed from the input received at the first meeting and through survey responses. Additional questions were fielded and many citizens were concerned about safety, lighting, and parking capacity for the various proposed fields and amenities. Highlighting that this is a Community Park, designed to serve residents from all throughout Colorado Springs, the project team was able to address many of the concerns directly and will be providing updates via the project webpage and during the third Community Forum, tentatively being planned for December.
This is an exciting new major park development for the Powers Blvd corridor and east side of Colorado Springs. The project team would like to hear your feedback and they have a second survey live that you can take right now HERE.
Creek Week cleanup along the Sand Creek Trail in Southeast COS
Allen joined in with the team from RISE|Southeast, their Youth Advisory Council, Generation Wild, and Blackpackers to take part in the 9th annual Creek Week cleanup. The section of the Sand Creek Trail from Academy Blvd all the way to Fountain Blvd was the focus, and we are happy to report that the volunteers did an exceptional job! We used bikes and helmets from the Kids on Bikes bike libraries at the Southeast YMCA to allow two of the YAC members to tote the trash easily to the pickup location, pedaling 6.2 miles in the process! These events are key for keeping this section of the Sand Creek Trail clean. It is also a chance to train our next generation on how best to be stewards of the park properties in their neighborhoods, and the powerful impact teamwork and collaboration can have! You can find more out about the Creek Week project by visiting the Fountain Creek Watershed Flood Control and Greenway District webpage.
“Priceless” is this year’s Pikes Peak Litter Letter Project Word. Trash accumulated during Creek Week is used to form a word that reflects how we feel about our public spaces and creeks. PPORA sponsors the Litter Letter Project along with a number of partners.
Chaffee County Update
Envision Chafee County is a publicly driven program seeking to balance recreation with conversation in one of the state’s more popular tourist destinations. “Recreation in Balance” is their motto. The county voted to increase their sales tax and use the money in ways that will improve their quality of life, protect
public space and support agricultural initiatives. “A future built on common good.” One of their challenges is a significant increase in dispersed camping on federal land and the resulting degradation.
This past summer they placed portable toilets in popular spots and added informational signage. They offer volunteer opportunities to residents and visitors.
To learn more: envisionchaffeecounty.org
TOSC
Autumn Scoop the Poop
Sat. Oct 8th , 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Dog poop takes an average of 9 months to decompose. As it decomposes, bacteria are released which contaminates water sources, spreads disease and impacts wildlife habitats. A forgotten plastic dog bag will take 500 years to degrade in an open space. Help TOSC and Animal ER Care keep our open spaces clean during the Autumn Scoop the Poop Challenge this Saturday! Join TOSC and Animal ER Care at John Metcalf Park, Monument Preserve, North Cheyenne Canon and Red Rock Open Space to participate in the challenge. When you bring back pet waste, you are entered to win a one-of-a-kind pet first aid kit made by Animal ER Care.
Why Can’t I Leave My Dog Poop in the Forest? Find the Answer Here!
Celebrating Fossil Craft Brewing Company this Saturday
Come join TOCS staff this Saturday, October 8th as we help to celebrate Fossil Craft Beer Company during their 8th Anniversary Party! The owners of this great local brewery have been dedicated supporters of TOSC and our mission throughout the years, with Megan Mater currently serving on the TOSC board. One of most notable (and tasty!) ways they have supported us is via the lovingly crafted collaborative beers. Look for info soon on our next, planned to be released beer in early December! Susan and Allen will have a table set up inside this Saturday from 3pm – 6pm and would love to talk to you about our current projects and what to expect in 2023 and beyond. There will be a beer special for folks who sign up to become members at the event!
Fossil Craft Beer Company: 2845 Ore Mill Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
Facebook event link HERE.
Join us next week for our annual Member Celebration! Delicious appetizers from Picnic Basket, wine from our friends at Sovereignty Wine, Beer courtesy Cerberus Brewing company and other fine local providers. And we have amazing desserts provided by some of our finest restaurants! Plus, TOSC’s own Sharie Dodge will share highlights of her time on the Ring the Peak Trail.
Tuesday, October 11th 6:00-8:00pm
Harvey House, Catalyst Campus
555 E Pikes Peak Ave
Free to all TOSC members! Unsure you are a member? Contact sharie@trailsandopenspaces.org
Mike’s Favorite Fall Hike – Red Rocks Campground, Woodland Park
When Theresa, Woodstock and I are looking for a short get-away without the “leaf peeping” crowds we head north on SR 67 out of Woodland Park to the Red Rocks near Group Campgrounds. Just north of Woodland Park, the U.S. Forest Service has developed a network of trails that are easy and perfect for your furry companion(s). There are a number of pull offs from SR 67 and ample parking at the entrance to the campground. The trails near the highway are noisy but head east and you drop into a quiet serene valley (Rupp Gulch). South of the main campground are trails that circle the red rock sandstone formations that the campground is named for.
Except for the trails that drop into Rupp Gulch most of the trails are flat or have gentle inclines and would be perfect for snowshoeing or cross country skiing. The several times we have explored this area, we have seen very few people and had the trails mostly to ourselves. Except in the campground or picnic area (where dogs must be on a leash) your furry friends can romp freely (under voice control of course).
If you are looking for a quick, leisurely out of town hike, this is one of our favorites!
TOSC Office Manager
If you haven’t heard yet, our Office Manager, Sharie Dodge, will be moving on to new adventures. We will surely miss her, but wish her the best in all future endeavors. That means we are on the hunt for a new Office Manager to take on administrative tasks and assist with marketing, HR and IT. If you are interested please send letter of interest and resume to: Susan@trailsandopenspaces.org
Hey everyone! I am both sad and excited to share that I am leaving TOSC at the end of 2022. You won’t miss me because I’m not really leaving. About the same time I joined TOSC in 2018 I started playing with clay. That hobby grew into a business and that small business has continued to grow and is demanding more of my attention. So, I may no longer be the Office Manager at TOSC, but you will still see me around on the trails.
Nature has done more than influence my life; it’s shaped it and given it a passion. Trails have been a constant companion in my adult life, through all the good days and the bad ones. Being able to work in a place where I can share that interest and enthusiasm with others has been a wonderfully positive experience. I have learned a lot about trails and outdoor stewardship. I must admit that when I started my career at TOSC I was a naïve trail user, I had thousands of miles under my feet, but I lacked the real understanding how much hard work goes into planning and advocating for a trail, often years of effort before a shovel hits the ground.
I have a much deeper appreciation for parks, trails and open space thanks to TOSC. It has been an honor to learn from and work beside such wonderful humans; I could not ask for better mentors. I will always be grateful to the Trails and Open Space Coalition for being a part of my journey. To all of you, thank you for being a part of our trail community and a big thank you to everyone that has joined the Coalition and supports TOSC’s mission to connect trails and preserve open space.
Happy trails!
-Sharie Dodge p.s. tell your dog I say hello
Community
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!
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.