Fountain Valley News - Your Hometown Community Newspaper

Good day. I hope all are enjoying a nice start to your week. I enjoyed a great time helping to co-host lunch (along with prime food sponsor that day, Papa Murphy's) at the Family Fun Day at Fountain Creek Nature Center this past Saturday. Thanks to all those that came out during a beautiful day. This week, I have an update regarding our county parks master plan and a request for volunteers for our Park Advisory Board.

First, El Paso County Parks invites citizens to attend the El Paso County Parks Master Plan Update open house, which will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at the Bear Creek Nature Center, 245 Bear Creek Road, 80906. The open house is scheduled from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. The public is invited to learn more about the County Parks Master Plan Update and voice opinions about the master plan. The project team will review the additional public and stakeholder input for the final Master Plan. Review and adoption by the Park Advisory Board and Board of County Commissioners is anticipated summer 2022. A draft of County Parks Master Plan Update will be posted online for public review, Wednesday, May 11, to provide the public an opportunity to review prior to the open house. For more information and a draft copy, visit the El Paso County Master Plan Update webpage at: https://epcountyparkplan.com/.

The Parks Master Plan is a guiding document that works with other county plans to maximize recreation opportunities such as nature centers, parks, trails, and the long-term protection of open space. This process will reaffirm essential goals and objectives of the existing Master Plan, while incorporating needed changes and new ideas based on input by stakeholders, analysis of data and will continue to guide the County's efforts to provide high quality services that are valued by citizens.

This plan will: Assess the condition of the parks and open space general infrastructure and provide prioritized recommendations to address needs and gaps in condition and service; Update GIS data and mapping; Conduct a regional comparison of Open Space Programs; Conduct public engagement to seek opinions regarding satisfaction levels with maintenance of park properties, trails and open spaces; Recognize and acknowledge the value and health benefits of Parks and Recreation. Public comments can be submitted in writing to Theresa Jackson at [email protected] until Wednesday June 1.

Submitted photo

Hot dogs and little goats like the one Longinos Gonzalez is holding were just a few of the many attractions at the Family Fun Day on May 7.

Also, the Board of El Paso County Commissioners is seeking community-minded citizen volunteers to serve on the El Paso County Park Advisory Board. Applications for the open position are due by May 16. The Board is currently seeking three citizens, one to represent District 5 (central portion of El Paso County), one to represent District 1 (northern portion of El Paso County), and one to represent District 4 (southern portion of El Paso County).

The Park Advisory Board reviews and comments on items and proposals related to park policies, philosophies, and objectives, and makes formal recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners. The Park Advisory Board meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 1:30 pm in Centennial Hall, 200 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO. The volunteer application can be accessed at: https://bocc.elpasoco.com/volunteer. Thanks, and enjoy a great week.