From the City of Colorado Springs
The
City of Colorado Springs and the City of Manitou Springs are leading a public process to explore the feasibility of opening the Manitou Incline
for legal, public recreation and to develop a management plan that will guide future decision-making regarding recreational use.
Community members interested in the future of recreation at the Manitou Incline will have
an opportunity to learn more and provide input at a public workshop in Manitou Springs on Thursday, June 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Manitou Springs City Hall, 606 Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs, CO 80829.
The Manitou Incline is posted "no trespassing" and hiking there
is illegal, yet it has become one of the most popular trails in the
region. On-going prohibited use has resulted in dangerous trail
conditions,
traffic congestion and uncontrolled parking that puts the safety of
users as well as neighboring residents at risk.
Participants in the workshop will have the opportunity to identify critical issues
and provide input into the types of solutions they would like to see
related to parking and traffic, trail and trailhead design and
operations
and management.
Tapis Associates has been hired to prepare the
plan and has assembled a team of consultants that includes: Wilson &
Company, Loris and Associates, ERO Resources, GreenPlay, LLC, and
Kezziah
Watkins. Representatives from the consultant team will facilitate the
meeting; Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs city staff will also be
on hand to answer questions.
The following additional public meetings will be hosted in July at Manitou
Springs City Hall.
July 13th – Traffic and Parking Focus Area Session, 6 – 9 p.m.
July 14th – Trails and Trailhead Focus Area Session, 6 – 9 p.m.
July 15th – Management and Operations Focus Area Session, 6 – 9 p.m.
The planning process is funded by Great Outdoors Colorado and the Hill
Family
Foundation. The final plan will be presented to the Colorado Springs
and Manitou Springs City Councils in February 2011.
For more information, please contact Aimee Cox at 719-385-6532 or aicox@springsgov.com.