Wish We Were Here, Episode 15: Acre for Acre — The Fight for Strawberry Fields

‹‹ Wish We Were Here
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By Noel Black and Jake Brownell
May 20, 2016
Looking North from the meadow at Strawberry Fields at Mt. Cutler
Noel Black Looking North from the meadow at Strawberry Fields at Mt. Cutler
Richard Skorman leading one of his tours of Strawberry Fields in early May, 2016
Noel Black Richard Skorman leading one of his tours of Strawberry Fields in early May, 2016
Producer Jake Brownell and Richard Skorman looking down an eroded social trail on the eastern edge of Strawberry Fields
Noel Black Producer Jake Brownell and Richard Skorman looking down an eroded social trail on the eastern edge of Strawberry Fields
Where the eastern edge of Strawberry Fields meets the the upper Broadmoor neighborhood
Noel Black Where the eastern edge of Strawberry Fields meets the the upper Broadmoor neighborhood
Looking West from the eastern edge of Strawberry Fields
Noel Black Looking West from the eastern edge of Strawberry Fields
Looking NE from the eastern edge of Strawberry Fields
Noel Black Looking NE from the eastern edge of Strawberry Fields
Looking West toward Mt. Muscoco from Strawberry Fields
Noel Black Looking West toward Mt. Muscoco from Strawberry Fields
Wildflowers in Strawberry Fields
Noel Black Wildflowers in Strawberry Fields
A towhee in a Ponderosa pine in Strawberry Fields
Noel Black A towhee in a Ponderosa pine in Strawberry Fields
Wildflowers in Strawberry Fields
Noel Black Wildflowers in Strawberry Fields
Looking south along the power lines that run through Strawberry Fields up to the Will Rogers Shrine
Noel Black Looking south along the power lines that run through Strawberry Fields up to the Will Rogers Shrine
Looking West down into the meadow at Strawberry Fields
Noel Black Looking West down into the meadow at Strawberry Fields
Looking NW into South Cheyenne Canyon
Noel Black Looking NW into South Cheyenne Canyon
Looking East from the eastern edge of Strawberry Fields at the Broadmoor Hotel
Noel Black Looking East from the eastern edge of Strawberry Fields at the Broadmoor Hotel
Woodpeckers on the power poles in Strawberry Fields
Noel Black Woodpeckers on the power poles in Strawberry Fields
Looking NW into the meadow at Strawberry Fields from the hill above on the eastern edge
Noel Black/KRCCLooking NW into the meadow at Strawberry Fields from the hill above on the eastern edge
A tour group descending into the meadow at Strawberry Fields
Noel Black A tour group descending into the meadow at Strawberry Fields
Looking West in the meadow.
Noel Black Looking West in the meadow.
Looking South from the meadow up toward Old Stage road, which lies beyond the trees.
Noel Black Looking South from the meadow up toward Old Stage road, which lies beyond the trees.
Looking North past the meadow.
Noel Black Looking North past the meadow.
Wildflowers in Strawberry Fields
Noel Black Wildflowers in Strawberry Fields
Wildflowers in Strawberry Fields
Noel Black Wildflowers in Strawberry Fields
Wildflowers in Strawberry Fields
Noel Black Wildflowers in Strawberry Fields
Wildflowers in Strawberry Fields
Noel Black Wildflowers in Strawberry Fields
Canada Geese flying out of South Cheyenne Canyon over Strawbery Fields
Credit Noel BlackCanada Geese flying out of South Cheyenne Canyon over Strawbery Fields
Ponderosa pine in Strawberry Fields
Noel Black Ponderosa pine in Strawberry Fields
Looking down onto a social trail that descends from Old Stage Road at the southernmost edge of Strawberry Fields
Noel Black Looking down onto a social trail that descends from Old Stage Road at the southernmost edge of Strawberry Fields
Graffiti on "Party Rock" along the steep southern edge of Strawberry Fields off of Old Stage Road
Noel Black Graffiti on "Party Rock" along the steep southern edge of Strawberry Fields off of Old Stage Road
Page 1 of the 1885 Ordinance dedicating Cheyenne Canyon Park
Courtesy of Bill Louis Page 1 of the 1885 Ordinance dedicating Cheyenne Canyon Park
Page 2 of the 1885 Ordinance dedicating Cheyenne Canyon Park
Courtesy of Bill Louis Page 2 of the 1885 Ordinance dedicating Cheyenne Canyon Park
Page 3 of the 1885 Ordinance dedicating Cheyenne Canyon Park
Courtesy of Bill Louis Page 3 of the 1885 Ordinance dedicating Cheyenne Canyon Park

On this weekend’s special episode of Wish We Were Here, we take a close look at all sides of the proposed Broadmoor land swap deal and the way that open space defines Colorado Springs as a city.

At the heart of deal lies a 189 acre undeveloped piece of parkland at the southwestern corner of the city called Strawberry Fields. It’s been the subject of more than a dozen public meetings, myriad news stories, a widely circulated petition, and a fierce debate on social media.

UPDATE: Colorado Springs City Council has voted 6-3 to approve the land swap with the Broadmoor. Stay tuned to KRCC in the coming days for more. 

Here is how the council members voted:

To read the 1885 Ordinance dedicating Cheyenne Canyon Park by clicking on the slideshow above.

Click HERE to see a map that outlines the specific properties that Colorado Springs and The Broadmoor would be trading.

Click HERE to read the Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department's 2014 Master Plan.

Click HERE to read the Colorado Springs Procedure Manual for the Acquistion and Disposition of Real Property Interests.

Click HERE to read the land appraisals for the properties involved in the exchange.

The Colorado Springs City Council will vote on whether or not to approve the deal on Tuesday, May 24.

Check back here for updates.

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