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 June 2, 2021
Pedal Our Past For 2021, in honor of the Colorado Springs 150th year, the City is taking a new spin on Bike Month by hosting
Sinton Trail Closure and Detour
Update 8/13/2021 We are happy to report that the repair effort along Douglas Creek and the Sinton Trail is complete! The asphalt trail that was
News Wednesday May 26, 2021
Get Out – Spread Out Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer. Temperatures and congestion at trailheads begin to heat up. When the
News Wednesday May 19, 2021
TOPS 2022 Park Projects Each year Parks Staff proposes projects for the following year. TOPS Working Committee and Parks Advisory Board discuss and approve the
News Wednesday May 12, 2021
Trail Projects for 2022 We’re guessing you have a list of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP’s) floating around your brain waiting for time and dollars to
TOPS Projects Proposal 2022
Update 5/6/2021 – 2022 Proposed TOPS Capital Improvement Projects and Budget.These proposed projects that will be discussed and voted upon by both TOPS WC and
News Wednesday May 5, 2021
Get Out; Get Healthy Connecting people to trails, parks and open spaces to improve physical activity The Trails and Open Space Coalition has partnered with Peak
News Wednesday April 28, 2021
Panorama Park Groundbreaking We are excited to announce the groundbreaking for the redevelopment of Panorama Park will take place on May 8th! The City of Colorado
News Wednesday April 21, 2021
Great Amereican Cleanup Springtime in the Rockies means melting snow and warm sunshine, but also reveals the oodles of trash that has collected along creeks