Another Restore Rainbow Falls cleanup day has been scheduled for Saturday, September 17, 2011 from 8 AM - 12 PM.

Restore Rainbow Falls Project Cleanup- Saturday, September 17, 2011 8am - 12pm

Another major effort to help restore Rainbow Falls! Enjoy a day at the falls while helping to clean up and recreate the area as a recreation destination!

Sponsored by MECA, City of Manitou Springs, and the El Paso County Parks Department. Bring a picnic lunch :-)

When: Sat, Sept. 17, 2011, 8am – 12pm

Where: Rainbow Falls at Serpentine Drive, West of Manitou Springs (Google map)
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Hello Community Volunteers!

There will be another major clean up effort for the Restore Rainbow Falls Project on Saturday, September 17, 2011. Thank you to all the wonderful individuals and organizations that did such a great job last time! Join us! Create Community! Sponsored by Manitou Environmental Citizens' Action, City of Manitou Springs and El Paso County Parks Department.

PLEASE email L'aura Montgomery (lauramonty@gmail.com) if you have any questions.

REGISTRATION: Registration begins at 8am at the entrance to Rainbow Falls with coffee and snacks. Everyone must sign a waiver, and those under 18 must have the signature of a parent. Download the waiver (152KB PDF) .

*** PLEASE complete the waiver(s) prior to registration, if possible, especially those needing a parent signature. They will be collected that morning. ***

THE CLEAN UP: We will be picking up trash along the creek and roadways, and painting over the graffiti on the bridge over Fountain Creek on Serpentine Drive and the bridge at Rainbow Falls that is reachable from the ground. We will also be doing some trail building work along the creek.

What each person can bring:

1. Filled water container for drinking water -(can also be filled at one of the many Manitou Springs, if needed)
2. Work gloves
3. Paint brush (if you want to paint) and reused container to hold paint (a gallon milk container or plastic 2 liter soda bottle - cut open at top, a large old coffee mug, etc...
4. Suitable hiking shoes (closed toe)
5. Weather appropriate (and paint appropriate) clothing
6. Bag lunch, if desired
7. Shovels, picks and other hand tools for trail building, if desired

What we supply:

1. LOTS of dark paint in huge 5 gallon containers
2. Trash bags
3. Vests for those walking/working near the road
4. Coffee at registration
5. Team leaders for each clean up area

What we will NOT be doing -

1. Painting the rocks (blasting will be done by professionals to remove the graffiti on non-man-made surfaces)
2. Going into the rushing water to remove debris
3. Climbing up on the bridge to paint

DIRECTIONS: Rainbow Falls is located West of Manitou off Serpentine Drive. Parking is available at Higgenbothem Flats and along the lower part of Serpentine Dr.
Two ways to get there:

1. Take Manitou Ave through Manitou. Follow until you see the Ute Chief Spring on your right. Bear right onto Serpentine..
2. Take 24 West to the 3rd Manitou exit (Traffic light at Cave of the Winds). At the light, turn left. Park in grass area on right (Higgenbothem Flats, just west of Manitou Springs Storage) and walk down the hill, or go down the hill, around the bend, and park in designated parking spots.

QUESTIONS? I am most accessible via email (I too am a volunteer and also have a full time job). Please email any questions you may have to lauramonty@gmail.com .