Woodland Park celebrated two milestones concerning the Avenger Open Space on June 4.

The first was being granted a special use permit from the National Forest Service to a 0.70 piece of property that will allow public access to Avenger.

The permit finally allows all of the carefully placed dominos to fall. Woodland Park was awarded $523,250 by Great Outdoors Colorado to purchase the property, but a condition of the grant was the land be put into a conservancy. The city contracted with Palmer land Conservancy to fulfill that requirement, but the conservancy required the forest service permit so that the land can be accessed.

“We’re excited to provide the approved Forest Service use permit PPK903,” Parks and Recreation Director Cindy Keating announced to the Woodland Park City Council at their June 4 meeting.

Since it was largely due to Keating’s tenacity that the process was completed, it was fitting that the permit was presented on her final official day in her position.

“What makes this the most exciting project is that it’s the first and the largest land acquisition in the history of the City of Woodland Park,” said Keating, who is now officially retired. “The beauty of this as well is we have GOCO dollars that helped purchase the property, which in return for that grant the land has to be conserved in perpetuity so it will always remain undeveloped.”

The second milestone for the Avenger project was the official presentation of the Starburst Award.

“Receiving a Starburst Award means something. It represents projects that go above and beyond,” said Proceeds Manager for the Colorado Lottery Adrian Varney. “Avenger Open Space reflects a thoughtful investment in both conservation and community. It helps ensure that future generations will continue to have access to open space, recreation and the kind of landscapes that make Colorado such a special place to live.”

Parks and Recreation Board Chair Jeff Webb highlighted how the project was a grassroots effort that became a grand collaboration that involved the city, Great Outdoors Colorado, the Colorado Lottery, Palmer Land Conservancy and a wide representation of the citizenry.

“It was really community driven for the good of all of Woodland Park,” he said. “So we get to have Avenger as the physical representation of what can happen in our community when we all work together.”

He said that more than $90,000 had been raised from community members.

Only 18 of the hundreds of projects that were submitted received the Starburst Award. The winners represent just 2.5% of the applicants.

“Every one of these projects is a story – of vision, partnership and a commitment to create something meaningful for the people who use these spaces every day,” Varney said. “Avenger Open Space is a powerful example of that.”