Opponents appeal master plan for Colorado Springs' Blodgett Open Space

Following approvals from Colorado Springs' parks board and the committee overseeing trails and open space spending, the fight continues against a master plan more than a year in the making.

Regarding the 108-page document outlining future development and management of an expanded Blodgett Open Space on the city's northwest side, only one "no" vote came between the parks board and the city's Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) working committee. Those are the two bodies typically responsible for deciding on such plans. Now opponents have filed an appeal, pushing the final say to City Council.

A city spokesperson said a hearing would likely come June 10. Council would presumably vote that day on the master plan, which calls for new parking lots, a new trail system, two launch points for paragliding and strategies for fire mitigation, security and conservation.

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The plan "replaces a thorough and scientific preservation-based master plan with a recreation-based master plan," reads the appeal, referring to Blodgett's previous plan from 2002.

Since then the open space's size has more than doubled with city acquisitions over the years, now totaling 384 acres. Officials say they've been guided by a 2014 master plan for the entire parks system, which — like meetings with the public regarding Blodgett over the past 15 months, they say — identified the need for preserving the city's mountain backdrop, spreading out recreation and serving various interests, including mountain biking.

The appeal criticizes Blodgett's master plan as having "an appearance that special interest steered the decision-making process, resulting in a plan which favors a limited demographic."

Proponents say the proposed trail network's 2.3 miles dedicated to downhill mountain biking represent a win-win for cyclists and people on foot trying to avoid conflicts. Hikers would have 1.5 miles for themselves and 10.4 miles of shared use.

In response to opponents who see the network as a threat to the area's bighorn sheep, planners have pointed to designated "wildlife corridors" and coordination with experts (Colorado Parks and Wildlife has committed a $250,000 grant toward initial trail build-out). Planners say a "sustainable trail system," one that calls for closures to many user-made paths over the years, would aim to keep recreation away from the sheep.

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Opponents, meanwhile, foresee a proliferation of unsanctioned, biker-made trails and an open invitation in the proposed Quarry Trailhead parking lot. It's initially to be built for 50 cars and serve as the portal for the mountain biking network.

"The time is now or the opportunity for preservation will be lost forever," said Dorothy Macnak, author of an online petition that has garnered more than 1,160 signatures since early April.

A petition came with a similar appeal against North Cheyenne Cañon Park's master plan in 2018. City Council ended up denying that appeal.

Along with paragliding — said to be plotted in coordination with the Air Force Academy — and the potential for a "world-class" bike park that's been floated for the under-reclamation Pikeview Quarry above, neighbors have expressed fears of Blodgett becoming a "theme park." (The bike park would depend on the success of that reclamation and a separate planning process, officials have emphasized.)

"It's not a case of 'not in our backyard,'" said Renee Bendrick, a resident of the Peregrine neighborhood. "This is about future generations. If we lose this now, this whole area is going to turn into a massive recreational site."

Another critic, Kerri Waite, called the plan "a monster" at a TOPS working committee meeting. She and others recalled evacuation nightmares during the 2012 Waldo Canyon fire.

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"I think everybody has PTSD," Bendrick said. The idea of more traffic from a recreation destination adds to that, she said.

The plan calls for thinning woods across the space.

"A healthy, maintained, and mitigated forest can lessen the risk of wildfires, lessen the spread and growth of fires and provide added firefighter safety attacking a fire," said David Deitemeyer, who has overseen planning for city parks. 

Deitemeyer's team has been criticized for a "deeply flawed citizen input process" that "didn't present to citizens all possible options" and "disregarded citizen evidence/input," as the appeal form reads.

Parks Director Britt Haley cited several adjustments to the plan over 15 months of surveys and public meetings. "I am proud of the planning work and our team, and I am enthusiastic about the level of public participation we enjoyed," she said.

At parks board and TOPS committee votes, she heard members praise the process. That included Hank Scarangella, who backs the plan as a member of the TOPS committee and a Peregrine resident.

He considered Blodgett talks echoing recent controversies over annexation and apartment complexes across the city.

"The concern wasn't just about the master plan, but underlying that is what you see and hear from a lot of people," Scarangella said. "'What's happening to our city? What are we doing?'"