#10 Community Park Master Plan- Norman “Bulldog” Coleman Park
Right now, there are no community parks east of Powers Blvd despite rapid residential growth in this area of Colorado Springs. Coleman Park is a 54 acre site with great potential to serve the needs and desires of several neighborhoods. If voters support 2B, $242,000 would be allotted to start the master planning process. TOPS could then be used to help build the park and leverage lottery dollars for the project, but it all starts with a master plan.
Black Forest or Fox Run Regional Park? The new El Paso County Nature Center is likely to land in one of these parks. The northern nature center was listed as a priority in the county’s last parks master plan. A feasibility study is nearly complete. 300 participants took a community survey prioritizing scenery, wildlife, a peaceful location and trail loops. Black Forest Park has 14 miles of existing trails on 382 acres. Badly damaged during the Black Forest Fire, it would provide a unique and dynamic location for the nature center. Fox Run Park has 409 acres, 6.8 miles of trail and is closer to population centers.
Once the location is decided, parks staff will decide what kind of programs they plan to offer and begin to discuss site design. Fundraising will follow (no price tag available at this time) with a capital campaign hopefully wrapping up by the end of 2022. Opening date: possibly sometime in 2023.
Chutes Trail will be under construction starting Tuesday, Oct. 8th. The closure is expected to last approximately 2 weeks, but is weather dependent. Once the work is complete, the trail will be re-opened as a dedicated downhill mountain bike trail.
Fall & Pumpkin Spice Lattes, need we say more? Join Bike Colorado Springs & Organization of Westside Neighbors for an 8 mile tour of Old Colorado City on the Pumpkin Spice Ride! Grab your thermos, throw on a flannel and meet us at Bristol Park. We’ll pedal over to Rosco’s Coffee House for our first latte, then hop back on our bikes and ride to Jive’s for another dose of pumpkin spice heaven. 10 Pike Ride E-bikes available!
Join TOSC and the Friends of Peregrine Open Spaces for an intermediate 3 mile hike. Autumn is a magical time to be in Ute Valley Park. The beautiful oranges, coppers and browns that the scrub oak turn in this little canyon make the East Loop Trail one of the best kept secrets in the region.
The City has identified the need for several roadway and safety improvements along 30th Street. Elements of the Proposed Action include repaving 30th Street, widening with multi-use shoulders, intersection improvements, retaining walls, and a drainage and water quality system. Come learn more about the project at the public meeting.
The State of Health and Wellness in Colorado Springs
Thur. Oct 10, 3:30 – 5:30 pm
Penrose House Garden Pavilion 1661 Mesa Ave
Explore the health benefits of the outdoors and how Colorado Springs can build relationships between health, healthcare, and the outdoors to capitalize on its history and identity as a community.
Come experience amazing views of Pikes Peak, the Sagre De Cristo range and the Collegiate Peaks with Naturalist Michelle. Grouse Mountain is the highest point Mueller State Park and it offers an incredible vantage point. Parks pass required.
The Cheyenne Mountain Run is this Saturday! Be a part of the only trail run to the top of Cheyenne Mountain and back. All profits go to Cheyenne Mountain State Park and will be used to build and maintain trails.
Fall Harvest Festival
Sat. Oct 12, 11:00 – 3:00 pm
Gold Hill Mesa Community Center
Come celebrate fall! This fun event benefiting Bear Creek Nature Center will have live music, a petting zoo, pony rides, bounce houses, face painters, vendors, food trucks, and pumpkins. Great fun for all ages, benefiting the Bear Creek Nature Center.
TOPS is hosting three Leave No Trace Awareness Workshops. Friends Groups, partners, and interested outdoor advocates are invited to come learn how to promote a better understanding of the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace. This interactive workshop will discuss stewardship issues related to Colorado Springs natural areas.
Trot, Gallop or Stampede through one of the most beautiful national landmarks in Colorado. This family-friendly stick-horse 5K is an un-timed, entertaining event benefits the Garden of the Gods Foundation and Rock Ledge Ranch. event. Go west, be silly, support local!
Halloween Costume Carnival
Sat. Oct 19, 4:00 – 7:00 pm
Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center
2120 S Cheyenne Canyon Road
Join the Friends of Cheyenne Canon for their annual Halloween Costume Carnival! Come enjoy carnival games, a duck race, scavenger hunt, family friendly haunted trail and more! Admission is free with game tickets available for purchase.
Come have a beer in support of Corral Bluffs Alliance (CoBA). Rock Bottom Brewery will be donating a portion of each Johnny Apple Ale sold to CoBA during the month of October. Cheers to Rock Bottom Brewery for supporting our friends at CoBa!
Volunteer Projects
Check out our Volunteer Calendar for details about community projects and how to connect with our amazing friends groups to help keep our parks, trails and open spaces in tip-top shape.
