City to close on Section 16 purchase today
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- Created on Tuesday, 07 December 2010 18:54
- Written by Dena Rosenberry
I took this photo looking toward Section 16 from Red Rock Canyon Open Space. / Dena
Colorado Springs officials say they'll close on the purchase of Manitou Section 16 today, formally adding the 640 acres to the city’s network of parks, trails and open spaces.
Note: An informal reception with supporters and partners is scheduled 5 - 7 p.m. today at Kinfolks, 950 Manitou Ave.
The Palmer Land Trust will close on a deed of conservation easement on the property, guaranteeing the protection of Section 16 as open space in perpetuity.
The city’s lease on the property was set to expire Dec. 31.
“Section 16 is a key parcel in our beautiful mountain backdrop and is well-loved by the residents and voters of Colorado Springs,” Mayor Lionel Rivera said.
The land, held in trust by the Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners, has been leased since 1972, first by El Paso County then the city. The city bought the $3.8m property using TOPS money (the voter-approved .1% sales and use tax for trails, open space and parks) and a $1m grant from Great Outdoors Colorado awarded to the City in 2007. GOCO awarded $200,000 to the City in 2004 to fund the current property lease.
El Paso County, Manitou Springs, Trails and Open Space Coalition, and the Intemann Trail Committee also contributed money to the acquisition. The Palmer Land Trust raised an additional $40,000 to put the property under conservation easement and preserve it as open space in perpetuity.
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