Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Open Space topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council pauses plan for Bill Bower’s open space trail, asks to include site in future master plan
Summary
After public comment and council discussion about wildlife corridors, steep terrain and missing easement access, the Manitou Springs City Council voted 6–1 to postpone trail development through Bill Bower’s open space and direct staff to include the site in a future open‑space master plan update.
The Manitou Springs City Council voted April 21 to postpone trail development through Bill Bower’s open space and to consider the site as part of a future open‑space master plan. The motion passed 6–1, with Councilor John Shada dissenting.
Parks and Recreation Director Jillian Rossi summarized community outreach and a consultant survey indicating support for a low‑impact trail; she asked whether council wanted staff to continue planning the trail connection. Several councilors and members of the public raised concerns about environmental impacts, steep and narrow terrain, lack of an easement at a critical pinch point, off‑leash dogs, public safety and cost estimates. Public commenters urged preservation of wildlife corridors and urged more study; others and the Park Advisory Board supported a low‑impact connection.
Public commenter Neil Mch urged the council to “please direct the open space advisory committee to stop further efforts to construct a trail… it is a wildlife corridor which will be significantly impacted,” specifically highlighting risks from off‑leash dogs. Another commenter, Judy Carnick, urged additional study, questioned liability, and suggested alternative investments such as removing power lines to improve the viewshed.
Councilors said the project is contentious and noted data ambiguity: some interpreted the survey as supportive while others noted a substantial number of respondents were neutral or preferred other uses of funds. Several councilors said a wildlife study (estimated $9,000–$12,000) and securing easement access would be prerequisites before moving forward.
Given the terrain, cost and outstanding access and environmental questions, the council motioned to postpone development now, direct staff not to spend additional OSAC funds at this time, and include Bill Bower’s open space in the next Parks/Open Space master‑plan update. The motion carried 6–1.
Council asked staff to retain the site for future planning and to return with any required studies or easement information before authorizing construction work.
