Title
An appeal of the Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Board decision to approve the Blodgett Open Space Master and Management Plan
Presenter:
Britt Haley, Director, Parks Recreation and Cultural Services Department
Lonna Thelen, Program Manager, Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) Program
David Deitemeyer, Senior Program Administrator, Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) Program
Body
Summary:
Through an extensive public process, Park Department staff and the consultant team (Tapis Associates) produced the Blodgett Peak Open Space Master and Management Plan approved by the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Board April 11, 2024. The approved Blodget Peak Open Space Master and Management Plan has been appealed to City Council.
Background:
Blodgett Open Space, located on the northwest side of Colorado Springs, consists of multiple parcels of Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) program acquired land over the past 20 years. The original Blodgett Open Space was first acquired in 2001. In recent years, the City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department (PRCS) purchased additional land in three phases for the expansion of the open space. The most recent purchase of 153 acres occurred in the spring of 2021. The entirety of Blodgett Open Space is comprised of 384 acres.
Blodgett Open Space has been used for passive recreation, including hiking, mountain biking and wildlife viewing. The open space also serves as a gateway to the Pike National Forest and several undesignated illegal trails, including access to Blodgett Peak. With the increase in visitation, newly acquired properties, creation of illegal trails and an outdated master plan for the open space, the necessity for the comprehensive planning and resource oversight was critical.
To establish a holistic new plan for the long-range enhancement and management of Blodgett Open Space, PRCS selected Tapis Associates to lea...
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