Title
Ordinance No. 18-92 Amending Ordinance No. 17-116 (2018 Appropriation Ordinance) for a Supplemental Appropriation in the Amount of $1,100,000 to the Trails, Open Space and Parks Fund for Acquisition of up to 246 Acres of Property for the Purpose of Public Open Space and Trails as an Expansion of the Corral Bluffs Open Space
Presenter:
Karen Palus, Director, Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services
Britt Haley, Design and Development Manager / TOPS Program Manager
Body
Summary:
Since 1996, when the City's first Open Space Plan was adopted, the City of Colorado Springs has prioritized and worked to acquire property in and around the Corral Bluffs Area for its special open space values. This action item provides the opportunity for the TOPS program to acquire, manage and protect up to 246 acres of property located in the heart of the existing horseshoe shaped Corral Bluffs Open Space. Additionally, it offers access from the existing Corral Bluffs property to State Highway 94. If this acquisition is approved by City Council, a supplemental appropriation from the TOPS Open Space Category will be necessary.
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Background:
The 2014 Park System Master Plan ("Master Plan") identifies the Corral Bluffs Area as an Open Space Candidate Area. In fact, this area has long been identified for land conservation in advance of development. It was first identified over 20 years ago in the 1996 City Open Space Plan and also in the 1997 El Paso County Open Space Master Plan. Beginning with a TOPS program purchase of the Case property in 2009 and continuing up to the purchase of the Kyle property in 2017, the TOPS program has diligently and patiently worked to assemble adjoining property in this resource rich area. However, acquisition of the adjoining property owned by the Bishop family, which lies at the very heart of the existing Corral Bluffs Open Space property, has been an elusive goal until now.
The 2014 Park System Master P...
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