The Trust for Public Land in Action: 2020 C E L E B R AT I N G W HAT YO U M A D E P O S S I B L E IN COLORADO, THE SOUTHWEST, AND BEYOND
Thank you so much for partnering with us in Colorado and the Southwest! Close-to-home parks, trails, and open spaces are vital to communities in today’s rapidly changing world.
Southeast neighborhood to revitalize Panorama Park and build the city’s first universally-accessible playground. Outside Tucson, Arizona, we are enhancing access to Saguaro National Park by adding a critical 84-acre property to the park, linking two key protected areas and providing a corridor for hiking trails and wildlife. And in New Mexico, we preserved a key property that provides new access to the Rio Pueblo de Taos, a tributary of the Rio Grande, and expands opportunities to explore a 500-foot deep canyon.
The coronavirus pandemic, its economic fallout, and the continued impact of systemic racism have caused unprecedented hardship. In these uncertain times, we are more grateful than ever for supporters like you.
At the heart of all of our work is a fundamental belief that every person deserves equitable access to the great outdoors, regardless of zip code, race, age, or income. As our communities reunite and we move forward together, we hope you will join us in a renewed commitment to our shared public lands, ensuring access for all to highquality outdoor experiences.
As we collectively wrestle with these challenges, cope with being physically isolated from each other, and adjust our daily routines, the importance of nature and spending time outdoors is more apparent than ever.
At The Trust for Public Land, we put community at the center of our powerful work to protect land and create parks for people. The impact of our mission is not only the creation of great parks, public lands, trails, and green schoolyards; it’s also the strengthening of the social, civic, personal, and emotional connections that allow our communities to thrive. Over the next five years, we aim to accelerate the transformative impact of our mission—reaching 300 communities through our work and improving the lives of 85 million people nationwide. We are finding opportunities in these challenging times, bringing parks, trails, and open spaces where they are needed most. In Colorado, we’re working with the City of Colorado Springs and the
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Access to great parks, open space, and other public lands transforms communities from the ground up, improving public health, advancing economic opportunities, mitigating the impacts of a changing climate, and connecting people to one another.
New Freedom Park Denver, CO
Saguaro National Park L I N K I N G S A G U A R O N AT I O N A L PA R K T O S W E E T W AT E R P R E S E R V E Saguaro National Park, located near Tucson, has over a million visitors each year. Park visitors can explore over 190 miles of trails across the Sonoran Desert’s beautiful landscape and marvel at the sprawling forests of giant saguaro cacti. In June 2020, we added 84 acres to Saguaro National Park, connecting it to Sweetwater Preserve. The property links the mountainous terrain to rolling hills and large washes that continue into the nearby Santa Cruz River. The preserve, an 880-acre county-owned open space, is known for 13 miles of interconnected hiking, mountain biking, trail running, and horseback riding trails. As Tucson grows, impacts from development and the spread of invasive species can be kept at bay thanks to this exciting addition to Saguaro National park—benefiting the saguaros, the animals that rely on them, and the millions of people who draw inspiration from the beautiful Sonoran Desert every year. Since 1993, The Trust
for Public Land has protected over 2,237 acres in and around Saguaro National Park, improving access and connectivity to Tucson’s big backyard. Funding to acquire the property was provided by the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
BIG NEWS FOR PUBLIC LANDS The Great American Outdoors Act is now law! That means full, permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). LWCF is one of the biggest sources of federal funding for parks and open space. This new law provides $900 million for LWCF every year. With stable, dedicated funding, we can create more parks where they’re needed most. Thank you to everyone who spoke up for LWCF. This is your victory!
ISTOCK USER TONDA
Saguaro National Park Pima County, AZ
Public lands for public good From national and state parks to national forests and community open spaces, our public lands reflect our cultural identities and histories. They offer a range of critical benefits including clean air and water, preservation of wildlife habitat, physical and mental well-being through recreation, and improved economic vitality.
of the steep-walled Rio Grande Gorge. At the end of a county road here, you will find a new addition to the RMA, with rugged terrain, large mesas, and chiseled steep canyons 800 feet deep. Now, the popular fishing spot will be more accessible, offering glimpses of the river otters and bighorn sheep who call the Rio Pueblo home.
F I S H E R S P E A K S TAT E PA R K In June, Governor Jared Polis officially designated Fishers Peak as Colorado’s 42nd State Park. This iconic property sits at the southern gateway to Colorado, just outside the historic town of Trinidad. It includes towering volcanic cliffs, forests, grasslands, wetlands, streams, and essential wildlife migration corridors. Now, we are working with a diverse coalition of stakeholders to develop a holistic master plan for the park that prioritizes natural resource conservation and creates world-class outdoor recreation amenities.
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE BUFFER The Trust for Public Land and the Department of Defense’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program (REPI) have secured more than $22 million worth of land in 11 parcels around Buckley Air Force Base. This highly sought-after area faces increasing pressure toward development. Yet, for more than a decade, we have created public open space with trails and other recreational opportunities, while also ensuring the base’s mission remains viable.
O R I L L A V E R D E R E C R E AT I O N MANAGEMENT AREA The Bureau of Land Management’s Orilla Verde Recreation Management Area (RMA) sits along the Rio Grande, just south of Taos, and includes part
The Department of Defense recognized this impressive set of protections by awarding The Trust for Public Land’s Hillary Merritt, senior project manager, the Commander’s Public Service Award from the Department of the Air Force and the Meritorious Service Medal from the State of Colorado Adjutant General.
CAMERON DAVIDSON
Fishers Peak
Las Animas County, CO
Powerful partnerships I N T E R V I E W W I T H M AY O R P H I L R I C O O F T R I N I D A D, C O L O R A D O
JOE COCA
entrepreneur, Jay Cimino, and I talked, and he asked, “Wouldn’t it be great if we could purchase some property on Fishers Peak?” This started what would be a dream come true for me. We initially considered purchasing 4,500 acres on the north side, but after contacting The Trust for Public Land and The Nature Conservancy, the Trinidad City Council approved the suggestion to purchase the entire 19,200 acres, big enough to catch the interest of Colorado Governor Jared Polis for an even larger purpose and impact.
Trinidad, Colorado Mayor Phil Rico is well known as a fierce champion of his historic, culturally rich city near the New Mexico border. He has made economic vitality through outdoor recreation a top priority. Today, Mayor Rico is working closely with The Trust for Public Land and other partners to create Fishers Peak State Park, just outside the city’s borders.
The Trust for Public Land seeks to put community at the center of its work. What does Fishers Peak State Park mean for the Trinidad community? Fishers Peak’s designation as Colorado’s 42nd state park will mean public access, new economic viability, and a sense of ownership for Trinidad. Tell us a bit about your connection to Fishers Peak. My wife Bea and I have known Evelyn Jung, the previous landowner, for about 25 years. The thought of public access was always on my mind for this iconic property, and in 2017, an opportunity arose. My friend and local Trinidad
What advice do you have for other communities interested in exploring conservation and outdoor recreation as components of their local economies? To start, you need to have a vision—don’t be afraid to dream big. Without risk, there is no benefit. Engage stakeholders and establish strong partnerships. You don’t have to do this alone. For opposing opinions: listen, remain open to dialogue, and find a common benefit. For example, this valuable resource will attract local and global use, creating a great economic gain for Trinidad and the surrounding areas. When the project has been accomplished, there will be increased connection within the community and to the project—whether it is a large landscape or community park.
“In short, Fishers Peak is a dream come true for me personally.” Phil Rico, mayor of Trinidad, Colorado
Colorado and Southwest Region
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Bonneville Shoreline Trail SALT LAKE CITY
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COM PLETED P ROJECTS Since 1972, The Trust for Public Land in Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah has completed 555 projects, including protecting 674,540 acres of working farmlands, ranches, forests, wildlife habitat, watersheds, and river corridors and creating parks, actively used open spaces, trails, playgrounds, gardens, nature play areas, Fitness Zone® areas, and public art.
UTAH
Arches National Pa Capitol Reef National Park
NEVADA
Canyonlands National Park
Zion National Park/Virgin River Watershed Bryce Canyon National Park Zion National Park
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Grand Canyon National Park
Canyon de Che National Monum
CALIFORNIA Verde River Watershed ARIZONA
Petrified Forest National Park
PHOENIX
Organ Pipe Catcus National Monument
July 30, 2020. Copyright © The Trust for Public Land. Information on this map is provided for purposes of discussion and visualization only. Land Ownership/Management Sources: COMaP, NCED, PADUS, BLM www.tpl.org
Sky Island Grasslands TUCSON
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The Trust for Public Land completed project
NEBRASKA
WYOMING
Program area National Park Service land Wilderness Other Federal, State, or private protected land
Dinosaur tional Monument
Front Range
Rocky Mountain National Park
Military land Tribal land
DENVER
Central Summits COLORADO
ark
COLORADO SPRINGS
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
KANSAS
Upper Arkansas River
San Juan Skyway
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Mesa Verde National Park
elly ment
EXICO
Upper Rio Grande Watershed
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
OKLAHOMA SANTA FE
ALBUQUERQUE El Malpais National Monument
Bernalillo County Agriculture and Open Space
NEW MEXICO
TEXAS
White Sands National Monument
LAS CRUCES
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
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Parks for people PA N O R A M A PA R K Our work on Panorama Park reaches far beyond merely building a park. The pandemic has challenged us in new ways to engage the residents of Southeast Colorado Springs. We have been able to gain critical input on all aspects of design, deepen our work with the Youth Advisory Council, and nearly double its number of leaders.
Parks provide communities with essential close-tohome outdoor experiences, strengthening social connections, and reinforcing community identity. Creating and revitalizing neighborhood parks drives important outcomes in our communities around health, climate, and equity.
During the pandemic, we have continued to work with the community to safely move several projects forward. For example, a collaborative mural project will allow families across Westwood to participate from their own homes. The local artist will then assemble the mural at the park.
As we near completion on the park’s design, we turn our attention to construction this winter. We will also facilitate important discussion around park safety, programming, and stewardship, and work with the neighborhood to develop community art projects. TP STAFF
C R E AT I V E P L A C E M A K I N G IN WESTWOOD Our work in Denver’s Westwood neighborhood continues with activities that celebrate the neighborhood’s vibrant culture and unique sense of place. In partnership with the community, we designed a culturally relevant and dynamic wayfinding plan that encourages residents to bike, walk, or roll to their local community destinations.
ROOT HOUSE STUDIO
Westwood Park Denver, CO
Community connection with trails Utilizing The Trust for Public Land’s full suite of services, our Community Trails experts will continue to build and grow partnerships with local governments, nonprofits, residents, and funders to realize the vision for more connected urban and rural environments. From neighborhood trails to national trails, local economies benefit from the value trails of to catalyze connections. Thoughtful, multi-use routes to food, education, and recreation resources will build stronger, healthier, and happier communities.
G I L A R I V E R L I N E A R PA R K AND TRAIL The Gila River flows through several small communities in Southeast Arizona, including the City of Safford and the Town of Thatcher. Currently, much of the river is in private ownership, which prevents public recreational access for residents. With local partners, we created a master plan for the Gila River Linear Park and Trail that will foster connections
between residents, visitors, and this underutilized natural resource.
NEIGHBORHOOD LOOP TRAILS, METRO DENVER We support the development of safe routes to schools, work, parks, healthcare facilities, and places to buy healthy foods. Our work on several Metro Denver trails focuses on safely connecting high-need communities to places fundamental to their health and vitality, including schools, grocery stores, libraries, and parks. The Westwood Via Verde is a 3-mile loop located in west Denver; improving access to community assets, including a library, five schools, a community center, and three neighborhood parks. The community’s priorities are climate resilience, health equity, and pedestrian safety. We’ve focused on those priorities here by creating a safe neighborhood network of parks, bikeways, green streets, and enhanced alleys.
TPL STAFF
The Westwood Via Verde
Denver, CO
Colorado & Southwest Advisory Board We are so grateful for our outstanding volunteer leaders! Jonathan Adelman, Xcel Energy Heidi Baskfield, Children’s Hospital Colorado Dennis Carruth, Carruth Company Steve Coffin, Steve Coffin Strategies Christopher Corroon, Axis Realty Group Dana Crawford, Urban Neighborhoods, Inc Kathryn Dudley, Community Volunteer Greg Felt, Ark Anglers Beverly Griffith, Community Volunteer Happy Haynes, Deputy Mayor of Denver; Denver Parks and Recreation
Scott Ingvoldstad, WSP USA† Peter Kirsch, Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell‡ Mike LaMair, RiverBank LLC Kim Morss, Community Volunteer Jeff Resnick, Philanthropist* Arnold Salazar, Colorado Health Partnerships Kimberley Sherwood, Nonprofit Consultant
* Also serving on the National Board of Directors † Colorado Advisory Board Chair ‡ Colorado Advisory Board Vice Chair
2011 BECK PHOTOGRAPHY
Gunnison Valley
Crested Butte, CO
MEET THE COLORADO AND SOUTHWEST TEAM (Based in our Denver office unless otherwise noted) Chandi Aldena, Parks for People Project Manager Peggy Chiu, National Counsel Patrick Gardner, Project Manager Conor Hall, Director of Conservation Strategies and Policy Advocacy Peter Hambidge, Associate Director of Philanthropy Greg Hiner, Director of Land Protection (Santa Fe Office) Barry Hirsch, Director of Field and Brand Marketing Jake Houston, Community Trails Director
Leah Kahler, Senior Philanthropy Associate Carrie Kasnicka, Project Manager Annette Mainland, Director of Philanthropy Emily Moeschler, Social Media and Email Marketing Specialist Michael Patrick, Senior Project Manager (Santa Fe Office) Emily Patterson, Parks for People Program Director Jim Petterson, Colorado and Southwest Region Director Deborah Roberts, Senior Planned Giving Manager Wade Shelton, Senior Project Manager and JEPS Fellow Carrie Smizik, Institutional Giving Manager I Ling Thompson, SVP, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
Support our work Our work in Colorado and the Southwest is made possible thanks to the generosity of individuals, companies, and foundations like you.
• National Treasures—secure nationally significant land in and around our national parks, monuments, trails, historic sites, wild and scenic rivers, and wilderness areas.
CURRENT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE:
• Colorado Wildlands—conserve Colorado’s most iconic and imperiled landscapes.
• The Trust for Public Land—give a gift to support our land-for-people mission.
• Green Schoolyards—build on our 20 years of nationwide experience transforming schoolyards into vibrant green spaces for learning and play with the 2021 launch of our Colorado Green Schoolyards program.
• Parks for People—help us realize our vision where every person in America will live within a 10-minute walk or roll to a quality park or outdoor experience. • Community Trails—enhance community connectivity by creating new trails in the highest-need urban and rural communities across the region.
• Planned Gifts—leave a legacy and create an even bigger impact by demonstrating your commitment to our land-for-people mission and making a gift through your will, trust, charitable gift annuity, charitable remainder trust, beneficiary designation, appreciated assets, or appreciated assets.
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New Freedom Park Denver, CO
NEVADA WIER
Thank you
for joining us as we reimagine and realize the power of land for people to create stronger communities. We couldn’t do it without you.
Join us. The Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come.
tpl.org
Jim Petterson Colorado & Southwest Director 303.863.8485 | jim.petterson@tpl.org Annette Mainland Director of Philanthropy 303.867.2337 | annette.mainland@tpl.org 1410 Grant Street, Suite D210 Denver, CO 80203
COVER (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT): JOE COCA, DARCY KIEFEL, TPL STAFF, RICH REID, DARCY KIEFEL.