It's a Cruel Summer, Grey Hawk Park, and Where to Find Shade
Too hot is not healthy for any of us!
Local Vet clinics are treating dogs with crispy pads. Walking your dog on hot pavement or concrete can lead to burns. Your better choice is a soft forest trail with trees and shade. Fox Run Regional Park, North Cheyenne Canon, or Ute Valley Park are our go-to spots. And it goes without saying, when it’s unusually hot, you and your pet need to double your water intake. Better yet, wait until it cools down to recreate.
Outdoor recreation in hot weather can be very difficult for children to cope with. Heat related health issues can come on suddenly after a few minutes in the sun or after a few days under the stress of hot weather. Children’s Hospital Colorado, sponsor of TOSC’s Get Out Get Healthy program, has tips on how to spot heat related illness in kids here.
PARK AND TRAIL News
Get Outdoors!
In Colorado Springs, a typical summer has 60 days of temperatures over 80 degrees and 23 days of over 90F. When hot weather settles in, here are some ideas on where to hike and explore when you need to escape the heat:
- Monument Valley Park: One of the historic Colorado Springs parks has great shady areas to relax in. The demonstration garden has picnic benches and is nestled under large trees that provide shade most of the day. North Monument Valley Park (near Boddington Field) has shady walking trails under massive old trees. Shadow Lake is just south of the pickleball courts. Dry for close to a decade, it now has a new liner and pumping system. It’s really lovely and worth the walk. A gift from General Palmer in 1907, treat yourself to a few minutes of trees and water.
- Prospect Lake is another morale booster. Last Saturday, people were swimming, fishing, paddling and walking the perimeter. The fitness stations will increase your heart rate as the tranquil shoreline calms your nerves. New lights and security fences will improve safety. Truly a jewel in our community.
- North Cheyenne Canon Park: The Lower Columbine Trail has about a mile section that is shady and along the creek. At Helen Hunt Falls, the Bruin Inn Picnic Area is the perfect place to relax under the canopy of Douglas and White Fir trees next to the North Cheyenne Creek.
Sondermann Park: A large portion of this 97 acre nature park in the heart of urban Colorado Springs is covered in shade. This is a great place for people who want easy trails to walk on and to admire birds and wildflowers.
Thank you David and Daniel!
David Siegel (far left) and Daniel Bowan just completed two terms as members of COS Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Board. That’s 6 years, 72 meetings and conservatively 325 hours listening to cemetery reports, golf course updates, community center issues, park plans, annual budgets, citizen comments and numerous other topics that require their input. And yet dozens of people apply for these positions when they come open! We love our Parks!!
Grey Hawk Park – Finally
Grey Hawk Park planning process is underway. Northgate area neighbors gathered for the first of three listening sessions last week. A couple of future surveys will also provide information to the staff. A final plan will go to the Parks Advisory Board for approval this fall. Land was dedicated to build the future Grey Hawk Park in 2007.
You Can Still Celebrate Park and Recreation Month!
If you missed last week’s free Zumba Class and the Family Fun Walk in Memorial Park on Saturday, no worries! Music in the Park is 5-8pm Friday, July 28th in Pinon Valley Park located at 5585 Mule Deer Dr.. And you won’t want to miss the online contests.
For a list of other fun, free events plus some online contests, click here.
TOSC
Thank you Alpine Buick GMC South!
If your business appreciates what TOSC does, consider Alpine Buick GMC South’s generous example.
During the month of June, a portion of Alpine Buick’s vehicle sales and repairs was set aside to fund our work.
Thanks to the Staff and their customers for supporting TOSC!
Getting Social
Join TOSC and other great outdoor-focused organizations at Kinship Landing’s July Summer Social tonight, July 19th.
The fun starts at 5 PM with a 5k run, then live music, yard games, swag, and outdoor experts with great information on gear, activities, and local advocacy.
Recap: Park to Park-Summer Family Stroll
Dragonflies, playgrounds, and chocolate chip muffins were the highlights of the Park to Park: Summer Family Stroll this past weekend. TOSC partnered with Children’s Hospital Colorado and Hike It Baby to put on a family friendly walk along the Shooks Run Trail that featured stops at playgrounds in Mid Shooks Run Park and at Patty Jewett Junction. This event is a part of TOSC’s Get Out Get Healthy program that inspires people of all abilities to find ways to spend time outdoors.
Best quotes from the children during the walk:
“Chocolate is my everything. Chocolate makes walks better.”
“Art murals fill in boring parts of nature.”
“Did you know you could go to more than one playground in one walk??? I didn’t know that!!”
Tour de Southeast with Jeff Cooper
This past Friday, Allen Beauchamp took Jeff Cooper, the Executive Director of The Richard Petritz Foundation and TOSC funder (for Southeast COS-focused work) on an urban trail connectivity ride that included the Pikes Peak Greenway, Sand Creek, and Rock Island Trails. Allen likes to call it the “Southeast Super-Loop”.
The group was able to experience a number of the new infrastructure improvements like the pedestrian-operated signal trail crossings at Chelton Road and Hancock Expressway, the recently completed trail underpass beneath the new Platte Avenue bridge, and preview future project areas. The City of Colorado Springs and their partners have made great strides in the last few years providing additional safe connectivity and trail segments and the future is even brighter for this critical urban trail corridor along the East side of Colorado Springs!
Middle Shooks Run Neighborhood Association Summer Fest
Once again, TOSC joined the Middle Shooks Run Neighborhood Assocation (MSRNA)as they put on their Summer Fest in North Shooks Park. It was a beautiful afternoon as we all enjoyed the shade from some of the oldest trees planted during General Palmer’s time. This is a brilliant way to showcase the many businesses and organizations that call Middle Shooks Run home.
We had the Moblie Music Project system out providing the human-powered energy for Banjo Bev and her friend Hannah as they played wonderful music for folks enjoying the lush grass park accommodations. Thank you to the board of the MSRNA for putting this on every year and for once again inviting TOSC to be an integral part of the fun!
We Need You!
To sign up for Starlight Spectacular Aug 5th, Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center.
Need another reason? Our three amazing Rest Stops. CS Cycling Club has provided legendary rest stops for the past two decades. Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub came on board last year with music, delicious night-time fare, and energetic members of the Jack Quinn’s Running Club cheering everyone on. Aravaipa Running Club is also hosting a rest stop. Count on it being tasty and fun. And of course we have our faithful boy scouts flipping pancakes to reward your finish.
What other event feeds you early, often and late…treats you to a magical night-time romp in one of the most famous Parks in the world…. and supports the trails, parks and open space you use and love?
˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ WANTED: Starlight Course Marshals ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗
Volunteers are the heartbeat of the Starlight Spectacular. In an average year, around 100 volunteers give a few hours of service to help make the event memorable. This year, there is big need for course marshals. For 2 hour shifts, Course Marshals will work in pairs in strategic spots along the bike and fun run/walk routes to help participants stay on the correct path. In previous years, Course Marshals have decorated their cars in lights and have dressed up in costumes to add a festive touch along the route. There are over 20 spots left to fill and we would love to have your help on August 5th! All volunteers receive an event t-shirt.
Community Events
Drum and Dance Festival
Saturday, July 22nd 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
1100 S Royer Street
This event is the culmination of a week-long kid’s camp.
Come join Concrete Couch as they celebrate drumming and dance and community at Concrete Coyote Community Park!
This park is an 8 acre community park, built by Concrete Couch and 2000 community volunteers!
Monument Valley Park
Musical Monday Concerts
6:30 PM
July 24 – Frog’n Fiddle (Classic Rock, Bluegrass & Folk)
LOCATION: Lawn to the West of the Fine Arts Center Intersection of Mesa Road & West Cache La Poudre Street
Free Concerts! Bring a blanket/chair, a picnic, and a friend! Food Truck Available!
Beer (Re)Release: Paint Mines Interpretive Double IPA
Friday, July 28th
5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Join Goat Patch Brewery for the (re)Release of their Paint Mines Interpretive Double IPA and help them kick off their 6th Birthday Weekend!
El Paso County Parks representatives will be on site with more information on the Paint Mines as well as the other county amazing parks in the area.
$1 from each bottle sold will be donated to help preserve the Paint Mines Interpretive Open Space in El Paso County.