Cherokee Metro residents are joining together in an effort to increase the value of their homes by improving their communities’ parks. Work on nearly a dozen projects has started, and new areas where residents can gather to play sports, exercise, picnic and play with their children and dogs are in planning or under construction.
Cherokee Metro District encompasses roughly 6,300 acres, serving 17,945 people, primarily east of Powers. The district also includes an area 20 miles east of the main boundaries, which encompasses 800 acres with nearly 100 additional residential water taps.
“I joined the Parks Advisory Team last year as a way to be involved in making a difference in my district,” said Nathaniel Williams, member of the Citizen’s Parks Advisory Team.
Based on requests, input and a master plan from the District, residents like Williams along with others on the Park Advisory Team developed and received approval on a “Top 10 Priority List” including the following projects:
- Pavilion Roof Replacement, Eastridge Park
- Playground & Xeriscaping, Colorado Tech Park
- Basketball Court, Pronghorn Park
- Dog Park, Eastridge Park
- Lighting, Fredericksburg Park
- Repave Walking Path & Exercise Equipment, Westridge Park
- Baseball Fields, Eastridge Park
- Frisbee Golf, Claremont & Eastridge Parks
- Swing Set, Eastridge Park
- Picnic Shelter, Pronghorn Park
Work on Eastridge Park’s Pavilion is now complete and landscaping has been started at Colorado Tech Park. The remaining projects are scheduled to be completed in a multi-phase plan over the next couple of years.
The district services provided are primarily water and sanitary sewer operations for Cimarron Hills’ area customers, Schriever AFB, community parks and golf courses, as well as maintenance of street lighting.
“I am always excited when our District comes together to improve and invest in our community,” said Janet Cederberg, Cherokee Metro Board of Directors secretary. “With the District’s parks improvement plan I am looking forward to leading a healthier lifestyle with my family by taking advantage of the baseball fields, frisbee parks, and basketball courts.”
The district also has access to lottery grants, receiving approximately $79,000 a year for equipment, labor and water costs for parks. This is not enough money for maintenance and not enough to improve the parks system. Cherokee is also applying for matching grant money from El Paso County to help support capital facility developments.
“Living in this community with my wife and two daughters I wanted to ensure that we had a fun and safe place to spend our weekends outdoors,” said Williams. “The addition of the walking paths will help make that happen and bring together our neighborhood and community.”
To stay up-to-date on the progress, visit CherokeeMetro.org or their Facebook page: Facebook.com/CherokeeWater. District residents can also attend the next Parks & Open Spaces Advisory meeting, held on the first Wednesday of the month at 5:30 pm at CMD’s offices located at 6250 Palmer Park Blvd., Colorado Springs.
