Rainbow Falls Progress - Community Clean-Up at Rainbow Falls scheduled Earth Day weekend - Saturday, April 21st!

Community Clean-Up at Rainbow Falls scheduled Earth Day weekend - Saturday, April 21st!  MECA & El Paso County Parks will be at the Park from 8am to 1pm.  Come out and support the Falls!  



Wear hiking boots, refreshments will be supplied. 
Sign-in at Rainbow Falls Regional Park Trailhead 
located at Serpentine Drive
just west of Manitou Springs
(Serpentine Dr. is across from Cave of the Winds entrance)

MECA, El Paso County and our many partners are attempting to address decades of neglect at Rainbow Falls when it was privately owned. 

Through Commissioner Clark's leadership and support, we have completed the following: 1) Raised over $50,000 of private funds for restoration efforts. MECA raised over $5000 at Craftwood Inn fundraiser in Feb 2011.

2) Restored the overlook trail so it is totally accessible, providing a great view of the creek downstream and Manitou Springs.

3) Installed new trails along the creek that include several picnic tables along the trail.

4) Installed a new picnic area (Eagle Scout project)above the parking lot.

5) Expanded the parking lot which will be resurfaced and new guardrail installed in the next several weeks.

6) Removed a variety of accessible graffiti.

7) Installed a security camera to assist law enforcement with addressing the vandalism issues.   Dozens of individuals were cited by deputies recently.

8) Coordinated with CDOT to obtain planning funds to address erosion issues and design a service road back to Rainbow Falls.  The plan will be completed this spring.

9) Concrete Couch, a local non-profit, will install a creative kiosk this Spring that will feature the historical and cultural aspects of Rainbow Falls.

10) The County will coordinate educational tours of the Falls this summer.

11) Manitou Environmental Citizens Action has coordinated multiple cleanups involving hundreds of volunteers.   The next cleanup is scheduled for April 21.  More details coming.

12) CDOT to restripe Manitou Ave leading to 24W with a bike path/lane in Spring of 2012.

RAINBOW FALLS SCULPTURAL KIOSK PROJECT – spring 2012

(Concrete Couch creations photos are each somewhat Kiosk related. The Rainbow Falls kiosk will be different, but this gives you some idea!)

A collaborative project of Concrete Couch (“CC”), El Paso County Parks (“EPCP”) and

Manitou Environmental Coalition (“MECA”).

Concept: In this free program, we will work with local community members, D-14 and the Colorado College Geology Department, to build a sculptural, informational kiosk at the trailhead for Rainbow Falls.

The kiosk will have an area to leave informal messages (cork board or blackboard) and a distinct area for park informational display (“Park Clean-up Day is April 28” for example). The majority of the structure will be devoted to an artistic and scientific interpretation of the geology and biology of the area. We will work with concrete, steel, stone, glass and ceramic tiles/mosaic.

Goals: The park will gain a beautiful and informational kiosk. Participants will learn concrete forming and casting, clay tile building and glazing, and mosaic techniques. New connections in our community will be forged and strengthened.

Program: We will work at the trailhead, for 9 consecutive Thursdays, from 1pm to 5pm (Students will arrive at 3:20) and 1 Saturday morning. If the weather is inclement, we will meet at the Business of Art Center.

Schedule:

Thursday, March 15: Meeting at MSHS commons, 3pm and 6pm, for prospective students, parents of students and interested adult community members. We will discuss all aspects of the project, explain waivers, etc.  COME TO ONE of the two sessions!!

1) March 22:  walk site, models, brainstorm, tiles,(initial formwork?)

2) March 29 (Spring Break): Make tiles at the BAC.

3) April 5: tiles/construction/foundation pour?

4) April 12: tiles/glazing/construction

5) April 19: second pour/tiles

6) April 21: work on kiosk and the assist the Rainbow Fall clean-up crew, 9am to noon

7) April 26: mosaic, glazing

8) May 3: mosaic

9) May 10: mosaic

10) May 17: clean up and celebration

May 24: make up day

Expectations: We are looking for a group of 8 to 15 participants. We expect participants to arrive prepared to work and learn, for all weather conditions, and to be able to attend 8 out of the 10 sessions.  (Participants will sign a waiver form.) We will provide all tools and materials and a light snack.

Project Representatives:

Steve Wood (Concrete Couch) 685-4422 or steve@concretecouch.org

Becky Pontz (Concrete Couch) 318-268-4220 or becky@concretecouch.org

Doug Edmondson (MECA)

Elaine Kleckner (EPCP)

Contact Steve Wood to Volunteer!

Another Restore Rainbow Falls cleanup day has been scheduled for Saturday, September 17, 2011 from 8 AM - 12 PM.

Restore Rainbow Falls Project Cleanup- Saturday, September 17, 2011 8am - 12pm

Another major effort to help restore Rainbow Falls! Enjoy a day at the falls while helping to clean up and recreate the area as a recreation destination!

Sponsored by MECA, City of Manitou Springs, and the El Paso County Parks Department. Bring a picnic lunch :-)
When: Sat, Sept. 17, 2011, 8am – 12pm
Where: Rainbow Falls at Serpentine Drive, West of Manitou Springs (Google map)
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Hello Community Volunteers!

There will be another major clean up effort for the Restore Rainbow Falls Project on Saturday, September 17, 2011. Thank you to all the wonderful individuals and organizations that did such a great job last time! Join us! Create Community! Sponsored by Manitou Environmental Citizens' Action, City of Manitou Springs and El Paso County Parks Department.
PLEASE email L'aura Montgomery (lauramonty@gmail.com) if you have any questions.
REGISTRATION: Registration begins at 8am at the entrance to Rainbow Falls with coffee and snacks. Everyone must sign a waiver, and those under 18 must have the signature of a parent. Download the waiver (152KB PDF) .
*** PLEASE complete the waiver(s) prior to registration, if possible, especially those needing a parent signature. They will be collected that morning. ***
THE CLEAN UP: We will be picking up trash along the creek and roadways, and painting over the graffiti on the bridge over Fountain Creek on Serpentine Drive and the bridge at Rainbow Falls that is reachable from the ground. We will also be doing some trail building work along the creek.
What each person can bring:

1. Filled water container for drinking water -(can also be filled at one of the many Manitou Springs, if needed)
2. Work gloves
3. Paint brush (if you want to paint) and reused container to hold paint (a gallon milk container or plastic 2 liter soda bottle - cut open at top, a large old coffee mug, etc...
4. Suitable hiking shoes (closed toe)
5. Weather appropriate (and paint appropriate) clothing
6. Bag lunch, if desired
7. Shovels, picks and other hand tools for trail building, if desired

What we supply:

1. LOTS of dark paint in huge 5 gallon containers
2. Trash bags
3. Vests for those walking/working near the road
4. Coffee at registration
5. Team leaders for each clean up area

What we will NOT be doing -

1. Painting the rocks (blasting will be done by professionals to remove the graffiti on non-man-made surfaces)
2. Going into the rushing water to remove debris
3. Climbing up on the bridge to paint

DIRECTIONS: Rainbow Falls is located West of Manitou off Serpentine Drive. Parking is available at Higgenbothem Flats and along the lower part of Serpentine Dr.
Two ways to get there:

1. Take Manitou Ave through Manitou. Follow until you see the Ute Chief Spring on your right. Bear right onto Serpentine..
2. Take 24 West to the 3rd Manitou exit (Traffic light at Cave of the Winds). At the light, turn left. Park in grass area on right (Higgenbothem Flats, just west of Manitou Springs Storage) and walk down the hill, or go down the hill, around the bend, and park in designated parking spots.

QUESTIONS? I am most accessible via email (I too am a volunteer and also have a full time job). Please email any questions you may have to lauramonty@gmail.com .