“Helping to build Manitou Springs' future through
the promotion of recreational activities and the
enhancement of our parks and trails….”

Manitou Springs Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
City Hall, 606 Manitou Avenue Manitou Springs, CO

The parks of Manitou Springs provide a link with the town's past, accentuate the beauty of its natural setting, and afford a multitude of leisure-time activities for residents and visitors alike. Map of Maintou Springs Parks.

Manitou Springs serves as the gateway to some of the most scenic trails in the mountain west. From the Barr Trail ascending Pikes Peak, to the hike through Waldo Canyon , to hidden passageways through historical railroad tunnels, we have trails to suit the rugged enthusiast as well as the more casual hiker, all with the opportunity to capture nature at its best. . Map of Manitou Springs Parks and Trails (pdf).

Beginning in 2005, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PARAB) launched a grants program, designed to encourage public involvement and implement creative ideas through local projects and activities, in order to enhance our local parks, trails, and recreational areas, and for the benefit and enjoyment for residents and visitors. Grant application (pdf).

Manitou Springs….a great place to be outside.

The Manitou Springs Park and Recreation Advisory Board (PARAB) is seeking proposals from local individuals, collaborative groups, nonprofit organizations, and businesses, to bring activities, cultural events, recreation projects and art to the Manitou community. Activities may be one-time events, and recreation (no construction projects) to the Manitou community. Activities may be one-time events, or part of an ongoing series.

Organizations, businesses and collaborative groups located in Manitou Springs are eligible for funding up to $1,000 while individuals can apply for $500 mini-grants.

The purpose of the program is three-fold: a) to provide an opportunity for Manitou Springs residents to implement creative ideas through local projects, leisure activities, and recreation; b) to provide engaging experiences within the community for the benefit and enjoyment of residents and visitors; and c) to enhance our local parks, trails, and recreational areas . Currently, applications will be accepted twice per year and grants will be provided from an annual pool of $3,000, set aside by PARAB.

The Spring 2008 Grant Application deadline is Monday, March 24, 2008. Recommendations will be reviewed for approval at the April 2008 Board meeting. The Fall 2008 Grant Application deadline is Friday, September 26, 2008. Recommendations will be reviewed for approved at PARAB's October 6, 2008 meeting. City Council approval may also be required .

Applications must be typed; project budgets must be included. Forms may be accessed on our Web site or obtained at The Chamber of Commerce or The Manitou Springs Library. Completed applications and budget forms must be returned to the Finance Office at City Hall no later than 5:00 p.m. on the due date.  Questions can be answered by emailing kelly@ruprechtdesign.com or calling Jan Rose at 238-9809.

To be eligible for grant funding, applicants must: a) be living or operating in the community of Manitou Springs; b) provide all requested information regarding the project and an implementation plan; and c) present a budget reflecting all expected revenues and related expenses, and describing the specific items/purpose for which PARAB funds are being requested. The community grants opportunity is meant to cover project costs and is not meant to be a money-making opportunity for the applicant.

Please submit one original and four copies of the grant application to:

Park and Recreation Advisory Board Members
City Hall - Finance Office
606 Manitou Avenue
Manitou Springs, CO 80829

General Guidelines

• Applications must be typed; handwritten applications can no longer be accepted.
• A committee of representatives from PARAB and the City of Manitou Springs will review all applications and determine which applicants will receive funding. Selected applicants will be presented at the next meeting of City Council for final approval. Applicants will be notified of this decision and availability of funding.
• Activities or projects are intended to be completed and grant funds spent before the end of the year.
• Activities should appeal to a large audience; while all activities need not specifically be geared toward youth, the content should be family-friendly.
• Activities may be completely new events or part of an ongoing series. (For example, organizations that typically hold a free summer concert series would be eligible to apply to bring their concert to the park for one or more days within the grant period.)
• Preference will go to individuals or groups showing a collaborative effort with others in the community.
• Events should be free or at a very low cost.
• A wide variety of activities are encouraged, and selection will be based, in part, on the committee’s desire to provide a diverse mix of events on as many days/evenings as possible. Further, the committee encourages recreational and sports activities, as well as more nontraditional events such as outdoor film screenings, juggling/magic, chalk art, interpretive hikes for children and adults, interactive hands-on art projects, etc.
• Please note that funding of $1,000 is the maximum grant available, and funding of that size would most likely be reserved for a large, hands-on project or festival-type event.
• Additional documentation may be requested in order to complete the application process and/or receive final approval of grant funding.