Author: Susan Davies
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Trail Talk: Coping with park envy as Denver adds to its system
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I remember my father trading in the family station wagon every two to three years. Even back then it was an extravagant habit on an elementary school teacher’s salary. A neighbor would bring home a new car and my dad would start car shopping. I feel that way about parks, open space and trails. When…
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Trail Talk: Big plans, new ideas for 2024
New trail socks and a new parks calendar — I’m ready to tackle 2024. With new ways of thinking, problem-solving and, yes, new trails to explore. Over the holidays, I chatted with a Fort Collins multi-modal transportation visionary. I had met him years ago, and he excitedly shared “what was new.” His team recently flew…
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Trail Talk: There are plenty of ways to give back to Colorado’s outdoors
‘Tis the season of giving. Thanksgiving first, followed by all of the gifts reserved for December. Those who love the outdoors are thankful for all of the gifts we have in the way of trails, open spaces and parks. Deep woodlands, free-flowing streams and rivers, and lakes on which to paddle. Hikers, bikers and equestrians…
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Seeking balance in capitalizing on our natural assets | Trail Talk
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Years ago the Trails and Open Space Coalition board and staff declared one of our organizational goals to be: “Transform the Pikes Peak region into a world-class outdoor recreation destination.” Some will read that and recoil in horror. They imagine crowds, adventure-seeking tourists, more people on our trails. Others will see economic value in investing…
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Trail Talk: Outdoor enthusiast enjoys remarkable climb up Lincoln Mountain
Friends tell me they don’t watch the news anymore because it’s too depressing. As a former journalist, that sentiment is depressing. An informed electorate is critical to a healthy democracy. I’ll descend from my soapbox and share a story guaranteed to lift your spirits. Years ago, retired Col. Mark Maloney, an avid trail runner and…
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Trail Talk: Donations can help address multiple needs in Colorado Springs area parks
Someone you care about dies. She or he loved parks and trails. Why not have a bench placed in her favorite park or along his favorite trail as a tribute? Thirty years ago, it was an excellent idea. The challenge today for most parks departments: There aren’t enough benches. These departments don’t have the money…
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Trail Talk: New forest plan needed to keep up with times
When I gather with friends, the conversation almost always drifts to trails and hiking. People love to share where they’ve been and also mine others for new, great options. Some of my friends no longer tell me of their discoveries because they know I’ll share them. Recently an acquaintance hinted that there was a new…
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Trail Talk: ‘Rainy day fund’ needed to cover deluge of required maintenance in county parks
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Before I became a trails advocate, I regularly stood in front of a green screen and detailed weather fronts, pressure systems and damaging hail to TV viewers in southern Colorado. Back then, we usually talked about pea-sized, golf-ball and the occasional baseball-sized hail. During recent storms along the Front Range, I heard people talking about…
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Trail Talk: Nepal national parks offer a safe walk on the wild side
I recently visited my sister who’s been working in Nepal. A public service veteran, now with grown children, she sought jobs that would enable her to share her skills in other parts of the world. While her work is fascinating, I’d rather share some of what I experienced in two short weeks. Despite its size…
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Imagine if we topped off TOPS | Outsider’s View
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On April 4 Colorado Springs overwhelmingly voted to extend the TOPS program for twenty more years. TOPS (trails, open space and parks) was originally passed in 1997. A group of citizens gathered voter signatures and placed it on the ballot. Rapid development was robbing the region of pristine open space and recreational opportunities. Counties to…