COLORADO SPRINGS — Tuesday, the Colorado Springs City Council voted unanimously to approve the acquisition of more than 340 acres of open space properties near the Cedar Heights and Oak Valley Ranch neighborhoods.
The acquisitions include two properties, which are currently owned by Castle Concrete.
The two properties are:
· Black Canyon Quarry, which is approximately 193 acres of property adjacent to Williams Canyon and located to the west of the Cedar Heights neighborhood and Garden of the Gods Park. The quarry has been closed since 2015 and reclamation is largely complete. From a regional perspective, this property offers future potential to provide trail access to the Pike National Forest’s Waldo Canyon area, the city said. The U.S. Forest Service is currently engaged in an ongoing public planning process to reimagine Waldo Canyon [waldocanyonplanning.com].
· A 148-acre frontage property of the Pikeview Quarry, which features rolling hills and oak brush. It’s located immediately south of Blodgett Open Space and west of Allegheny Drive and the Oak Valley Ranch neighborhood.
The city said that in addition to these two properties, the 100-acre Pikeview Quarry could be acquired as a donation from Castle Concrete at a later date and on condition of state approval of physical reclamation and at the city’s sole discretion.
A statement from the city said the next step is a second reading at City Council on June 23 to approve funding the acquisitions. Also, the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board will consider a proposed amendment to the Pikeview Quarry reclamation plan on June 24. The acquisitions of the properties are contingent on these approval, the city said.
“These properties are incredibly valuable and important assets for our city,” said Britt Haley, design and development manager for the City of Colorado Springs. “These open spaces will conserve the western backdrop of our skyline, provide continued protection of wildlife habitat, offer incredible views and allow for the discussion of fascinating possibilities for future recreation.”
Find more information here.
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