COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department rededicated the historic gazebo in Alamo Square Park, adjacent to the Pioneers Museum downtown, on Monday, Nov. 1. The gazebo improvements were funded in part by the El Pomar Foundation and voter-approved ballot issue 2B from the 2019 election, which allowed the City to retain $7 million in excess 2018 TABOR revenue for specific park projects. The project also received contributions from CSNA Architects, Bridgers & Paxton and HCDA Engineering.
As part of the ceremony, City Forestry planted the final City tree in the COS 150: Tree Challenge. The American linden was donated by Leadership Pikes Peak and planted in Alamo Square Park. The Tree Challenge was a nod to the city’s tree legacy during its sesquicentennial year and encouraged community members to plant trees citywide.
“We are proud of the community for rising to the challenge to learn more about our amazing tree history and thank those who took part in planting and tracking their trees in our online tree tracker,” said Dennis Will, city forester. “A total of 11,090 trees were tracked online toward our goal of 18,071 trees, including 483 trees planted by City Forestry. We know from collaborating with three local nurseries on the effort that more than 25,000 trees were sold in the community during the Tree Challenge, and we believe the initiative was a success.”
Mayor John Suthers also presented a Spirit of the Springs Celebration Award to Charlie Stevens for his leadership in the Tree Challenge. Stevens, a sophomore at Palmer High School, planted nearly 40 trees in the Old North End neighborhood this spring as part of an Eagle Scout project. He worked closely with City Forestry on the project.
The Office of the Mayor welcomes the opportunity to recognize exceptional individuals and organizations within the City of Colorado Springs with a Spirit of the Springs Celebration Award. These awards are presented to recipients by the Mayor or an official designee to honor them for outstanding achievements. For more information, visit ColoradoSprings.gov/Mayors-Office.