The Goldfield Corridor Plan
The Goldfield Corridor is in southeast El Paso County near South Powers and Fontaine boulevards. Principal features are the 646-acre Bluestem Prairie Open Space and the Big Johnson Reservoir 286-acre area. A concept plan represents a conversation about using Goldfield Drive to connect the Bluestem Prairie Open Space to a larger trail network in Colorado Springs and El Paso County and to build a loop around the reservoir.
Community Open House
Attend our Open House to learn more and give your input regarding the Goldfield Corridor Concept Plan.
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 from 5:30–7 p.m.,
with a presentation at 6 p.m.
Date/Time
Location
Widefield Parks and Recreation Center
755 Aspen Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80911
(For auxiliary aid, language services or reasonable accommodations to participate in this meeting, please send an email two days prior to the open house to: goldfieldcorridorplan@gmail.com)
Virtual Option
Can't make the in-person open house?
Sign up for the virtual open house
set for Wednesday, December 3 at 5:30 pm
Where is the Goldfield Corridor?
The Goldfield Corridor is in southeast El Paso County along Goldfield Drive and intersects the Fountain Valley School property, Bluestem Prairie Open Space, and land bordering the Big Johnson Reservoir. Near South Powers and Fontaine boulevards, the corridor has been identified in previous FMMD master plans as a potential trail connection linking parks, open spaces and communities.
Principal features of the corridor are the 646-acre Bluestem Prairie Open Space and the Big Johnson Reservoir 286-acre area. A concept plan developed by stakeholders represents a conversation about using Goldfield Drive to connect the Bluestem Prairie Open Space to a larger trail network and build a non-motorized loop around the reservoir. Foot traffic suggests a demand for a larger trail system.
“The Trails and Open Space Coalition is supportive of the transformation of Goldfield Drive into a trail. This new trail presents a fantastic new way to experience Blue Stem Prairie Open Space and surrounding properties. We believe this is a logical way to save taxpayers money while expanding outdoor access in the region.”
Glenn Carlson, Executive Director,
Trails and Open Space Coalition
What is special about the area?
The area is a protected wildlife habitat that supports migratory waterfowl and shorebirds, as well as nesting habitat for bald eagles and other year-round species.It is ideal for hiking, biking, waterfowl and birdwatching, educational nature walks, wildlife spotting, photography, dark sky viewing, and youth biking. The area also offers profound opportunities for environmental youth educational programs.
The Goldfield Corridor Concept Plan presents an opportunity to protect habitat from growth impacts, expand non-motorized access to the open space, add new public parking areas at both ends of the trail, and to provide greater connectivity to trails for a positive impact on quality of life for residents and those drawn to the unique ecological features of the area.
“Continued road presence which bisects the unique landscape of Fountain Valley School, Bluestem Prairie and Big Johnson reservoir limits habitat, education and recreation for future generations of local residents.”
Lee Derr
Land Conservationist and Science Educator
Current Use of the Corridor
Goldfield Drive currently serves as a major collector road between Bradley Road and Fontaine Boulevard. While the Bluestem Prairie Open Space offers scenic trails, there’s no public access to the reservoir itself, and parking spaces for visitors to the area are limited. It provides limited access to Fountain Valley School property and to the Fountain Mutual Irrigation Company’s maintenance facility.
The adjacent Bluestem Prairie Open Space is currently used by hikers, mountain bikers and bird watchers; however, there is no public access to Big Johnson Reservoir itself. The concept plan would create an opportunity for a new non-motorized trail experience around the reservoir. There are existing trails in the Bluestem Prairie Open Space, but parking for the current open space is limited.
Pictured is the Goldfield Corridor with the proposed conversion of the road to a trail around the Big Johnson Reservoir.
Benefits to the concept plan
A proposed Goldfield Trail would link non-motorized access to communities and open spaces on both the north and south ends to existing trail systems.
A more unified accessible open space network would be created with trail access and trailhead parking, and in support of conservation goals from reduced vehicle traffic through the area.
The trail would provide greater access to the Bluestem Prairie Open Space and provide a non-motorized trail around Big Johnson Reservoir.
A trail would also help prevent ongoing illegal nighttime activity and dumping that has historically been taking place along Goldfield Drive.
Project Partners
The Goldfield Corridor study is sponsored by the Fountain Mutual Metro District, a local governmental entity that finances and provides public services, like parks, streets, and stormwater. It was created to serve two main functions: stormwater management and parks and recreational purposes.
For more information about the FMMD: fountainmutualmetrodistrict.org/about-us
MMD is conducting and funding the Goldfield Corridor study in partnership with other stakeholders and property owners including:
City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation
and Cultural Services
Colorado Springs Utilities
El Paso County Parks
El Paso County Transportation
Emergency Responders
Fountain Mutual Irrigation Company
Fountain Valley School
Palmer Land Conservancy
Trails and Open Space Coalition
and the community
“I appreciate the commitment of all the partners and community members who have come together to thoughtfully explore the future of the Goldfield Corridor. This collaborative, transparent process is an excellent example of how we can evaluate opportunities and challenges in a way that reflects the community’s voice and balances a variety of interests.”
Joshua Palmer, El Paso County Engineer,
Department of Public Works