A reminder to attend the Broadmoor Land Swap Meeting on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 6 - 8 pm Gold Camp Elementary School 1805 Preserve Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 Your attendance is encouraged. Be heard! Every voice matters. So many great questions came from different letters or public posts - here are a few of the best ones we have seen: 1. Where did the appraisal numbers being published, circulated and used as justification for support come from? Who paid for them? Since they are being used, how can the public get a copy of that data? 2. Aside from the obviously justified position of protecting historic open spaces as the primary and ultimate reason for opposing this swap, shouldn't one wait for independent appraisals which can be examined before making claims about the merits of this proposal? 3. Regardless of appraisals, what precedents are set by privatizing historic open space that has been protected by the public for 120 years -- it's a huge piece of Cheyenne Canon park -- a rather significant park in our State and Nation? 4. Zoning, Deeds, Conservation Easements and First Right of Refusals: All of these tools are subject to amendments are termination. Are you comfortable leaving the fate of the land up to the interpretation of legal language? Use Google Scholar and Google to do you own research. Or, see previous posts on this petition which offer a few sources for you. 5. Let's assume the use of the tools in point 4 are ironclad (read the plethora of articles/case law on this topic and keep in mind most changes don't make it to court), why would a for-profit entity want land that they cannot develop? 6. Some individuals and groups are arguing Strawberry Fields is a fire hazard and filled with trash including discarded refrigerators (plural). Below is a photo album that speaks volumes about the health and beauty of this land. If it were such a dump, why would anyone want it? Walk the area by Old Stage Road which is where this would likely be and look for yourself. For two years, the eastern plateau of Strawberry Fields has lost many old, giant trees due to a fire mitigation program conducted by the city -- so, how does that sit with the fire hazard claims? It's arguably one of the healthiest parts of the park. On the contrary, wouldn't more commercial activity in the area pose a greater risk in this regard? 7. Why did we pass TOPS? Shouldn't we use this money we have so generously agreed to give the city to purchase the parcels needed, independently, without having to trade iconic open space which is home to a thriving wildlife community? 8. To groups worried about the Incline, we can achieve those goals another way. If the roles were reversed, wouldn't they also agree that cannibalizing one park for another sets a bad precedent, and we should work together to protect all parks? 9. What is the recreational value of the land beyond Muscoco which is what is being traded? Have you tried to hike it? Many have and can't. It's very steep terrain. Strawberry Fields is a popular picnic destination which is enjoyed by the young and more physically challenged. 10. The Nature Conservancy co-sponsored a biodiversity study of the Cheyenne Canon area. It needs updating, but their research places this park at high biodiversity similar to Pike Forest -- with concerns raised about traffic on some trails. Since this parcel has been relatively quiet for the last 120 years, wouldn't it stand to reason that the area is even higher in biodiversity? The wildlife sitings there are much more abundant than the heavier traveled trails in the park. Shouldn't we answer that question with environmental impact studies before this is even considered? 11. What's the rush? Isn't it wiser to start over and find a solution for the trail goals which don't require privatizing open space? Ask the city to hold public discussions with the stakeholders which we can hear their thoughts on the numerous suggestions like donating the undevelopable land to the city? Using TOPS, etc.... Bonus question: Would we allow Hilton to take a piece of Maroon Bells? Are there any terms under which one can be comfortable privatizing such historic and iconic open space which is home to a thriving wildlife population?