Stratton Open Space

Stratton Open Space – Volunteer Work Sessions – starting May 22, 2022 (Sunday 8-10 AM) and on the following Sunday mornings: — May 22 (Sunday 8-10 AM)— June 5 (Sunday 8-10 AM)— June 19 (Sunday 8-10 AM)— July 3 (Sunday 8-10 AM)— July 17 (Sunday 8-10 AM)— July 31 (Sunday 8-10 AM)— August 14 (Sunday 8-10 AM)— August 28 (Sunday 8-10 AM)— September 11 (Sunday 8-10 AM)— September 25 (Sunday 8-10 AM)— October 9 (Sunday 8-10 AM)— October 23 (Sunday 8-10 AM) Event Description: Come join us at Stratton Open Space to do some trail restoration, noxious weed removals, and other needed projects. Sign up throughRead More →

The Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services department is hosting a bioblitz Friday-Sunday, Aug. 27-29, in Stratton Open Space. Free and open to the public, the event is focused on finding as many species as possible to create a biological census of the area. There will also be guided hikes and family-friendly activity booths set up in the Ridgeway Trailhead parking lot where participants can learn more about the local scientific community, plus wildlife and plants in the Pikes Peak region. If a guided hike isn’t for you, but you still want to participate in the bioblitz, simply download the iNaturalist app and noteRead More →

A BioBlitz is an event that focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time. At a BioBlitz, scientists, families, students, teachers, and other community members work together to get a snapshot of an area’s biodiversity. These events can happen in most any geography—urban, rural, or suburban—in areas as small as a backyard or as large as a country. A BioBlitz is an intense period of biological surveying in an attempt to record all the living species within a designated area. Groups of scientists, naturalists and volunteers conduct an intensive field study over a continuous time period (e.g., usually 24 hours).  iNaturalist (a freeRead More →

Wed. June 30 — 5:30 – 7:30 PM Wed. July 7 — 5:30 – 7:30 PM;Wed. August 4 — 5:30 – 7:30 PM;Wed. August 16 — 5:30 – 7:30 PM. To learn more about these projects: what to bring – what we’ll be working on – where to meet up, go to Park & Rec. Dept. CERVIS portal. That is where you will register. Park & Rec. CERVIS volunteer portal: https://www.cervistech.com/acts/console.php?console_id=0132&console_type=event_list&res_code=9UZZvS&ht=1 If you have any suggestions for work projects on Stratton Open Space property – – please email them to me: alan.higbie@gmail.comRead More →

Trail Realignments – Nearing Completion Originally, the “trails” on the Stratton property were made by horses wandering around and making their own paths over what eventually became the Stratton Open Space.  Many of those paths were through watercourses which eventually became deep ruts, washed out and became unsustainable.  After public input, in 2016 the Parks Department published the Stratton Open Space  Management.  In 2018 the Stratton Open Space was included in the North Cheyenne Cañon Master and Management Plan.   Beginning in 2019, Parks Department staff has been implementing plans to change the trail alignments and close off rogue / social trails. The first majorRead More →

Stratton Springs Path upgrading and re-routing work has already started.  Should be completed by the middle of November.  Ridge Trail  between the Ponderosa Trail to the Chamberlin Trail, just north of the South Suburban Reservoir will be rerouted for an improved sustainable trail. The work begins on Monday, October 12th – will be completed in early November. Upper Meadows Loop will receive maintenance and some re-routing. This work should start later this fall and will be completed by the Spring. Stratton’s new signs and maps — Installation of upgraded trail signs and maps will be completed by early Spring of 2021.Read More →

Event Description: Come join the Friends of Stratton Open Space as we continue our Thursday afternoon volunteer work sessions! We will be buttoning up few projects from last season while practicing social distancing! Please wear closed-toed shoes, bring work gloves, sunscreen, water, snacks and something to cover your mouth and nose with (bandanna, buff, etc.). Meet up location is at the trail head at Stratton Open Space; Ridgeway lot. From there we will be dividing up into teams to accomplish our goals. Event Date/Time:Thu, Oct 15, 2020 – 4:00 PM to 6:00 PMVolunteers Needed:8   Event Meeting Location:Stratton Open Space; Ridgeway Lot Trailhead Event Organizer:Joshua Joyner – TOPS Ranger forRead More →

Upcoming trail improvements in Stratton (by contractors) This fall the Parks Dept. will have contractors undertake several trail projects:  – – – Stratton Springs Path will be upgraded and otherwise maintained. The work should be done soon. – – – The Ridge Trail will receive maintenance work probably completed by January / February. – – – Upper Meadows Loop will receive maintenance and some re-routing. This work will hopefully be completed by January / February.  Other Trail Work Sessions for VolunteersEvery other Thursday PM, Ranger Josh Joyner will be leading volunteer work sessions on projects at Stratton. The schedule is listed at https://coloradosprings.gov/parks-recreation-and-cultural-services/page/volunteer-events-registration?mlid=4466  Stratton will soon have new signs and maps The CityRead More →

Event Description: Come join the Friends of Stratton Open Space for another Thursday night volunteer work sessions! We will continue buttoning up few projects from last season while practicing social distancing! Please wear closed-toed shoes, bring work gloves, sunscreen, water, snacks and something to cover your mouth and nose with (bandanna, buff, etc.). Meet up location is at the Ridgeway Lot Trailhead @ Stratton Open Space, 1602 Ridgeway. From there we will be dividing up into small teams to accomplish our goals.  For further info or questions:Email to Friends of Stratton Open Space:  strattonopenspace@gmail.comURL: www.strattonopenspace.org  You must register to participate in this event. All minors participating in the workday must turn in a hard copy ofRead More →

September 21 @ 8:00 am – 11:30 am Join the Friends of Stratton Open Space and TOPS Rangers to give back to Stratton Open Space by cleaning up Stratton Springs Path and also Wildflower Path. This volunteer project will include trail corridor clearing, rogue trail closing, invasive species eradication (Myrtle Spurge) and some re-vegetation. Work gloves will be available but are limited in supply; please bring your own work gloves if you have a pair. All other tools will be provided. Make sure to dress for the weather and bring plenty of water. Meet at the La Veta trailhead parking lot. The event will run from Saturday (9-21-19)Read More →