Trails and Open Spaces, a Volunteer-Based Organization That Gives Back

If you're in the Colorado Springs area, don't miss the opportunity to get involved with this great org. And if not, read on to get inspired to find an org like this—or start one—in your community.

Photo by Matt Antonioli on Unsplash

Colorado is an outdoor playground full of trails, parks, and open spaces nestled into mountain landscapes. In Colorado Springs, one organization has become an integral part of the community by working hard to advocate, support, and implement the creation and conservation of their trails and open spaces. 

It Starts With Passion

Trails & Open Spaces is a non-profit, created in 1987 to preserve trails, parks, and open spaces in and around the Colorado Springs area. It began as many great organizations do—in a garage with a few passionate individuals who saw a need to provide outdoor access while protecting the trails and open spaces around them. 

Since then, it’s transformed into a thriving organization with five full-time staff members that provide resources, collaboration, and support to the local Colorado Springs community. Throughout the years, the organization has created and fostered an immense network of thoughtful volunteers—both individuals and businesses—willing to get their hands dirty and take care of their neighborhood. The organization currently has 25 “Friends Groups”—each group focuses on various volunteer tasks such as trail maintenance, trash pickup, painting picnic tables, state park cleanup, removing graffiti, and river cleanups. You name it, and they have a volunteer friend group for it.

Photo by Jay Williams on Unsplash

Pivoting to Meet the Community Need

Trails & Open Spaces initially focused on trail organization and planning but soon realized that trail implementation was the thing that was lacking. The need for funding was dire, and the mission of the organization began to transition. In 1997, Trails & Open Spaces helped put a program named TOPS (Trails, Open Spaces & Parks) on the city ballot, and it was enthusiastically passed by voters shortly afterward. The TOPS program created a 1 cent tax on every 10 dollars spent in the city of Colorado Springs. It might seem small, but it now accumulates to $10 million a year. Every penny goes back into the community and improves the quality of life for its residents and visitors by providing access to public spaces and beautiful trails. 

What parks can we thank the TOPS program for? Garden of the Gods Park, Red Rock Canyon Open Space, and the Manitou Incline, among others. In total, the program has contributed to the creation and preservation of 32 parks and 50 miles of urban trails. 

One of the organization’s pride and joys is the annual fall event, Creek Week. Volunteers from all over the region come together for this glorious nine-day river cleanup event. It’s organized by Fountain Creek Watershed and is the largest watershed cleanup in Colorado. In 2019, they had a total of 3,500 volunteers participate in Creek Week, removing a total of 200,000 pounds (100 tons) of litter from the waterways. 

Despite a reduction in volunteers due to COVID-19 restrictions this past year, they still held the annual event and had a turnout of 1,400 volunteers.

When asked how the organization has changed since its start in 1987, the Executive Director, Susan Davies laughs and says, "Well, we're a lot bigger now." The organization is now responsible for 927 square Miles, stewarding them by working with land managers, local governmental partners, businesses, local colleges, churches, and volunteers. 

Stepping Up During the Recreation Boom of COVID-19

Davies emphasizes that this last year was unique. The organization had to get creative to handle the increase in people recreating outside. "Certainly with COVID, the numbers have been startling...We are seeing such a huge jump in usage," she says. As the majority of the population headed outdoors this past year to find solace in nature, organizations like Trails & Open Spaces saw a tremendous increase in usage on trails, at parking lots, and in local parks. With increased usage and reduced volunteer opportunities, Davies states that "We've had some real challenges." 

One of the new programs added in 2020 was the Trail Ambassador Program, which puts boots on the ground at trailheads that need extra support. The Trails & Open Spaces Ambassadors spend the day at various trailheads to help answer questions and promote trail stewardship. 

Get Involved in a Cleanup

If you’re looking to spend a beautiful day outdoors by yourself, with a friend, or your entire family while giving back to your community, head on over to their website to sign up for an upcoming volunteer cleanup day. The April volunteer calendar is chock-full of fun cleanup events: Sand Creek Trail Cleanup, Monument Preserve Trail Maintenance, Pikes Peak Road Runners Trail Cleanup, and the Great American Cleanup. Davies highlights, "The need for these Friends Groups—and for this kind of stewardship—has never been more important.”

If you’re unable to sign up for one of April’s volunteer cleanups but still want to stay up-to-date on events and news, their Weekly Newsletter is full of helpful information. I’m signed up on their weekly email blast and looking forward to joining a trail cleanup this spring. Davies’ final thoughts? "There's no excuse for not getting involved.” I hope to see you all on the trail!

Trails & Open Spaces CleanUp Crew from Creek Week