Officials in Woodland Park, Colorado, are asking for public feedback to establish permanent rules for the newly acquired Avenger Open Space. The 120-acre property was secured through a collaborative effort involving local government, a non-profit organization, and community fundraising.
An open house is scheduled for Wednesday, October 15, to gather input that will shape the area's conservation easement, a legal agreement that will permanently define its use.
Key Takeaways
- Woodland Park is developing rules for the 120-acre Avenger Open Space.
- The property was acquired through a $500,000 state grant, $150,000 in city funds, and $90,000 in community donations.
- A public open house will be held on October 15 to gather feedback for a permanent conservation easement.
- The Teller Trail Team, a local non-profit, was instrumental in initiating the preservation effort.
Community Effort Secures 120-Acre Property
The preservation of the Avenger Open Space began as a grassroots initiative led by the Teller Trail Team, a local non-profit organization. The 120-acre parcel, a historic mining claim, is completely surrounded by National Forest land, leading many residents to believe it was already public property.
Chris Gonzales, founder of the Teller Trail Team, explained the situation that spurred his group to action. “Avenger is an interesting parcel because it's actually a historic mining claim, so it's fully surrounded by National Forest,” Gonzales said. He noted that because the land had been inactive for so long, “the majority of people actually thought it was just National Forest.”
The sense of urgency arose when the land appeared for sale on the real estate website Zillow. “Saw it pop up on Zillow for sale, and shortly after that we started to see the private property signs show up,” Gonzales recalled. Recognizing the threat, the Teller Trail Team approached the Woodland Park City Council and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to propose a collaborative effort to save the land.
A Historic Mining Claim
The Avenger Open Space property is not undeveloped land but rather a historic mining claim. This unique status meant it was privately owned despite being geographically integrated with the surrounding National Forest, a fact unknown to many long-time users of the area's trails.
The proposal was met with enthusiasm from city officials who saw a unique chance to protect a beloved local area. Jeff Webb, Chair of the Woodland Park Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, described the board's reaction. “Parks Board said this is a, kind of once in a lifetime opportunity to try to preserve this land,” Webb stated.
Funding a 'Once in a Lifetime Opportunity'
Acquiring the property presented a significant financial challenge for the small mountain town. The city did not have a dedicated budget for such a large land purchase, making the acquisition seem unlikely at first.
To overcome this hurdle, the city and its partners developed a multi-pronged funding strategy. A key component was an application for a grant from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), a state organization that invests a portion of lottery proceeds to preserve and enhance outdoor spaces.
Financing the Preservation
- GOCO Grant: $500,000
- City of Woodland Park: $150,000
- Community Donations: $90,000
- Total Funds Raised: $740,000
The grant application was successful, securing $500,000 for the project. According to officials, the process was remarkably swift. “We were able to get $500,000 from GOCO and that whole grant process took about six months. Oftentimes these are years in the planning,” one project leader noted.
In addition to the state grant, the City of Woodland Park committed $150,000 to the purchase. The final piece of the financial puzzle came directly from the community. A fundraising campaign rallied local residents and supporters, who contributed a total of $90,000 in donations.
“Speaks to the desire the community has for this project, and so those people that donated money, all the people that took an interest, they feel like this is their’s, as they should,” said Jeff Webb.
Defining the Future Through a Conservation Easement
With the land now secured, the next critical step is to create a conservation easement. This legal document will establish permanent regulations for the Avenger Open Space, dictating what activities are permitted and prohibited on the property for generations to come.
The decisions made during this phase will have long-lasting implications. Jeff Webb emphasized the importance of public participation in this process, using a specific example to illustrate the permanence of the rules.
“For example, if the conservation easement said we don't want to allow e-bikes, 30 years from now we still can't allow e-bikes,” Webb explained. “So it's a really important opportunity for people to weigh in.”
The conservation easement will address a range of potential uses, including trail development, types of recreational activities allowed, and measures to protect the natural habitat. The input from residents will directly influence the final language of this binding agreement.
Public Invited to Shape Open Space Rules
To facilitate public involvement, the Woodland Park Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is hosting an open house. This event provides a formal venue for residents to learn more about the conservation easement process and share their vision for the future of the Avenger Open Space.
Event Details:
- What: Avenger Open Space Public Open House
- When: Wednesday, October 15, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Where: Ute Pass Cultural Center
City leaders and parks officials encourage all interested community members to attend the event. The feedback gathered will be instrumental in drafting the rules that will govern the 120-acre property, ensuring it reflects the values and desires of the community that worked to preserve it.