NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION

June 7, 2010 Julie Smith

Public Communications Specialist

(719) 385-5256

Public workshop on the future of Manitou Incline

The City of Colorado Springs and the City of Manitou Springs are leading a public process to explore the feasibility of opening the Manitou Incline for legal, public recreation and to develop a management plan that will guide future decision-making regarding recreational use. Community members interested in the future of recreation at the Manitou Incline will have an opportunity to learn more and provide input at a public workshop in Manitou Springs on Thursday, June 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Manitou Springs City Hall, 606 Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs, CO 80829.

The Manitou Incline is posted "no trespassing" and hiking there is illegal, yet it has become one of the most popular trails in the region. On-going prohibited use has resulted in dangerous trail conditions, traffic congestion and uncontrolled parking that puts the safety of users as well as neighboring residents at risk.

Participants in the workshop will have the opportunity to identify critical issues and provide input into the types of solutions they would like to see related to parking and traffic, trail and trailhead design and operations and management. Tapis Associates has been hired to prepare the plan and has assembled a team of consultants that includes: Wilson & Company, Loris and Associates, ERO Resources, GreenPlay, LLC, and Kezziah Watkins. Representatives from the consultant team will facilitate the meeting; Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs city staff will also be on hand to answer questions.

The following additional public meetings will be hosted in July at Manitou Springs City Hall.

·  July 13th – Traffic and Parking Focus Area Session, 6 – 9 p.m.

·  July 14th – Trails and Trailhead Focus Area Session, 6 – 9 p.m.

·  July 15th – Management and Operations Focus Area Session, 6 – 9 p.m..

The planning process is funded by Great Outdoors Colorado and the Hill Family Foundation. The final plan will be presented to the Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs City Councils in February 2011.

For more information, please contact Aimee Cox at 719-385-6532 or .

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