Title
Resolution of Support for the City of Colorado Springs’ Daniel’s Pass Trail Grant Application to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife State Trails Program
Presenter:
Karen Palus, Director - Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Tilah Larson, Senior Analyst - Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Body
Summary:
The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department submitted an application to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Non-Motorized Trails Grant Opportunity to construct the Daniel’s Pass Trail. The grant application requests $250,000 in funding to support the construction of the trail and its supporting elements. The department is seeking a resolution from City Council in support of the application.
Background:
The 2018 North Cheyenne Cañon Park Master Plan recommends the development of the Daniel’s Pass Trail System. The project reflects the following goals:
• Implement recommendations from the North Cheyenne Cañon Park Master and Management Plan.
• Develop and construct new sustainable non-motorized single-track trail opportunities in undeveloped sections of North Cheyenne Cañon Park.
• Establish new trail connections to existing trails within the park to create increase trail connectivity throughout the park.
• Provide sustainable access to the newly acquired 200 acre parcel of North Cheyenne Cañon Park, known as the west parcel.
• Develop a new trailhead to serve the Daniel’s Pass Trail System.
• Maximize Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services investment into the historic North Cheyenne Cañon Park.
The scope of work for the project includes:
Trailhead Development -
• Paved parking lot for 12 cars
• Informational kiosk with trail map
• Trail crossing on N. Cheyenne Cañon Road
Trail Development -
• New 1.9 miles of new sustainable trail construction of the Daniel’s Pass Trail, connecting N. Cheyenne Cañon Road to Gold Camp Road.
• New 0.5 miles of new sustainable trail construction of the Bruin Inn Connector, connecting Helen Hunt Falls Visitor Center and Columbine Trail to the new Daniel’s Pass Trail.
• Installation of two new pedestrian fiberglass trail bridges over Cheyenne Creek: one for the Daniel’s Pass Trail, the other for the Bruin Inn Connector.
• Trail closure of unsustainable rogue trails.
Signage and Wayfinding -
• New trail wayfinding and signage
• Trail closure signage
• Interpretative signage
If awarded, the project is ready to commence upon completion of grant administration requirements, which could occur in spring of 2020.
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Financial Implications:
Through Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) funding the city will provide $75,000 as match funding, as proposed in the 2020 budget. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife State Trails funding is included in the TABOR calculation.
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Board voted unanimously to support the application to Colorado Parks and Wildlife State Trails at their September 12, 2019 meeting.
Stakeholder Process:
This trail was identified as part of the 2018 North Cheyenne Cañon Master Plan, which included a stakeholder process of four community workshops, a community open house, a presentation to and recommendation from the TOPS Working Committee, and a presentation to and approval from the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Board.
Alternatives:
City Council may choose not to pass a resolution supporting the grant application. Doing so would limit the ability of the city to receive grant funds.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Support the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services’ application to Colorado Parks and Wildlife - State Trails Non-Motorized Grant Opportunity for Daniel’s Pass Trail construction.
Summary of Ordinance Language
N/A