Colorado Springs receives $1.4 million grant to connect families with the outdoors

The Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) board awarded a $1.4 million grant to the City of Colorado Springs.

The grant is a part of GOCO’s Inspire Initiative, which aims to connect families to the great outdoors.

Part of the grant is also going to Out the Door! Pikes Peak coalition, an organization that addresses barriers keeping youth from getting outside. Out the Door will help the Hillside neighborhood.

Approximately half of GOCO Inspire grant will be used to make improvements to Prospect Lake Nature District at Memorial Park.

The Prospect Lake Beach House will be renovated to serve as a launching area for outdoor activities and include an information center and gear library.

At Fountain Park, a bike park will be built to include a paved skills course.

Outdoor education will be integrated into School District 11 and the Prospect Lake Beach House and Hillside Community Center will serve as programming hubs.

Out the Door plans to create 30 youth and community job opportunities and impact more than 3,800 youth through these improvements and programming plans.