Community Service – It’s What Makes America Great!

Greetings Black Forest trails users and another Happy New Year to you! New York Yankees great Mickey Mantle says if he knew he was going to live this long, he would have taken better care of himself. I trust you are all taking better care of yourself by getting out on the many beautiful trails we have in the forest.


And we have another great newsletter for you with a Section 16 update from the Potato Doc, John Wallace, who is now a member of the El Paso County Parks Advisory Board and our treasurer and membership lead. Thanks John! Departing board member, Larry Fariss, tells us what’s going on with the Northern Nature Center planned for Fox Run Regional Park. And new At-Large board member, Gary Sherwood, provides another look at trail etiquette. You can never be too polite on the trail. Gary is an accomplished motorcycle rider and eBike  enthusiast. We’re going to see a big increase in eBike use throughout the forest and Gary will provide expert advice.


What I want to talk about in this newsletter is Community Service. It’s what makes Black Forest a great place to live. The Black Forest Community Club recognizes the ‘Keeper of the Keys’ each year to recognize those that serve our community. Our current secretary, Judy von Ahlefeldt, is a well-deserved former Keeper. Maybe you’ve read her book about the history of Black Forest. Terry Stokka, who leads the Friends of Black Forest, and has been in the news recently as a staunch defender of our Black Forest lifestyle is another former Keeper. They even recognized me at the last Keeper induction. I’ve attached a photo from the August induction ceremony at BFCC and encourage you to attend next year.


This year we’ll be losing three board members who have provided outstanding service to BFTA. So now it’s time for you to step up. If you’ve read any of my previous articles, you know this is a theme for me. I even used Uncle Sam to get you involved. Anyways if you have an inkling of interest, please contact me at president.bfta@gmail.com.


We have bi-monthly board meetings that are held at the historic Black Forest Community Club, the log cabin at Black Forest and Shoup Roads. At our next board meeting on March 8th, we’ve asked El Paso County Parks & Recreation Executive Director, Todd Marts, to provide an update on Section 16. John  Wallace’s article states that the county has swallowed the bitter price increase pill for this year. But what about the future? Todd will provide an update and be available for questions on eBikes, connector trails and whatever else you may be curious about. Todd recently took over from El Paso County parks legend, Tim Wolken, and is putting his mark on our trails, so to speak. I really admire our county parks employees as a great example of community service. If you see a county parks employee on your hikes be sure to thank them.


Our annual members meeting will be held Tues, Jul 11 at the Black Forest Brewing Company at the shopping center at Black Forest and Burgess, across from the infamous Chicken Coop. The owners, Donovan and Tara, have been great supporters of BFTA besides serving great beer and food. First beer is on BFTA if you attend. I’ve asked another county parks employee, Theresa Odello, to update us on the Northern Nature Center. We hold our annual elections at this meeting so here’s your chance to step up – Please!


Oh and once again BFTA will be working with the county on the Great American Cleanup to be held Saturday 15 April, at 9 AM. I’ll be leading the Palmer Divide group, John Wallace will lead Black Forest Regional Park and an unnamed BFTA member will lead Section 16. We’re also looking for someone to take on the Pineries Open Space as there’s not yet a friends group established. Please let me know if you’re interested. Well that’s enough from me. Hope to see you on the trails and at the BFTA meetings.


All the best in 2023!
Sincerely, Rich Mock
​President BFTA 

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