Advocacy

The TOSC Monthly Advocacy Report contains more information on current trails, open space and parks issues.

TOSC ADVOCACY REPORT – March 2012  Bill Koerner

TRAILS CONNECTIVITY:

Several important trail connection projects are included in the project plans for the PPRTA-2 extension that will go to the voters in November 2012 for reauthorization. Cottonwood Trail, Rock Island Trail, Shooks Run Trail, Templeton Gap Trail, Midland Trail, Sinton Trail and Sand Creek Trail connections and/or improvements are contemplated.

TOPS funding will play an important role in connecting trails. Strategies are being developed for addressing the tough trails connectivity and trails acquisition issues and developing long term plans. Chris Lieber, returning Principal Planner for City Parks, will be attending the April TOSC Advocacy Committee to address these issues. This may entail hiring a trails consultant with railroad right-of-way experience, as additional cooperation is needed from the BNSF and UP railroads to provide the needed right of way for connectivity.

BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION:

Over $3M in citywide on-street bikeway improvements are contemplated for PPRTA-2. These improvements include on street bike lane markings, routes identification, share the road strategies and commuting trail connectivity. New road projects and improvements to existing roads and streets will be designed to be bicycle friendly. The key to having the roadway plans in place to guide implementation is having the Bikeway and Trails Master Plan completed. It is off to a slow start as it was contemplated to be completed last year, and be available for the planning of PPRTA-2 projects. A new completion date is not available at this time.

INCLINE:

The Intergovernmental Agreements have been signed by Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs. A volunteer workday to build new access and egress trails and to abandon social trails is scheduled for May 12.  Incline Friends showed “Bicycle Dreams” about the (Bike) Race across America at Stargazers as a fundraiser on Wed, March 28. Over 200 attended. Rep Lamborn is sponsoring a bill to abandon the 1875 federal easement on the incline, which will allow the US Forest Service to provide the special use permit to allow work on the USFS owned upper 1/3 of the Incline. With the advent of warm weather, the Incline use has been heavy. Several problems are becoming more noticeable and troublesome. The Barr trail below the Incline social trail junction at the top of the Incline is deteriorating rapidly. With some of the log fences down, switchback cutting is occurring and the trail tread is deteriorating. The unpleasant smell of dog poop is very noticeable at the base of the Incline on warm days. Dog owners are asked to leave their dogs at home. If they must come, then owners need to come prepared to keep their dogs on lease, and pick up and carry out the poop following the leave no trace ethic practiced by conscientious users/owners.  Once the Incline is legalized and officially opened, dogs will be prohibited for safety and health reasons.

PARKS SOLUTIONS TEAM:

Parks Solutions team has issued a final report which will be presented to City Council in April. Modifications to TOPS are being discussed to provide COS Parks more flexibility for the use of TOPS Parks and Maintenance funds. The Parks category (20%) could be used for maintenance and renovation in addition to the present acquisition and development purposes. This would require a City ballot issue and a positive vote of the people. The 6% maintenance set-aside could be used for the maintenance of all parks. The CSU Water Conservation rate could be extended and the irrigation systems retrofits could continue. TOSC is participating as part of the Parks Solutions Team.

CORRAL BLUFFS:

Ultra Petroleum has begun drilling test wells in the Corral Bluffs (CB) area and has applied for two drilling permits for the Banning Lewis Ranch property. El Paso County is the reviewing entity. They recently passed regulations requiring periodic testing for well water contamination, which was not required by state regulations. The COS Oil and Gas Committee is looking at similar regulations for property inside the City limits. COS Parks continues looking at designating CB as a Colorado Natural Area. This may be influenced by resolution of the Ultra/COS discussions on COS oil and gas regulations and Ultra drilling plans. Two TOPS applications proposed by TOSC and CoBA have been submitted to the TOPS program. One for the property between Jimmy Camp Creek Park and the existing CB Open Space, and the second for the Jimmy Camp Creek Trails corridors south to Fountain Creek and the future Front Range Trail. The TOPS Working Committee will tour the properties next month. In a presentation to the COS Oil and Gas Committee, Ultra made a strong case for finding oil/gas reserves. Ultra may be disposed to entertain the TOSC/CoBA proposal.

A land rezoning/and development proposal, The Reserve at Corral Bluffs, for 31 5 acre lots, has been submitted to El Paso County Development Services Division. The property adjoins the north border of the Corral Bluffs Open Space and would place houses right on the rim of the Bluffs. TOSC continues to support CoBA in their efforts to protect Corral Bluffs.

REDROCK CANYON OPEN SPACE MASTER PLAN:

Cos parks expects the interim “building cooperation” process to get underway sometime during April. The Red Rock Master Plan process may restart simultaneously. TOSC will continue participating in the master plan process.

EL PASO COUNTY PARKS CONSERVATION EASEMENTS:

Palmer Land Trust has proposed  donating some pro bono time to support placing conservation easements on Bear Creek, Fox Run, Black Forest, Fountain Creek and Paint Mines. The challenge will be finding the match money to put the Conservation easements in place. TOSC is participating in these discussions.

RAINBOW FALLS:

EPC Parks has made physical improvements to the parking lot, build an overlook trail and installed surveillance cameras. Law enforcement agencies are conducting a vigorous graffiti abatement  program. Citations are being issued. TOSC is represented on the EPC Rainbow Falls Coalition.

WILLOW SPRINGS PROPERTY:

A new open space and active recreation area has been proposed for the New Santa Fe Trail/Monument area by El Paso County Parks. Trail connections to the New Santa Fe and the Pike National Forest would be possible. The TOPS WC committee discussed this proposal at their Feb 1 meeting and toured the property on Feb 14.

FOUNTAIN CREEK WATERSHED, WEDGEWOOD DUCK CLUB:

The Fountain Creek Watershed Authority and CSU have submitted an application for TOPS purchase of the 62 acre Wedgewood Duck Club property. This property straddles Fountain Creek adjacent to Clear Springs Ranch south of Fountain. The Working Committee discussed the application at their Feb. 1 meeting and a TOPS tour conducted on Feb 22.

JOINT COS/EPC PARKS BOSRD MEETING:

EPC is planning for a new 200 acre Falcon Regional Park to serve northeastern EPC. Black Forest Regional Park will be expanded by 145 Acres and may receive a $200K GOCO Grant. The GOCO River Corridor Initiative may provide $5M in grant funds for improvements and construction of a Front Range Trail segment to Pueblo.

"To save us from ourselves, perfect our harmony within the the natural world"

What are open space and trails? Open space can be characterized as land left in a primarily natural state containing significant natural, aesthetic, or cultural features that warrant protection. Land designated as open space is permanently protected, not a temporary designation for vacant lands.

Why do we need trails and open space? Trails and open space enhance a community's quality of life. Trails and open space help us maintain our western character and safeguard the visual interest which has brought so many people to our region. As our communities continue to grow, our need for trails and open space grows. More growth means more people accessing limited resources and depleting existing open space resources.

Significant areas such as Palmer Park and Garden of the Gods Park were donated many years ago and those donations remain as the largest source of public open space. However, significant donations have plummeted since the late 1930s. Communities in the Pikes Peak region have developed trails and open space master plans and update them periodically . These address the funding, acquisition and development of additional trails and open space. However, funding of the implementation of these plans has always been a problem. Other means to acquire public open space include purchase, leasing (Section 16), trading or land dedication; however, the growth of open space has not kept up with the population growth or development. Private open space may be secured through open space tracts, preservation areas, conservation easements or land trusts.

GOALS

Create the political climate in which local decisions to fund open space and trails are approved and supported.

Assist local governments in the formation and implementation of their trails, parks and open space master plans.

Build, encourage and coordinate grassroots support for open space and trails.

Develop public/private partnerships to benefit trails and open space.

Influence and coordinate with government agencies, community organizations and businesses.

Promote intermodal use of trails

Promote accessibility to all citizens, including youth, seniors and disabled.

Help the environment.

Be a voice that is heard. 

METHODS

Advocacy is essential to getting trails built or preserving open space. Private individuals and organizations make the most effective advocates. Government bodies; i.e., city councils, county commissions, park boards and others listen to their constituents. To be an effective advocate, you first have to know what it is you want. Define what you want in simple terms that anyone can understand.

Once you know what you want, educate yourself. To be an effective advocate, you have to become educated on a number of things: how the public process works in your community, public relations, fundraising, the master plans your project might fall under, the development process, trail construction and maintenance, how local government works and who the players are, what committees are there that might influence your project, wildlife and habitat, the Endangered Species Act, TEA-21, State Trails Program, Great Outdoors Colorado, TOPS and a host of other subjects. You also need to understand the important role trails or open space might play in your community.

Regularly Scheduled Meetings

Colorado Springs

Calendar

City Council meets in formal session at 1:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Council meets in Council Chambers on the third floor of the new City Hall, 107 North Nevada Avenue. Informal Council meetings are held at 1 p.m. on Mondays preceding formal Council days. All City Council meetings are open to the public, except portions of meetings in which legal, land acquisition, or personnel matters are discussed. Agenda.

The Planning Commission has final agency authority on numerous land use applications as well as acting in an advisory capacity to City Council on various other land use matters. To contact the commission, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Formal Planning Commission meetings are monthly, 3rd Thursdays, 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. in the Regional Building Hearing Room, 2880 International Circle.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is an advisory body to the City Council on parks and recreation resources within the City, The Board holds a public meeting monthly to review matters pertaining to the planning, development, improvement, beautification, equipping and maintaining the public parks, playgrounds, programs, urban forest, recreation facilities and resources including golf courses and center street parkings. To contact the board, send email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Meetings are the second Thursday of the month at 7:30 a.m. at the Parks and Recreation Department, 1401 Recreation Way.