Colorado Springs seeks public input on parks

It’s something the Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Department does only once a decade — asks for public feedback in updating its master plan for parks, trails and open space.

A public meeting on the plan is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the City Auditorium downtown.

The city uses the plan as a guide for planning, managing and paying for park resources. The plan was last updated in 2000.

Chris Lieber, the department’s development manager, said the previous plan acquired large areas of open space, built 15 new parks, and brought a skateboard park to Memorial Park. However, he said goals of developing larger community parks and sports complexes weren’t met.

“We asked folks in a survey, what are some of the things you feel we don’t have enough of?”, Lieber said. “Community gardens came out at the top of the list. We also heard places to fish, desire for winter sports. Those were some of the topics that I think perhaps surprised us a little bit.”

Lieber said residents also want to see more connections between trails and open space, and for the city to better maintain existing park resources.