City celebrates opening of Mary Starsmore Discovery Plaza

The City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department will celebrate the opening of the Mary Starsmore Discovery Plaza with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, June 17 at 11 a.m. at the Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center, 2120 S. Cheyenne Cañon Rd.

The new plaza expands outdoor educational opportunities at the entrance to North Cheyenne Cañon Park and provides an inviting gathering space for school programs, community events and interpretive learning. The project included construction of the outdoor plaza and classroom space, ADA-accessible pedestrian improvements, public restroom renovations, parking enhancements and other site improvements designed to improve accessibility and enhance the visitor experience. The plaza is named in honor of Mary Starsmore, whose generosity and support helped transform her former home into the Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center, creating a lasting community resource.

"Mary Starsmore's passion created a lasting foundation for learning and stewardship in North Cheyenne Cañon Park," said Cathy Railton, Parks Operations Administrator. "This new plaza honors her legacy while creating additional opportunities for residents and visitors to explore, learn and connect with the natural world."

North Cheyenne Cañon Park welcomes approximately 450,000 visitors each year. As the primary gateway to the park, the Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center will serve as a hub for environmental education, visitor information and community programming.

Funding was provided through a combination of City and community partnership sources, including support from the City's Office of Accessibility, the Lodgers and Automobile Rental Tax (LART), the Mary Starsmore Fund of the Pikes Peak Community Foundation, Friends of Cheyenne Cañon, and the North Cheyenne Cañon Park Ambassadors Gift Trust.

Members of the public are invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebrate the completion of the project.