Advocacy is at the heart of what we do
Advocacy is essential to getting trails built, preserving open space,
and getting adequate parks funding.
Our work includes helping craft the future for our public spaces, with our partners in government, other nonprofits and community groups, and our members and partners. Our goal is to envision what can be, and work to make the vision a reality.
We joke about how “We go to all the boring meetings so you don’t have to,” but in fact TOSC is at every public meeting where policy, funding or planning for parks, trails and open spaces is discussed or decided—be it City Council, County Commission, Parks Advisory Boards, Master Plan work sessions, TOPS Working Committee, Trails Team, Colorado Springs Utilities, etc.—and is a respected voice for our public spaces. We weigh in on the issues, and report back to the public regularly.
We encourage you to connect with us at the Trails and Open Space Coalition.
We work to create a social and political climate in which local decisions to fund open space, parks and trails are approved and supported. We encourage organizations, businesses and individuals to get involved in the process. Government bodies do listen to their constituents. We help get the word out to the public about what the issues are, what decisions are being made, when public comment is requested, and how to make your voice heard. We listen to all our user groups—hikers, bikers, runners, equestrians—and work to get their concerns addressed.
Recent Advocacy News
News Wednesday September 21, 2022
Sand Creek Trail Future Projects Last week, we highlighted the newest connection along the Sand Creek Trail, the underpass being constructed as part of the
News Wednesday September 14, 2022
A Well-Deserved Honor Many Colorado Springs residents don’t know Lyda Hill or the impact she has had on our community. And she’s probably fine with
News Wednesday September 7, 2022
Sustain-a-Center Rain Garden A rain garden is a depressed area that collects rainwater from a roof, driveway or street and allows it to soak into
News Wednesday August 31, 2022
New TOPS Story Map As TOPS celebrates it’s 25th year of preserving parks, trails and open spaces, TOSC has developed a unique “story map” that highlights
News Wednesday August 24, 2022
New Playground Fox Run Regional Park A new playground in Fox Run Regional Park will open soon. The old playground was
News Wednesday August 17, 2022
Panorama Park Grand Reopening This Saturday, August 20th, come see the largest neighborhood park renovation in Colorado Springs’ history! This epic event is free, family-friendly and will
News Wednesday August 10, 2022
One More TOPS Project in 2022! We’re delighted the TOPS Working Committee unanimously supported adding another open space project this year. Thanks to TOPS Director/Acting
News Wednesday July 27, 2022
We know You know trails! You know the trails, and the gaps in our trail system. The ultimate goal of a well-connected system is for
News Wednesday July 20, 2022
2023 TOPS Projects – Trails The TOPS (trails, open space and parks) tax ordinance allows up to 20% of the budget to be used for trail projects.