November 2020 Board of Directors Meeting

FOMP is pleased to announce our November 2020 Board Meeting

Meeting Time:
Tuesday, November 10th at 7:00 PM

NOTE:

Please RSVP to info@fomp.org – we are under COVID guidelines and must limit the meeting to 10 people, otherwise, an online session might be required.
Mask and 6-foot distancing rules are mandatory. 

Meeting location

Trinity Lutheran Church, 17750 Knollwood Monument refer to  https://goo.gl/maps/pjVmV8dHSMv –  behind the Kum and Go, park in the east parking lot and enter through the east doors (by the playground). Take the first right and walk north through the double doors to the first classroom on the right.

Board Member Updates

• President and Vice President update.
• Secretary and Treasurer update.

Topics

• Reid Weicks will give an update on the Palmer Lake Reservoir Road situation  
• Review work accomplished in 2020 
• Current USFS situation
• Should FOMP and the community petition the USFS to limit camping in the Fire Center’s acreage?
• Order carsonite and stickers
• Social trail issues
• The Fire Center is being loved to death

Open Discussion

Thanks, and we hope to see you there!
FOMP

Canceling Oct 13th Trail Night

With the current USFS COVID-19 guidelines, FOMP is canceling our Oct 13th trail night. 

We ask that you please do not perform any trail maintenance, alterations, and blocking (with branches/rocks) on the trail system in the Monument Fire Center without the express permission from FOMP or the USFS.

Thanks for your support and thoughts throughout the pandemic, and we look forward to seeing everyone again.

FOMP

• 

Canceling Sept 8th Trail Night

With the current USFS COVID-19 guidelines, FOMP is canceling our Sept 8th trail night. 

We ask that you please do not perform any trail maintenance, alterations, and blocking (with branches/rocks) on the trail system in the Monument Fire Center without the express permission from FOMP or the USFS.

Thanks for your support and thoughts throughout the pandemic, and we look forward to seeing everyone again.

FOMP

• 

The Lewis-Palmer High School Class of 1975 celebrated their 45th Class Reunion this year. A big congratulations for making it to that milestone, which by coincidence, I have reached the same illustrious age!

As we are all aware during this year of 2020, the COVID-19 Pandemic has dramatically altered our lifestyles, with sheltering-in-place, masks, social distancing, and smaller gatherings being required for safety purposes. The LP 75 class pulled the plug on doing their Reunion for safety reasons. Still, in a perfect melding of circumstances, they decided it would be an excellent opportunity to honor their classmate and our beloved Tim Watkins by donating on his behalf to FOMP. Tim was extremely passionate about the Monument Preserve area and mapped, built, and maintained much of the trail systems within our complex that we have all grown to love.

Randy Royal offered a perfect statement about the presentation and donation:

Classmates and Friends

Thank you all for your generous donations in honor of Tim Watkins and recognizing Randy Jones as well as all of our previous classmates that we have lost. Russ, Marlene and I were able to present to members of the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Monument Preserve a check totaling $2400. We also relayed to them that a couple of you had also donated directly to them online. So ultimately, we were in the $2500 range for our donation. Bonnie Watkins, Tim’s sister, was there as well, representing the family and wanted to share her thanks to all of you as well. The FOMP was very thankful and stated the funds would be used to continue the development and maintenance of the trails within the preserve, many of which Tim had a direct impact on formulating and perfecting. They couldn’t say enough about his work, his service, and his passion for helping others. Marlene took some pics and was going to get word to the local paper.

Happy 45h Reunion, and be proud of a successful event!!

Next one, we will hopefully meet face-to-face again!!

I knew Tim for over 30 years and considered him an incredible friend and an exceptional human being, and I can rightfully say we deeply miss him on this earth with us. The entire community knows how much Tim loved the Monument Preserve, the outdoors, Monument, Palmer Lake, Colorado, Utah, and especially bicycling.

We humbly appreciate the Lewis-Palmer Class of 1975 donation in Tim’s name, as he was an avid part of our FOMP organization and a massive part of the general community. This donation will allow us to continue our mission to protect and preserve the historical artifacts and recreational opportunities available at the USFS Fire Center in Monument, CO.

Thank you once again!

Brian Mullin – President FOMP

We greatly miss you, Timmy. #BeLikeTim

Tuesday, August 11th at 6:00 PM

FOMP is pleased to be holding our second monthly volunteer trail work maintenance session for 2020.  We’ll be under COVID-19 protocols, including social distancing, smaller groups, and facial coverings. If you are sick, please stay at home.

Special COVID-19 Safety Protocols:

• We will distribute Self-Screen and Risk Assessment documents to all volunteers, prior to beginning any work
• FOMP and other trained resources will provide safety briefing on trail work practices, and new COVID-19 related distancing guidelines
• Workgroups will be limited to 5 or fewer people, with multiple groups deployed to separate work areas
• Volunteers will follow measures highlighted in the Risk Assessment to including following all Local, State, and CDC guidelines for small group sizes (5 or fewer per workgroup), maintaining enhanced distancing guidelines of 10 feet, wearing a facial covering, and avoiding carpooling with nonfamily members

Please meet at the main parking lot at Mt Herman and Nursery https://goo.gl/maps/rdJuhbbQWEx

Check the website too! http://www.fomp.org

The rest of the info you need: FOMP and USFS provide all the necessary tools. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for performing outdoor landscaping type of work. Volunteers should wear long pants and sturdy shoes, and bring leather gloves, a hat, a personal water supply, eye protection, sunscreen, and bug repellent. We meet rain or shine unless there is lightning active in the area.

We make every effort to accommodate volunteer preferences and abilities at each event. Generally, we perform activities such as water bar building or renovation, trail renovation, maintenance, and trimming, etc. So, pretty much everything from trimming back scrub oak or digging lots of dirt to moving boulders. We assign duties based on interests and capabilities. Kids are welcome to join their parents; however, we do ask that you evaluate whether this is an appropriate activity for your child or not.

Be aware all participants will need to sign a wavier before than can begin any trail work.

Thanks, and we hope to see you out there!

FOMP

This is the upcoming list of FOMP events through the end of the year.  

November 10, 2020

• Board Meeting
  • Starts: 7:00 PM
  • Ends: 8:00 PM
  • Location: Trinity Lutheran Church, 17750 Knollwood, Monument

FOMP needs you for this trail work session!

Tuesday, July 14th at 6:00 PM

FOMP is pleased to be holding our first monthly volunteer trail work session for 2020. We have been delayed due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, and we’ve finally been released by the USFS to commence our trail maintenance work once again. We’ll be under COVID-19 protocols, including social distancing, smaller groups, and facial coverings. If you are sick, please stay at home.

Special COVID-19 Safety Protocols:

• We will distribute Self-Screen and Risk Assessment documents to all volunteers, prior to beginning any work
• FOMP and other trained resources will provide safety briefing on trail work practices, and new COVID-19 related distancing guidelines
• Workgroups will be limited to 5 or fewer people, with multiple groups deployed to separate work areas
• Volunteers will follow measures highlighted in the Risk Assessment to including following all Local, State, and CDC guidelines for small group sizes (5 or fewer per workgroup), maintaining enhanced distancing guidelines of 10 feet, wearing a facial covering, and avoiding carpooling with nonfamily members

Please meet at the main parking lot at Mt Herman and Nursery https://goo.gl/maps/rdJuhbbQWEx

Check the website too! http://www.fomp.org

The rest of the info you need: FOMP and USFS provide all the necessary tools. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for performing outdoor landscaping type of work. Volunteers should wear long pants and sturdy shoes, and bring leather gloves, a hat, a personal water supply, eye protection, sunscreen, and bug repellent. We meet rain or shine unless there is lightning active in the area.

We make every effort to accommodate volunteer preferences and abilities at each event. Generally, we perform activities such as water bar building or renovation, trail renovation, maintenance, and trimming, etc. So, pretty much everything from trimming back scrub oak or digging lots of dirt to moving boulders. We assign duties based on interest and capabilities. Kids are welcome to join their parents; however, we do ask that you evaluate whether this is an appropriate activity for your child or not.

Be aware all participants will need to sign a wavier before than can begin any trail work.

Thanks, and we hope to see you out there!

FOMP

This is the upcoming list of FOMP events through the end of the year. Please come out for our trail work nights and help maintain the trails that we all use and love.  

August 11, 2020

• FOMP Trail Night
  • Starts: 6:00 PM
  • Ends: 8:30 PM or until dark 
  • Location: Mt Herman Trailhead Parking lot – Corner of Mt Herman/Nursery

September 8, 2019

• FOMP Trail Night
  • Starts: 6:00 PM
  • Ends: 8:30 PM or until dark
  • Location: Mt Herman Trailhead Parking lot – Corner of Mt Herman/Nursery

October 13, 2019

• FOMP Trail Night
  • Starts: 6:00 PM
  • Ends: 9:00 PM or until dark
  • Location: Mt Herman Trailhead Parking lot – Corner of Mt Herman/Nursery

November 10, 2019

• Board Meeting
  • Starts: 7:00 PM
  • Ends: 8:00 PM
  • Location: Trinity Lutheran Church, 17750 Knollwood, Monument

We ask that you please do not perform any trail maintenance, alterations, and blocking (with branches/rocks) on the trail system in the Monument Fire Center without the express permission from FOMP or the USFS.

With the exponential usage at the Monument Fire Center, the trails are getting torn up and widened, and we need to begin some much-needed maintenance work. Thanks for your support and thoughts throughout the pandemic.

Please come out on our next work night on Tuesday, July 14th, and help maintain the incredible trail system in the Monument Fire Center. We make every effort to accommodate volunteer preferences and abilities at each event. Generally, we perform activities such as water bar building or renovation, trail renovation, maintenance, and trimming, etc. So, pretty much everything from trimming back scrub oak or digging lots of dirt to moving boulders. We assign duties based on interests and capabilities.

With the current USFS COVID-19 guidelines, FOMP is canceling our June 9th trail night. We’ll hope to see you all on our July 14th trail night after the sanctions are lifted; albeit likely still practicing social distancing and working in smaller groups.

We ask that you please do not perform any trail maintenance, alterations, and blocking (with branches/rocks) on the trail system in the Monument Fire Center without the express permission from FOMP or the USFS.

With the exponential usage at the Fire Center, the trails are getting torn up and widened, and we need to begin some much-needed maintenance work. Thanks for your support and thoughts throughout the pandemic, and we look forward to seeing everyone again.

FOMP

Etiquette: How to Share a Trail

All users play a role in reducing trail conflicts. Here are some etiquette guidelines we can follow to improve trail experiences for everyone.

Dog Owners

• Note: The Fire Center is a USFS off-leash area. Please keep all pets under control (and leashed in designated area), especially excitable, unruly, or aggressive ones, so that they don’t negatively impact or injure other users.

Mountain Bikers

• Ride with a bell, announce your presence in a friendly way.  Try not to startle other users.
• When passing hikers, cyclists must yield.  What does yield mean?  As a cyclist, it is ultimately your responsibility to avoid crashing into someone (or entering their safe space). This means riding in control at all times, able to slow down and stop if necessary to negotiate a safe pass. This may include dismounting, and even backing up.  Often, it’s easier for a hiker to move to the side of the trail to let you pass, and most hikers will do this if there is a safe place and you communicate with them.  Pass slowly and safely, thank them, and continue on your way.
• If you are riding downhill and encounter someone riding uphill – you must yield to them.  Usually, this means slowing and getting to the side or stopping. Get as far off the trail or as far as possible, and allow the uphill rider to ride past.
• If you encounter an equestrian, moving either toward or away from you, slow down, stop as necessary, and engage in a conversation about the best way to pass.
• If there are others in your group, let the person you’re passing know how many are behind you.
• If you stop for any reason, move off to the side – don’t block the trail.
• Don’t ride muddy trails. If you’re leaving ruts, turn around. If you encounter a muddy section or puddle on an otherwise dry trail, ride through it. Don’t widen the trail: Keep singletrack single.

Hikers/trail runners

• Maintain situational awareness – you are sharing the trail with others.  Expect and watch for them.
• If using headphones or earbuds, keep the volume low enough to hear and engage with other users.
• Cyclists are required to slow down and yield to hikers. Often it is much easier for hikers than cyclists to step off a narrow trail. It also creates less trail widening. Hikers are not required to yield to cyclists, but if you are able to, please cooperate with cyclists to let them pass quickly and safely.
• Avoid standing along the outside edge of a switchback/climbing turn.  When riding up or down, most cyclists prefer to use them outside of the turn – it’s safer and easier to get through the turn.  Please stand on the inside edgeof these turns, or away from the turn altogether
• If hiking in groups spread out so that other users can pass safely.
• If you stop along the way, move to the side –don’t block the trail.
• Don’t use muddy trails. If you’re leaving footprints, turn around. If you encounter a muddy section or puddle on an otherwise dry trail, go through it. Don’t widen the trail.

Equestrians

• Choose trails that are appropriate for your skill level, and for the comfort level of your horse.
• If your horse (and you) need practice on technical trail moves or being around other users – use El Paso County Parks’ Equestrian Skills Course to improve your skills and familiarity with other users.
• Work with other users to share the trail.
• Don’t ride muddy trails. If you’re leaving deep prints, turn around. If you encounter a muddy section or puddle on an otherwise dry trail, ride through it. Don’t widen the trail: Keep singletrack single.

#RecreateResponsibly to Protect Yourself, Others, and the Outdoors

During this public health crisis, spending time in outdoor spaces has become even more important for many Americans. Yet these unusual circumstances mean that all of us, from seasoned outdoor enthusiasts to families heading out to their local park for the first time, could use a little guidance about how to stay safe. The Recreate Responsibly guidelines offer a starting point for getting outside to keep yourself healthy and to maintain access to our parks, trails, and beaches.

Etiquette: How to Share a Trail

All users play a role in reducing trail conflicts.  Here are some etiquette guidelines we can follow to improve trail experiences for everyone.

Dog Owners

• Note: The Fire Center is a USFS off-leash area. Please keep all pets under control (and leashed in designated area), especially excitable, unruly, or aggressive ones, so that they don’t negatively impact or injure other users.

Mountain Bikers

• Ride with a bell, announce your presence in a friendly way.  Try not to startle other users.
• When passing hikers, cyclists must yield.  What does yield mean?  As a cyclist, it is ultimately your responsibility to avoid crashing into someone (or entering their safe space). This means riding in control at all times, able to slow down and stop if necessary to negotiate a safe pass. This may include dismounting, and even backing up.  Often, it’s easier for a hiker to move to the side of the trail to let you pass, and most hikers will do this if there is a safe place and you communicate with them.  Pass slowly and safely, thank them, and continue on your way.
• If you are riding downhill and encounter someone riding uphill – you must yield to them.  Usually, this means slowing and getting to the side or stopping. Get as far off the trail or as far as possible, and allow the uphill rider to ride past.
• If you encounter an equestrian, moving either toward or away from you, slow down, stop as necessary, and engage in a conversation about the best way to pass.
• If there are others in your group, let the person you’re passing know how many are behind you.
• If you stop for any reason, move off to the side – don’t block the trail.
• Don’t ride muddy trails. If you’re leaving ruts, turn around. If you encounter a muddy section or puddle on an otherwise dry trail, ride through it. Don’t widen the trail: Keep singletrack single.

Hikers/trail runners

• Maintain situational awareness – you are sharing the trail with others.  Expect and watch for them.
• If using headphones or earbuds, keep the volume low enough to hear and engage with other users.
• Cyclists are required to slow down and yield to hikers. Often it is much easier for hikers than cyclists to step off a narrow trail. It also creates less trail widening. Hikers are not required to yield to cyclists, but if you are able to, please cooperate with cyclists to let them pass quickly and safely.
• Avoid standing along the outside edge of a switchback/climbing turn.  When riding up or down, most cyclists prefer to use them outside of the turn – it’s safer and easier to get through the turn.  Please stand on the inside edge of these turns, or away from the turn altogether
• If hiking in groups spread out so that other users can pass safely.
• If you stop along the way, move to the side – don’t block the trail.
• Don’t use muddy trails. If you’re leaving footprints, turn around. If you encounter a muddy section or puddle on an otherwise dry trail, go through it. Don’t widen the trail.

Equestrians

• Choose trails that are appropriate for your skill level, and for the comfort level of your horse.
• If your horse (and you) need practice on technical trail moves or being around other users – use El Paso County Parks’ Equestrian Skills Course to improve your skills and familiarity with other users.
• Work with other users to share the trail.
• Don’t ride muddy trails. If you’re leaving deep prints, turn around. If you encounter a muddy section or puddle on an otherwise dry trail, ride through it. Don’t widen the trail: Keep singletrack single.