Red Rock Canyon Open Space (Bob Falcone)
If you or someone you know is interested in a job in the outdoor recreation industry, the Pikes Peak Workforce Center may be able to help match you up with a prospective employer. The agency, in partnership with the Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance, will hold an Outdoor Industry Job Fair at the El Paso County Citizens Service Center (1675 Garden of the Gods Road) on March 9, from 10am to 2pm. For more information, or to sign up, either as an employer or as a job seeker, contact the Workforce Center.
The Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department has unveiled plans for a substantial trail improvement and reclamation project in the popular Red Rock Canyon Open Space. The project, led by PRCS Senior Landscape Architect David Deitemeyer, is anticipated to be completed by this fall, and will reroute or close unsustainable trails while also building new ones. Routes like the Mesa and Hogback Valley trails — originally old roadbeds — are notorious for significant erosion. The Mesa Trail in particular can be especially treacherous in the winter, when the steep slope near the main parking lot ices over. The project follows the Red Rock Canyon Open Space master plan, which states old roadbeds are not sustainable as trails and that existing trails on the roadbeds should be rerouted to more sustainable single-track trails.
The project will also bring a new sign and wayfinding package to the park, similar to what is currently seen in Palmer Park, Blodgett Open Space and the Sweetwater Canyon section of North Cheyenne Canon Park. The overall project, which has been divided up into five areas within the Open Space, will result in almost 23,000 feet — or about 4.34 miles— of new or improved existing trails, with difficulty ratings of Green (easy), Blue (intermediate) or Black (advanced). The project will also close approximately 1.4 miles of trails, and more than a mile of roads will be converted to single-track trails. Some trail closures in work areas are anticipated during the project.
Map showing 5 project areas in Red Rock Canyon Open Space. (Colorado Springs PRCS)
Meanwhile, a project to reclaim a pond near the south end of the Open Space, adjacent to what was once an old landfill, is nearing completion. Using dirt fill from construction projects around the city, along with trees cut down as part of city-wide fire mitigation projects, the pond will soon be filled in and reclaimed.
Concept drawing of reclamation project when completed. (City of Colorado Springs)
Be Good. Do Good Things. Leave No Trace.