Fishers Canyon Open Space

Overview

Join the community as we engage in a public planning process to imagine the future of Fishers Canyon Open Space located in southwest Colorado Springs. This planning process seeks to develop a set of recommendations that reflects the vision of the community while simultaneously considering opportunities for outdoor recreation, access, safety, watershed and wildlife habitat protection, restoration, and trail connectivity.  

Trail Alternatives

Planners have developed two Trail Alternatives based upon community feedback and the sustainable trails framework. Physically challenging trails, accessible trails, the Chamberlain Trail, potential connections to Cheyenne Mountain State Park, picnic areas and access to rock climbing are opportunities identified on the two alternatives. 

Trails alternative 1

Focuses on the eastern portion of the site, preserving approximately 200 acres (58%). It proposes 5 to 6 miles of multi-use trails, including a paved, accessible half-mile loop and 6 trail node connections. In response to neighborhood feedback, there is also a future potential off-site access and parking north of the site at a future potential location near Cheyenne Mountain Highway.

Trails alternative 2

Preserves roughly 160 acres (46%) and offers a more extensive multi-use trail system of 10 to 11 miles, with 15 trail node connections. It includes the same paved, accessible trail and the Chamberlain Trail connection, but adds a one-mile soft-surface loop and potential seasonal rock-climbing areas. A new trail called Fishers Canyon Trail is also introduced in this alternative. This would be a hiking only trail that doesn't allow dogs but would provide seasonal access to higher parts of the site including those potential rock-climbing areas. There is also a potential off-site parking access that would connect future visitors to Fishers Canyon through a rugged trail from Cheyenne Mountain State Park. 

Parking Alternatives

Planners have developed two Parking Alternatives based upon community and neighborhood feedback, sustainable planning and scientific site surveys. The two alternatives show potential locations and a range in the number of parking spaces.

Trailhead Parking alternative 1

Presents two parking areas. The northern route takes visitors to an accessible parking lot adjacent the paved accessible trail and soft-surface, low-slope trail. The southwest road takes visitors to a one-way parking loop with a trailhead. Parking is envisioned to be adaptive to use. This plan starts with 33 parking spots and is expandable to 77, focusing on day-use access while minimizing street parking concerns.

Trailhead Parking alternative 2

All elements of this alternative are the same as alternative 1, except the adaptive parking range in this alternative proposes an initial 69 spots with a possible future expansion up to 110 spots. 

Both alternatives propose trailhead permissible uses including restrooms, waste receptacles, signage kiosks, picnic tables and benches. The current online survey asks the community to weigh in on their comfort range for these two parking alternatives.

Community Survey #3

The third community survey is now open through Sunday, Dec. 15^th.  Through the link below you will be able to see a video presentation from the second public meeting on November 19^th, the trails and trailhead parking alternatives, as well as the survey. Thank you for providing your feedback.

Take the Survey

Get Involved 

Join us for our upcoming meetings for an opportunity to share your thoughts, ask questions and collaborate with project managers, residents and stakeholders. Your input is invaluable as we stive to create a plan that balances recreation and conservation in Fishers Canyon.

Open House:

• Date: Wednesday, Jan. 22 
• Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. 
• Location: Cheyenne Mountain Junior High School (1200 W. Cheyenne Road)

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the City of Colorado Springs will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities. Should you require an auxiliary aid and/or service to participate in an upcoming meeting, please submit your request as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Residents may submit requests for accommodations by emailing cassie.melvin@coloradosprings.gov or calling the Communications Office at 719-385-5447. Dial 711 or 800-659-3656 for Relay Colorado. 

Visit the Public Engagement Tab to catch up on all the engagement to date including meeting summaries, presentations, and more