Advocacy & Safety - New Park! New Biking Trails? Colorado Springs

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bikeCOLORADO
02-16-04, 03:36 PM
Colorado Springs:
The initial planning meeting for Red Rock Canyon was VERY
interesting - showcasing the geology, vegitation and trails/roads
that exist in the canyon. The planning process was also outlined -
and this is the key point...YOU can have a direct and long lasting
impact on the decisions and designs for the future of Red Rock Canyon.

Please participate, also please forward email to any and all Mountain
Bikers you know.

The 787 acre Red Rock Canyon has been saved from development and the
trails planning stage is just beginning. Directly South of Garden of
the Gods across highway 24. It is a magnificent place. More
beautiful, primitive and diverse than Garden of the Gods - yet as big
and potentially as trails rich as Palmer Park.

This is a truly historic opportunity to be part of the planning
process to design the ENTIRE trail system, access roads, parking and
other uses for the park (like rock-climbing).

Red Rock Canyon sits due south of Garden of the Gods Park directly
across Highway 24 - bordered to the West by Crystal Park Road and on
the East by 26th street. Red Rock Canyon is nearly identical in size
to Palmer Park.

This park can potentially support a wide variety of biking trails,
mixed use trails and loops, beginner to advanced. May even provide
for aggressive freeride areas.

Mountain Biking concerns will not be considered unless you attend,
participate and let your Mountain Biking voice be heard!

If you can not attend any of the meetings - please submit your
comments ("What's important to you when it comes to developing the
Red Rock Canyon Open Space Master Plan?") via the following web site
NLT 19 Feb '04
http://www.springsgov.com/Page.asp?NavID=4081

February 11, 2004 - Learn more about the master planning process and
Red Rock Canyon
March 3, 2004 - Help identify the big issues and hear an analysis of
the property
March 10, 2004 - Decide on goals for the master plan and work with
other meeting participants to develop draft plans
April 14, 2004 - Give your response to a draft concept plan
May 5, 2004 - Review the final concept plan

All meetings held at the West Center for Intergenerational Learning
(West Junior High School), 25 N. 20th Street.
Colorado Springs, CO


bikeCOLORADO
03-04-04, 10:55 AM
Alright, so I'm starting to get irritated.

Last night's meeting went well - even more people showed up, but MOSTLY HIKERS.

What does it take to convince MOUNTAIN BIKERS that they need to get INVOLVED! In a room of about 140 people there were FIVE Mountain Bikers. Thankfully last night was more informational...the real meat and potatoes meeting is next Wed (March 11th) when we'll break up into smaller planning groups to start planning the trails.

Due to the work of a dedicated FEW - we've actually got the word "freeriding" on the list of suggested uses for the park. BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN if more mountain bikers don't get involved.

It's no wonder that trails get closed all around the country when mountain bikers don't let their voices be heard...or NEW trails are designed from the get-go as NON biking because of the same lack of involvement.

Help YOURSELF out here people - get your rear ends down to the meetings (and similar meetings in YOUR area). It is such a MINISCULE investment in time compared to how much time we spend on the trails that it's ridiculous. It's like paying 50 cents for a brand new Santa Cruz VPP Free (or whatever your dream ride is).

Just Do It!