Author: By Susan Davies Special to The Gazette
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Trail Talk: Be grateful for the foresight that creates so many Colorado parks and open spaces
Perhaps you’ve heard, but Denver is preparing to create its fourth largest park in the city’s history. Plans for the former 155-acre golf course have generated plenty of controversy. Some neighbors would prefer the land to be turned into shops or housing. A pesky conservation easement limits options, however. I say “pesky” with my tongue…
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Trail Talk: Combining forces, dollars can produce impressive results with Colorado land preservation
A recent announcement involving the preservation of open space in Colorado was rather startling. Denver Mountain Parks (DMP) and Jefferson County Open Space (JCOS) split the cost of a critical piece of property. As a result, they have created 4,000-plus acres of contiguous public land. The achievement is remarkable. Never before had these groups purchased…
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Trail Talk: Coping with park envy as Denver adds to its system
I remember my father trading in the family station wagon every two to three years. Even back then it was an extravagant habit on an elementary school teacher’s salary. A neighbor would bring home a new car and my dad would start car shopping. I feel that way about parks, open space and trails. When…
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Trail Talk: There are plenty of ways to give back to Colorado’s outdoors
‘Tis the season of giving. Thanksgiving first, followed by all of the gifts reserved for December. Those who love the outdoors are thankful for all of the gifts we have in the way of trails, open spaces and parks. Deep woodlands, free-flowing streams and rivers, and lakes on which to paddle. Hikers, bikers and equestrians…
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Trail Talk: State would look very different without Great Outdoors Colorado
I enjoy asking people where they like to hike, what they’re seeing out on the trails and what they think is the best way to pay for new parks, trails and open spaces. That last question often garners this response: ”I thought the lottery paid for parks.” It’s true, Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), the program…
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Trail Talk: Open spaces in and around Colorado Springs thrive on volunteers
Colorado Springs is famous for Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods. We call ourselves Olympic City USA. We are a popular tourist, retirement and relocation destination. May I submit that we should also be known for our large number of volunteers. I’ve never lived anywhere with so many “Friends Groups” supporting parks, trails and…