Flanagan Park
As the only park in the Papeton Neighborhood, our neighbors have been specific on needed improvements at Flanagan park. These requests have included: restrooms, playground equipment, lighting at the pavilion, repairing benches, and dog
waste bags. If you don’ t live near the park, you may not know that Flanagan Park is home to the Colorado Springs rugby community. The park hosts practices, games, and tournaments for the youth, high school, men’ s, and women’ s teams. The rugby teams have also advocated for field improvements, restrooms, and field lights.
Since September neighbors and community members have formed a coalition, which will be forming an official Friends Group this month.
The intention is to form consensus on park improvement, providing
volunteer maintenance, and hosting park cleanups. This group will also be able to provide direct communication to the Parks Dept.
Last month, the Parks Dept communicated with the rugby team that they would be laying topsoil to address existing potholes. After the maintenance, the rugby team and neighbors noticed the presence of large rocks and gravel covering the field.
At the time of print, one tournament had be relocated, and rugby players have been working to remove the presence of rocks and gravel which present unsafe conditions.
Realities such as this are frustrating but also highlight the need for our parks coalition to be meeting with city official more regularly. In response, neighbors have asked if it’s possible for the community to manage the park to ensure for the care and condition of the facilities.
If you would like to be involved with our Friends Group or represent the communities needs to city staff, please let us know.
Native Flower Beds
Beginning next month, the City Horticultural Dept will be installing garden beds with native Colorado plants at Portal Park. Volunteers will need to tend to the beds at least once per week. If you would like to join the team, send us an email. Our neighbor Jenny has been collecting volunteer waivers for the native garden beds at Portal Park.
This program was made possible by the Springs in Bloom program.
Neighborhood Mural – Portal Park
Staff from the City’s Parks Dept has confirmed that the Portal Pool building will be repainted in the next few weeks. The repainting project was funded by the Urban Renewal Authority for $7,000. Once the base paint has been completed, we will apply for a mural project. We will be submitting a design that depicts the history of our neighborhoods. The mural will have a paint-by-number section, so everyone will be able to participate in painting the mural. We are planning for the mural to be scheduled in early August. We will organize the painting as a community event and will be connecting with the neighborhood schools to include them in the project.
If you are interested in being involved in the planning, please let us know.
Neighborhood Elections
The annual Papeton Neighborhood Organization board elections are scheduled for May 16, at 1 pm location TBA. You’re encouraged to attend even if you’re not interested in a position. It will be an opportunity to meet neighbors and discuss plans for 2026.
Papeton Press in Print
We are excited to announce that we are now offering printed copies of our monthly newsletter. This is made possible by donations from neighbors and local businesses. If you would like a printed copy or have space for copies in your business, please let us know. We are open to sponsorships that will support funding of park restrooms, mural materials, and the neighborhood yard sale.
Community Calendar
APRIL 4 – Colorado Springs Grizzles 12pm @ Flanagan Park
APRIL 11 – Community Film Screening 1-4pm @ Harrison High School
APRIL 15 – Papeton Neighborhood Meetup 6-8pm @ Storybook
APRIL 22 – Earth Day 12-6pm @ Concrete Coyote Community Park
MAY 16 – Papeton Neighborhood Elections 1-2 pm location TBA Send your community events to papetonneighbors@gmail.com
