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Community donations top $90,000 to protect Avenger Open Space; wildfire mitigation planned for July
Summary
City and parks board members recognized donors whose contributions helped preserve Avenger Open Space, a 20‑acre tract the city purchased as its largest open‑space acquisition; staff and partners outlined conservation easement planning, NEPA coordination with the U.S. Forest Service and a July wildfire‑mitigation project led by Team Rubicon.
Council and Parks & Recreation Advisory Board members recognized donors and described next steps for Avenger Open Space during the March 20 meeting.
Jeff Webb, chair of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, described Avenger as a 20‑acre property purchased by the city — the largest open space acquisition in Woodland Park’s history — and said the community raised $90,000 in private donations to help secure the site along with Great Outdoors Colorado (GoCo) grant funding.
Webb credited 35 individual donors and three private foundation gifts, noting the largest donations included $20,000, $18,000 and $10,000 gifts and that the average donation was about $2,500. He also highlighted a small $50 gift as representative of broad community support.
Partners identified in Webb’s presentation included the City of Woodland Park, Palmer Land Conservancy and the Teller Trail Team. Webb said the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is helping develop a conservation easement for permanent protection and that staff is coordinating with the U.S. Forest Service on a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and environmental assessment.
Webb said the city will use donation funds for trail construction and restoration and announced a wildfire mitigation effort planned for July 11–20. He said the mitigation work will target about 30 acres on or near the property and will be carried out by Team Rubicon; Webb emphasized the work is intended to improve habitat while reducing wildfire risk.
Why it matters: The acquisition and community fundraising preserve scenic and recreational land, and the mitigation work seeks to reduce wildfire risk for nearby homes while maintaining environmental protections.
Next steps: Staff and partners will continue NEPA coordination with the U.S. Forest Service, develop a conservation easement, begin master planning for future uses and accept additional donations through the city or Palmer Land Conservancy. Donations are tax deductible, Webb said.
No council action was required; the presentation was recognition and an update on project status.
