Rainbow Falls granted lottery money to kick start cleanup
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- Created on Wednesday, 19 January 2011 00:18
- Written by Dena Rosenberry
By DEBBIE KELLEY, THE GAZETTE
About $65,000 in funding has been secured to begin restoring Rainbow Falls, Tim Wolken, director of El Paso County’s community services department, said at Tuesday’s county commission meeting.
The historic landmark west of Manitou Springs used to rival any scenic attraction in the Pikes Peak region. But in recent years, the area has become a haven for crime and has earned the nickname “Graffiti Falls.”
Check out a photo gallery from member Michael Roberts
After the county acquired the site from a private owner in July, a movement to turn it into a community park has been under way. Now, about a dozen groups are involved, Wolken said.
The county has received a grant of nearly $42,000 from lottery proceeds through Great Outdoors Colorado, Wolken said. The grant includes local matching funds of about $6,700 in regional park fees and about $9,800 in county staff support. Commissioners approved the revenue Tuesday.
The money will be used to improve the parking lot, enhance trails, build picnic areas, fix stream bank problems and remove graffiti.
Commissioner Sallie Clark said she would like to see art integrated into the area. Clark has advocated for restoration of the falls since 2004, when she was first elected to represent District 3, where the falls and adjacent park area are located.
The project was allotted about $16,000 in a community development block grant in December, to pay for security cameras.
“It’ll get us off to a good start,” Wolken said. “We’ll see some nice changes this year.”
Work will begin after a master plan is completed in March, Wolken said.
Residents can fill out a survey regarding the future of Rainbow Falls at www.trailsandopenspaces.org.
Wolken said 155 people have completed the survey.
(Photo by Christian Murdock, The Gazette)
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