The City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) Department has been awarded a $300,000 grant from the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) through its Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF). This grant will be utilized for the reclamation and revegetation of the Black Canyon Quarry property, also known as the Snyder Quarry, located west of Garden of the Gods Park, bordering the Cedar Heights Community Association.
"In receiving this generous grant from DOLA, we are taking significant strides toward restoring the Black Canyon Quarry," said Britt Haley, director of PRCS. "This funding will assist us with reclaiming the land and enhancing the ecological health of our community. We are committed to sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and our residents, and we are grateful to DOLA for their support.”
The project scope includes extensive earthwork and revegetation efforts aimed at environmentally reclaiming the quarry site, fulfilling a key condition of its purchase. The civil work will encompass grading, earth moving, surface compaction, reseeding, and erosion control, as well as implementing effective stormwater management practices.
“We are thrilled to support the Black Canyon Quarry through the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund. This project embodies DOLA’s mission to enhance the livability and resilience of our communities by addressing urgent needs with strategic investments," said Maria De Cambra, Executive Director of DOLA. "By preserving the quarry's natural resources and transforming the space to its original state, we are improving air and water quality, supporting wildlife, and creating new opportunities for outdoor activities. This grant represents our commitment to sustainable development, and I look forward to seeing the long-lasting benefits it will bring to Colorado Springs.”
The Black Canyon Quarry Open Space property was acquired by the City of Colorado Springs in September 2020 with funding from the Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) sales tax program. In the future, following the reclamation work, the more than 150 acres of open space will undergo a master planning process with opportunities for public input on future use and development.