By Marlene Brown
The Black Forest Trails Association (BFTA), a local nonprofit organization, originally became a business entity to create a connection with local residents and the El Paso County Parks staff. BFTA was created in 1995. It worked with the community and board members who had a real interest in the non-motorized multi-use recreational trail system in the Black Forest area, neighborhoods, and the El Paso County Regional Trails System.
So many things have changed in the last 30 years. BFTA had helped implement trails and roads in Black Forest and then the fire came. Ten years ago, many trees and structures burned. Many of the marked trails disappeared. People moved away and new people moved in. Renewing the spirit of Black Forest and some of the goals has been the path of the new 2023 board. Jack Yonce, newly elected president of BFTA, has experience with creating databases and as a member of the county Park Advisory Board. He has worked with the membership of BFTA creating trails that connect the community. There are many ways to assist with hands-on trail stewardship by creating, building, and maintaining trails.
This year and beyond is a special time for BFTA leaders. Finding new energy and projects after a difficult decade since the fire in 2013, there is a need to rejuvenate the Grassroots Neighborhood efforts to establish local trails and work with the newest county Parks Master Plan of 2022 and the county overall Master Plan from 2021. See the map for trail systems and proposed trails in your area. There are many opportunities to connect neighborhoods. See www.blackforesttrails.org for more information. The trails map is posted at www.ocn.me/pdf/v23n12bftamap0815.pdf,
Marlene Brown can be reached at marlenebrown@ocn.me.
Other On the Trails articles
- On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Monument Hiking Group planning session (4/5/2025)
- On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Monument Hiking Group to Ice Cave Cliffs and Cap Rock (2/1/2025)
- On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Enjoy being outdoors, but be prepared (11/2/2024)
- On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Prescribed burn promotes forest health (7/6/2024)
- On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Palmer Lake bridge dedication ceremony (6/1/2024)
- On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Cadets build bridge over Monument Creek (5/4/2024)
- On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Mount Herman “Leap” (4/6/2024)
- On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Palmer Lake Reservoir hike (3/2/2024)
- Mount Herman fire averted (11/4/2023)
- Letters to Our Community – Protesting no parking signs at Pike National Forest (11/4/2023)