Wild Horse Ranch – Next TOPS Purchase?
The TOPS Working Committee will vote on purchasing the 1,021 acre Wild Horse Ranch at its February meeting. The ranch is south of Highway 94, near Corral Bluffs Open Space with prairie grassland and a pond. Valued at $7,347 dollars per acre, the land will cost $7.5 million – currently available in the TOPS open space fund. If it is not purchased by TOPS, it will likely be developed into houses. As it does not contain invaluable paleontological fossils, this property could be developed into recreational opportunities for residents living on the city’s east side. After the TOPS Working Committee vote, the purchase goes before the Parks Advisory Board and eventually City Council for final approval.
TOPS will go before voters April 3rd! Without raising taxes, we can extend the program for 20 more years and make sure properties like this one are preserved forever.
PARK AND TRAIL News
Coleman Community Park – Community Forum #3
Please join TOSC staff at the third and final public forum for the Coleman Community Park Master Plan. City of Colorado Springs Parks staff will be presenting the final draft of the plan that was crafted from nearly 200 individuals that attended during the two previous public meetings and over 1,000 responding to the online surveys. This is your opportunity to engage directly with our Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services staff and to weigh in directly on this project that will create a major community park in an area of Colorado Springs that has needed one for many years. Additionally, the expansion of the Sand Creek Trail along the corridor stretching from Barnes Road to North Carefree Circle will provide a unique opportunity to enjoy the rich riparian habitat provided by the creek environment.
You can review the latest Community Outreach Summary #2 HERE
When: Tuesday, January 17th 5:00pm – 7:00pm (Presentation will start at 5:30pm)
Where: Sand Creek High School (on the second floor)
7005 Carefree Circle North, Colorado Springs, CO 80922
For additional meeting info and access to the virtual meeting option,
Muddy Trail Etiquette
Do you know “Muddy Trail Etiquette?” Hiking Bob created a new video that gives insight on what to do during mud season on our local trails.
New COS Parks Maintenance Director
When Kurt Schroeder retired as Park Maintenance and Operations Manager, Eric Becker stepped in assuming Kurt’s duties as he continued to manage Special Improvement Maintenance Districts in the community. Eric has been with Parks for 10 years starting as the water conservation specialist managing and improving irrigation systems in our parks. He now has been named to Kurt’s position and we couldn’t be happier! Congratulations Eric!!
Colorado Springs – Great City for Walking Your Dog!
The Springs ranked #2 out of 200 cities as a great city to walk your dog. Our community received the high ranking because of our excellent access to many dog friendly trails. The only other city in Colorado to rank in the top 50 was Fort Collins at #35. San Francisco was listed as #1. The company Lawnstarter conducted the survey. Click here to see the complete rankings.
Your dog can become a member of TOSC!
TOSC
2023 Pikes Peak Crew Leader Training
The 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Crew Leader Training will take place Saturday, May 6th and Sunday, May 7th, 2023 (attendance during both days is required). This year’s training will occur on Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain in the North Slope Recreation Area.
The Pikes Peak Regional Crew Leader Training is an intensive weekend-long training for experienced volunteers who are interested in becoming certified Volunteer Crew Leaders. The training is hosted in partnership by Trails and Open Space Coalition, Rocky Mountain Field Institute and the City of Colorado Springs, Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department.
Horse Safety Signs
We strive to be your eyes, ears and voice for trails, parks and open space in our region.
For that reason, last spring TOSC met with a group of equestrians to find out what they are experiencing on our trails. They told us hikers and cyclists often do not know how to behave when they encounter a horse on the trail. We asked the group to come up with a list of suggested do’s and don’ts. The group developed signs providing information which TOSC shared with city parks staff.
The result? There are now signs at Palmer Park, Stratton OS and Red Rock OS to help trail users make better choices. Thanks to our equestrian members and Gillian Rossi, COS Parks for making this happen!
TOSC is MER’s Nonprofit of the Month
MER selected TOSC as their January nonprofit of the month! Any time you buy items off the $5 shelf during the month of January, 100% of that will go directly to TOSC! The $5 shelf can be found by the fitting rooms.
Mountain Equipment Recyclers, Inc. (MER) is a retail and consignment outdoor gear store selling new and used high-quality outdoor equipment located in Colorado Springs, CO. MER’s hours of operation are 11am to 6pm and the store is located at 2222 Bott Avenue on the westside of Colorado Springs.
Community
Recycle your Christmas Trees-
PPORA: Outdoor Pikes Peak Initiative
Community Listening Sessions: Jan 23rd-28th
The Outdoor Pikes Peak Initiative invites you to an in person or virtual community listening session to share your voice and help craft the future for outdoor recreation and conservation for our region!
Session Schedule
5pm-6:30pm in person/7pm-8pm Virtual
-Jan 23: Cheyenne Mountain JR High (Colo. Springs)
-Jan 24: Cripple Creek Heritage Center (Cripple Creek)
-Jan 25: Ute Pass Cultural Center (Woodland Park)
-Jan 26: Pathfinder Park Event Center (Canon City)
-Jan 27: Pikes Peak State College (Colo. Springs)
-Jan 28: Library 21 C (Colo. Springs)
Garden of the Gods Park:
History of the Garden Hike
Sat. Jan 14, 8-9am
This one-hour morning hike explores the rich history and natural beauty of Garden of the Gods. Park Interpreter, Bowen Gillings, leads you on a trek through the historic people and events that shaped the park we love today. This hike is on rough dirt, gravel, rock and concrete and is not stroller friendly. Distance is about 2 miles along easy to moderate trails. Please, bring water and dress appropriately for the conditions. Weather dependent.
Guardians of Palmer Park – Work Day
Mon. Jan 16, 9am to 12:30pm
The Guardians of Palmer Park will be having their January workday on Monday, January 16th, for the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.
They will be hosting their normal three activities featuring dog waste cleanup, trash cleanup, and trail work. Pick an activity and use the links below to signup to volunteer. Pre-registration is required.
Dog Waste Cleanup: https://cerv.is/0132gaVqRwp
Trash Cleanup: https://cerv.is/0132gadP3Xg
Trail Work: https://cerv.is/0132ggbGSqX
All activities will check in at the Maizeland Parking Lot at 9:00 am. Please dress appropriately for the weather and activity. This includes wearing long pants and closed toed shoes for trail work.
Mueller State Park
Clues from the Forest: Tracking Mueller’s Wildlife
Sat. Jan 14, 10am-12pm
Hike the impressive Preachers Hollow trail while learning how to identify and track various wildlife with Volunteer Naturalist Hannah! Bring water, a snack and warm clothes.