Title
Ordinance No. 18-44 amending Ordinance No. 17-116 (2018 Appropriation Ordinance) for a supplemental appropriation to the Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) Fund in the amount of $159,500 for acquisition of approximately 40 acres owned by Justin Watkins and Melissa Watkins for the purpose of public open space and trails as an extension of Cheyenne Mountain State Park
Presenter:
Britt Haley, Design and Development Manager/TOPS Program Manager - Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
David Deitemeyer, Senior Landscape Architect - Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Body
Summary:
The attached ordinance is a supplemental appropriation for the Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) Fund in the amount of $159,500 for acquisition of approximately 40 acres owned by Justin Watkins and Melissa Watkins for the purpose of public open space and trails as an extension of Cheyenne Mountain State Park.
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Background:
The Watkins property, owned by Justin Watkins and Melissa Watkins, more specifically known as Tax Schedule Number 75000-00-228 ("Property"), consists of approximately 40 acres. The Property is located west of Highway 115 at the terminus of Rock Creek Canyon Road and adjacent to Cheyenne Mountain State Park.
The 2014 Park System Master Plan identifies this area as an open space candidate. The 1997 Open Space Master Plan identified this area has having some of the highest natural resource values in our community including unique geology, wildlife habitat and forests. The TOPS Program partnered with Colorado State Parks in 2001 to acquire the original 1,600-acre Cheyenne Mountain State Park. In 2008-2011 and in 2016, the City purchased additional property to the west of the Park to provide trail connections to the top of Cheyenne Mountain. This trail connection, known as the Dixon Trail is currently under construction. The Property provides an opportunity to advance the future development of the Cheyenne...
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