A New Mayor, Storm Damage, the New Parks Budget
Congratulations Yemi Mobolade
The new Mayor of Colorado Springs! We look forward to working with you to keep making our parks, trails, and open spaces better and available to all.
Storm Batters Trails
Last week’s epic storm left trails damaged across the region. 3.17” of rain fell at the Colorado Springs Airport with higher rain totals reported and heavy deep snow in Teller County. Storms like this one are rare and the landscape struggles under sudden deluges of water. There is a great chance that your favorite trail has seen some impacts. There have been reports of boulders on Barr Trail and High Drive. Rock falls closed Mount Herman Road west of Monument as well as the Palmer Lake Reservoir Trail. Washouts and other damage were seen along the Santa Fe Trail from the Air Force Academy north to Palmer Lake. Urban trails with low areas experienced mud and standing water. In other open spaces there have been reports of down trees, damaged footbridges and mud. All the local land managers are out working on the cleanup. With more storms in the forecast, more issues can be expected in areas already saturated. When out recreating, let muddy trails dry out and respect trail and road closures.
Stay current on local trail conditions by following COS Trail Conditions on Instagram
PARK AND TRAIL News
New Pedestrian-Operated Signal Light Crossings
We’re excited to report that two new pedestrian(and bicycle!)-operated signalized crossings have recently been completed in Colorado Springs. Thank you to the many departments within the City of Colorado Springs, the stakeholders, and the residents involved in the processes that led to the implementation of these two projects.
The Sand Creek Trail crossing at Hancock Expressway was highlighted as a serious need for connectivity in Southeast Colorado Springs during the Urban Land Institute’s 2018 Advisory Service Panel week-long survey. TOSC along with our partners RISE|Southeast continued the advocacy for this high-value connection which establishes the first urban trail connection into, and out of, Southeast
Colorado Springs. Providing the connection westward along the Sand Creek Trail to the Pikes Peak Greenway at the El Pomar Youth Sports Park, users will be able to continue north to downtown Colorado Springs and beyond.
Additionally, Parks constructed the missing ~1,000 feet of concrete trail that runs north from the intersection, connecting to the existing Sand Creek Trail which runs to just north of Airport Road. Look for an update very soon on the soon to be installed wayfinding signage that will increase the usability of this critical non-motorized corridor for Southeast Colorado Springs.
If you’ve ever cycled from downtown Colorado Springs west, you most likely used the “Cyclists Highway to Manitou Springs”, also known as Pikes Peak Avenue. This very popular and lower-traveled corridor is a recreational connection for many of our residents and visitors, but the crossing at 31st Street can often be a daunting, white-knuckle affair. Thankfully this crossing was one of the high-value projects called out in the 2019 31st Street Traffic Study. TOSC was one of the many stakeholders in the process and we’re pleased to report that the reconfiguration of the intersection is complete and ready to provide safer crossings just in time for Summer! The conveniently-placed signal activation buttons (for bikes too, use the pullout) will trigger the signal light, sometimes quite quickly but you may also have to wait for a moment as it is timed with the signal at Colorado Ave. to allow for proper multiple-intersection clearing.
Friends of the Peak: Opening Season Mixer
Sun., May 28th , 3:00-6:00 PM
Location: Trainwreck Colorado, 812 S. Sierra Madre St.
Come talk dirt with familiar and new friends who love the outdoors and Pikes Peak. Share stories, report trail problems you see on our trails. Get details about the 2023 project days.
Learn about our newest fundraiser: The Bigfoot Benefit. Meet our new board members, ask about how you can join the board. Play a game of volleyball and enjoy food and drinks. Also at the mixer, the Friends of the Peak will be releasing a newly designed logo and webpage. Be the first to grab some sweet new swag with the new logo!
Fox Run Nature Center Open House
Date: Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Antelope Trails Elementary School (15280 Jessie Drive)
Have you heard the news? A new Nature Center is being built in Fox Run Regional Park! Come to the first open house meeting to find out more and offer your input.
Project team members will be available at the open house to answer questions and discuss the new Fox Run Nature Center. In addition, attendees can view the conceptual design, exhibits, and provide input regarding what activities they’d like to see in the park and at the nature center.
¡Viva! Streets Denver! Free Community Event
Congratulations to the Downtown Denver Partnership for kicking off this cool event series. Over 4 Sundays from May – August Broadway Avenue will be closed for 3.5 miles to allow for non-motorized use by people of all ages and abilities. What a cool way to experience this urban environment rich in destinations along the way.
We have Motorless Mornings in Garden of the Gods and plenty of folks travel down from Denver to enjoy our unique non-motorized event. You should plan on heading north for one of these events to experience Denver in a very unique and active way!
The next three events will be held on June 4th, July 9th and August 6th and you can find more info HERE
Photo credit: Downtown Denver Partnership from their ¡Viva! Streets Denver! Facebook page
Blodgett Open Space Planning
Mark May 20th on your calendar if Blodgett Open Space is a place where you like to play.
10 a.m-1 p.m. the public is invited to stop by and learn more about the planning process and how they can be heard.
A survey will be available soon on the projects website: https://coloradosprings.gov/BlodgettMasterPlan
TOSC
Challenges along our Creeks and Trails
We asked you to share your comments about illegal camping along our trails and creeks. Thank you!
(Dave) I ride a lot of the trails around COS and don’t feel comfortable going under the Tejon or Nevada bridges because of the homeless. They block the trail, make fires, and leave a nasty mess. This applies to some other places like the Bijou and Cimarron bridges…. Maybe the city can designate signed “No Homeless” zones for these place where they tend to congregate, like under the bridges and where ever else the city deems it necessary for public safety…. if we could just keep them out of certain places as mentioned above it would really help.
(Kathy) I will not use the greenway trail going south of America Beautiful Park. I have had to literally step around people sleeping on the trail going from the greenway trail over to Bear Creek park. I will not connect from the greenway trail to the Midland trail at the I-25/Cimarron interchange at all (whether on bike or foot). Using the greenway through Monument Valley park, I have been fearful of navigating around the homeless under Uintah (along the west side of the creek) as there is dog presence there and I have no idea if I’ll be charged. I think the homeless are encroaching on our urban trails (leaving trash, camping out, etc.) at an unacceptable rate.
(Micah) I fairly frequently run/bike by tents set up, someone sitting up on a wall above the trail (who is just trying to eat their lunch in the shade), people walking with all their belongings, etc. I sometimes feel a little nervous, or anxious about going past them – but I fully realize that’s because of stereotypes, preconceived notions, etc. I honestly cannot remember a single time when I’ve interacted with an unhoused person (based on my assumptions) on the greenway where they were not polite and friendly – of course, they mostly just ignore me, like most other trail users. I know others have had bad experiences, or may have backgrounds that can contribute to their insecure feelings in similar circumstances, and I’m not trying to discount that. However, I think it’s important to realize that the greenways/trails can be used safely, and not every interaction with an unhoused person is uncomfortable or threatening.
Come Be Social With Us!
Kinship Landing is hosting a Spring Social tonight!
Start the party off with an optional 5k run with Aravapia at 5pm, and then head to Kinship Landing’s Greenhaus at 6pm for live music, yard games, and a chance to hang with other people who know that what’s in your pack is just as important as who you pack in with. Stop by the TOSC Table for stickers, dog park maps and catch up on our summer projects!
Event Schedule:
–5:00pm – 5K Run
–6:00-8:00pm – Live music with Roma Ransom, get to know one another, win free swag & meet outdoor experts from Colorado Springs.
415 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
2024 COS Parks Budget
The 2024 draft parks budget was presented to the Parks Advisory Board. In addition to TOPS projects, the PAB received proposals for Conservation Trust Fund (Lottery) projects.
Those include:
- $35,000 Red Rock Canyon Landfill monitoring
- $20,000 Maintenance of Outdoor Sculpture
- $500,000 Grey Hawk Park Implementation (total Project Cost $1.7-$2.1 million)
- $70,000 Skyview Sports Complex Turf Replacement – 2 remaining infields
- $100,000 Economic Benefits of Parks Study Update (last one completed in 2017)
- $6,374,683 of CTF will be used to fund Parks Operations and Staff Salaries/Benefits
The PAB will vote on the budget at their June meeting.
Looking to join the PAB? Openings for 1 regular member and 1 alternate.
Apply here. Applications accepted through May 31st
The TOSC Annual Report
Our 2022 Annual Report is complete and available for downloading or reading on our website.
It’s a fantastic way to get an overview of some of the projects the incredible TOSC staff, volunteers, and board tackled in 2022.
(We’d also like to extend a big thank you to Dave Meyers for our beautiful cover image and the report design.)
Community Events
Volunteer Work Day Wednesday
5/17/2023
5:30-7:30PM
Come join the Friends of Ute Valley on our Wednesday night volunteer work session! We will be preforming restoration of a couple trails that have been rerouted, installing fencing, and building check dams in drainages. Please wear pants and closed-toe shoes, bring work gloves, eye protection, sunscreen, water, and snacks.
Meet up location is at
Ute Valley Park, New Parking Lot located on Ute Valley Trail off Rockrimmon Blvd.
You must register to participate in this event.
All minors participating in the workday must turn in a hard copy of the liability waiver filled out with parental signature. Liability waiver will be available at event sign-in or is accessible at the following address
June Wildflower Walk
Led by Carey Harrington
Colorado Native Plant Master
Saturday, June 3rd, 2023
Walk begins at 10:00 am and will last 1 1/2 to 2 hours
Meet at the W. Fontanero St. parking lot of Monument Valley Park
(Intersection of W. Fontanero Street and Culebra Avenue)
RSVPs are REQUIRED
Please RSVP at info@fmvp.net
We are limiting participation to 20 individuals.
Bring: Water, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, pen & paper, and camera, if you like.
NO PETS please!
Sustainability Series: Watershed Wonders
Saturday, June 10, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Join staff from the Fountain Creek Watershed District for a presentation and activities to learn about our watershed then visit Bear Creek with nature center staff to search for life in the water!
All ages and families welcome.
$5 per person/ $4 per member