Parking, safety among key issues discussed at Incline forum
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- Created on Friday, 25 June 2010 04:31
- Written by Nathan
By EMERY COWAN, THE GAZETTE
Local residents and more than a few Incline aficionados were presented with a timeline stretching into 2011 for the opening of the Manitou Incline at a public forum on Thursday night.
The forum was the first in a multistep process to develop a plan that will provide a long-term solution for the trail that has been 10 years in the making.
Hikers weigh in on future of Incline.
The research and design development process is funded by a $70,500 grant from Great Outdoors Colorado and a $25,000 donation from the Hill Family Foundation.
After presenting background information and a timeline for the development of a management plan, Manitou Springs Councilwoman Aimee Cox, the project manager for Incline Management Plan and a senior analyst for the Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department, and Manitou Springs Planning Director Dan Folke opened up the meeting to group discussion.
Photos from the meeting.
More than 100 people gathered in small groups to hash out the most pressing issues.
Parking was a top concern for most forum participants. Several groups suggested a shuttle service that would shift parking congestion into lots around Manitou Springs. Some also suggested promoting biking to the trailhead.
One group of Manitou residents advocated charging for access to the trail, through a daily fee or a membership. They were concerned that the trail was being overrun with people.
“I don’t even do the Incline anymore because of all of these issues,” said Christi Mayfield. “It’s just not fun anymore.”
Forum participants were also concerned with the safety of the trail. People wanted more access points so hikers who underestimated the challenge of the trail could bail out sooner and people would have somewhere else to park.
After Thursday’s forum, organizers will take the public feedback back to the Incline Task Force, a group of residents, property owners and city officials charged with helping create a final development plan for the trail.
The task force will work with several groups of developers to create design alternatives that will be presented at another public forum in October.
A final design will likely be presented to property owners and the Colorado Springs City Council in February or March.
The completion date is one that can’t come soon enough for Colorado Springs Councilman Scott Hente, who has been working to open the Incline to the public for 5 years.
“From the day I started working on this, I’ve been frustrated with the timeline,” he said. “All I want is to cut the ribbon to that trail.”
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