Colorado Springs residents and visitors can look forward to an array of enhancements to the city’s parks, trails, and open spaces slated for 2026. The Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department has a busy year planned, tackling everything from long-range strategic planning to concrete improvements across the city’s green spaces. According to a recent announcement, these initiatives aim to meet community needs while prioritizing sustainability and guiding future investments for the next decade or more.
One of the highlights is the ongoing work at Blodgett Open Space, where 2026 will see the culmination of key master plan improvements, including the completion of 14 miles of trails and wildfire mitigation efforts. As described by the City of Colorado Springs, there’s also significant progress expected for the Austin Bluffs and Fishers Canyon open spaces, with an emphasis on trailhead improvements, rezoning, and trail planning. However, true to the spirit of the city’s moniker, the Rock Island Trail expansion is shaping up to be the proverbial cherry on top, with over two miles of new urban trail and a 210-foot pedestrian bridge to connect different sections of the trail.
For those who like their recreational spaces well-signed and easy to navigate, the PRCS is ticking all the right boxes. They’re moving full steam ahead with wayfinding improvements, planning to finalize kiosk sign art and map design before rolling out the first installations early in the year. These enhancements, which will eventually include the Garden of the Gods Park, are designed to improve visitor experience and facilitate safer access to trailheads and open spaces…