We apologize for taking so long to post, but it took lots of collaboration to try and get our arms around this one. We also apologize for the lengthy post, but, once again, they have made this a very complicated process. First, the meeting opened with the announcement that the 4 proposals they presented were not getting much support and, therefore, they would not be pursuing any single one. However, as the evening went on and "shuttle stops" were seen on maps, it became clear that the buses are still on the table. When asked, the answer was that buses are still in their "toolbox" and may be implemented. When asked how we get the buses out of the toolbox, we were told that might happen at the next meeting in March. SO KEEP SHARING AND ASKING YOUR FRIENDS TO SIGN THE PETITION AND SHARE IT. IT MATTERS. WE HAVE VERY FEW MEANS ON THIS ONE. ONLY MASSIVE OUTRAGE WILL STOP THE BUSES. For the rest of the overview, please refer to this map that they taped to the tables and would not hand out to anyone saying it was on the website. It still is not, but we were able to get a copy finally around 4pm today. This map includes all of the trail changes. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uqWYT9caqYN70STQ4FdTour73Acgwuuu/view?usp=sharing 1. Gentrification of the canyon: Beyond the buses, the most disturbing aspect of the plans still on the table is the total reconfiguration of the South Cheyenne Canon loop giving a road, Mesa Avenue, between 7 Falls and Evans to the Broadmoor to create a private, gated entrance and turn around for their 7 Falls buses. Additionally, they want to close the road between Starsmore and 7 Falls which is also heavily used in the summer by low socio-economic income families to picnic. Intended or not, the outcome is a gentrification of the area which will drive these families away. Even if they keep the picnic tables (which can be removed with no notifications at any point in the future), families will be forced to park and haul all their strollers, picnic supplies, coolers across trails to a picnic table. Hardly seems appropriate much less fair that the Broadmoor guests get to ride in style to their destination, but these families who have since the picnic tables were installed been able to drive and park and freely and conveniently picnic are now denied that. When asked why, in the face of all these purported traffic congestion problems, they are taking actions that are counter intuitive in closing roads, reducing the number of turn off parking stops in the canyon from 42 to 12, and forcing people into a smaller area while also wanting to increase people traffic by implementing buses, they had no answer for that. Combined with the significant changes made to the building envelope which now has the Broadmoor party venue and horse stables covering a much larger surface of Mesa Avenue, this creates and even bigger barrier to accessing the perimeter trails on Strawberry Fields. People will feel unwelcome as it will look all privately owned by a business which serves elite clientele. 2. Closing the Mesa Family Picnic/Wedding Pavilion (above Starsmore): We learned today that the "Interpretive Area" on the map which is, essentially the picnic/family/wedding pavilion area above Starsmore, is intended to be closed. All the social trails and, it appears, the pavilion as well will be destroyed, because they have recently hired an archaeologist who says that are is significant in that it was likely used for camping. No arrowheads, pieces of bowls, utensils....not even impressions in the ground were found. She just is of the opinion that the topography suggests it was used for camping. So, they want to reclaim the social trails and preserve it. You also happen to get a great view into the bottom of Strawberry from there and sound from parties there could possibly resonate into the Bmoor picnics and ponies operations not to mention people have been hiking there for the last 120 plus years....go ahead an laugh. When asked about the likelihood that this likely means Strawberry is also of significance given the rare meadow and topography, it was agreed that was possible, but the archaeologist never looked at it. AND, what about the fact that last week they were willing to pave it and turn it into a parking lot and bus load/unload area? Let us know if you can reconcile those inconsistencies. We cannot. 3. They say that the park closure at night is a given based upon feedback from an online survey about vandalism. Today, we were informed that several signs in the canyon were "tagged" meaning with graffiti, last week. We were all quite surprised by the timing of such an occurrence as none of us have seen a vandalism problem. Regardless, closing the park at night will only serve to encourage more as there will be no cars driving by to interrupt such activities. We suggested the best solution is to hire several park police to patrol the area. One could get a team of several plus a patrol car for a fraction of the outrageous expenditures they have proposed with busing, paving, tearing down pavilions, etc....they indicated today that they do intend to hire park police. Then, you should ask, why do we need to close the park at night to full moon/solstice hikers? 4. At this point, it is very unclear what will be proposed in March. However, we do know that the petition growing and YOUR VOICES are critical in impacting the outcome. They are basing most of their assertions on small, unscientific online survey.....now that the public is more informed, it is time to put it in writing. We strongly suggest you continue to share petition and ask friends to sign and share it, several times and the way facebook works is that not all of your followers will see every post -- email it -- text it. And, we strongly recommend an email to Mayor John Suthers copying the City Council, the press and the Sierra Club. You are free to express whatever your wishes but for those who want a short and sweet guideline, we recommend hitting these items: 1. Buses: No to buses - ever. Full lots mean full trails. It is a natural park protection. We should not crowd the park on the three busy holiday weekends over the summer. If it is full, people can find something else to do. 2. Roads: No to giving the Broadmoor a road or closing the road between Starsmore and 7 Falls. They can create a bus turn around on their land inside their gate at 7 Falls, and should they end up with Strawberry Fields, on their land at Strawberry Fields. It displaces low income families who heavily use those picnic areas all summer long. Further, it exacerbate traffic issues eliminating a natural dispersement of cars and people. 3. Pavilion above Starsmore: No to tearing down the family picnic and wedding pavilion above Starsmore and no to reclaiming trails under the guise of being archaeologically significant. Just a week ago, they were paving that all for a parking lot and buses to unload/load. How on earth can that be used now to keep people way especially with no artifacts or land indentations of any kind existing not to mention it has been used by hikers for the last 120 years. 4. Vandalism/Shenanigans: Use park police to address any "shenanigans" that go on in the park and park rangers to parking tickets. 5. Parking: Leave all the pull outs (42) in place. Again, why would you take actions which create more parking/traffic issues? Just because there is not a trailhead there, does not mean it cannot be a natural place to stop and enjoy the park or park to walk to a trailhead. Expand parking where it is naturally allowable. 6. No to theme park additions: Things like gondolas, hanging walkways, (ferris wheels and merry go rounds -- kidding they did not suggest it, but might as well given where we are heading) create an less natural atmosphere in the park. Email: jsuthers@springsgov.com, and for transparency, cc: AllCouncil@springsgov.com, savecheyennemountain@gmail.com, zubeck@csindy.com, krdonews@krdo.com, mike.rausch@krdo.com, news@kktv.com, lmartin@kktv.com, news@koaa.com, kduffy@koaa.com, news@fox21news.com, jcole@kxrm.com, jpaul@denverpost.com, info@krcc.com, jalexee@sierraclub.org Have a lovely bus-free and toll-free weekend!