Fox Run Regional Park spent about a year as a construction site, and the new pond area opens to the public just as the park drops to its winter setup. The renovation was meant to give the park a bigger, accessible space for weddings, outdoor classes and small events. None of those can be booked until 2027. Until then, the new pavilion goes to whoever arrives first.
The work began in the fall of 2025. KKTV reported that it wrapped up during the last full week of August 2026, and that the park was "once again fully open" with "only a few small details left to wrap up." About nine weeks later, the reservation season ends, most of the restrooms close, and the County's own park page still lists one piece of the project as unfinished.
What the money went into
The old wedding gazebo was the reason for the project. A County Park Advisory Board report described it as "beyond its useful life with varying structural issues," and the plan grew to include grading, drainage, ADA parking and access, and trail work around the ponds.
According to the County's completion summary as reported by KKTV, here's what changed around the ponds:
| Before | After |
|---|---|
| Wedding gazebo, about 330 sq. ft. | Pavilion near the amphitheater, about 780 sq. ft. |
| Timber edging and retaining walls along the trails | Decorative concrete walls and curbing |
| Two ponds | Both ponds dredged and relined |
| Pond-side trails | Regraded, better drainage, improved surfaces |
| Limited accessible access | ADA parking plus a sidewalk linking the restrooms, gazebo and amphitheater |
The work also added irrigation, landscaping, electrical and lighting upgrades, exterior repairs on the pond-side restroom, and better ADA access at the amphitheater.
At more than twice the floor area of the old gazebo, the new pavilion is the biggest single change. The County says it's meant for weddings, outdoor classes and small events, all of which are booked in advance.
Who paid for it
An El Paso County Board of County Commissioners agenda item dated October 7, 2025, put the construction contract with Timberline Building Systems before the Board at a cap of $1,434,484.25. The funding came from four sources:
- Conservation Trust Fund: $800,000
- County General Funds: $424,917.25
- LATCF: $109,567
- Urban Park Fee: $100,000
KKTV reported a final project cost of $1,559,665.96. That's $125,181.71 more than the contract cap, and the public documents released so far don't break down the difference.
October 31 ends the booking season, and the pavilion can't be booked anyway
El Paso County Parks takes reservations from April 1 through October 31. Outside that window, the County's reservation page says, "Any El Paso County Park usage outside of our reservation season is considered strictly first come first serve."
The new structure wouldn't be bookable this year even inside that window. The Fox Run park page, updated October 1, says: "The Special Events Gazebo will be available for reservations in 2027."
Bookings for 2027 open "Jan. 4, 2027 at approx. 8 a.m.," per the reservation page, which also lists the Fox Run Warming Hut as a reservable facility.
So the most expensive new piece of the park spends its first fall and winter as an open, first-come space before the wedding calendar fills it next year. If you've wanted a sheltered spot at the ponds for a family photo, a neighborhood walking group or a thermos of coffee after the dog park, this is the window to use it without anyone holding a reservation.
The one restroom open all winter is at the unfinished end of the project
Fox Run has five named restrooms. Starting November 1, four of them close through March 31. The County lists them as:
- Pine Meadows Restroom, southeast of Pavilions 4 and 5
- Oak Meadows Restroom, north of the fields in the parking area
- Fallen Timbers Trailhead Restroom, just inside the parking area
- Roller Coaster Road Trailhead Restroom, just inside the parking area
The Wedding Gazebo Restroom, just north of the gazebo, "is open year round."
That puts the park's only winter restroom right next to the renovated pond area. The same County page still lists this in its accessibility section: "Under Construction: Accessible sidewalks to access the updated Wedding Gazebo and Warming Hut Restrooms."
KKTV's "fully open" and the County's "under construction" describe the same park at different levels of detail. The trails, ponds and pavilion are open. The accessible route to the one restroom that stays open past November 1 is still on the punch list as of the County's October 1 update. If someone in your group uses a wheelchair, a walker or a stroller, call the County Parks Department at (719) 520-7529 before a winter visit.
What stays the same
Some things don't change with the season. Park hours stay 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Fox Run Dog Park is a fenced five-acre off-leash area in the southeast corner, with a separate small-dog section, open "Dawn to Dusk." Dawn to dusk covers fewer hours every week through December, so the dog park's window shrinks even though the rest of the park keeps its 9 p.m. closing.
The relined ponds come with a standing rule. The County parks FAQ says: "We prohibit swimming and the use of any type of watercraft in our parks."
Coming from Black Forest, the County's directions follow Highway 83 to Northgate Road, west half a mile, then north on Roller Coaster Road 1.5 miles to Stella Drive. The park address is 2110 Stella Drive.
Other outdoor options are scaling back too
Fox Run isn't the only nearby outdoor spot switching to winter rules, which is one more reason the renovated ponds may see more winter visitors.
At Pineries Open Space, the trailhead at 13201 Vollmer Road near Shoup Road moves from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. hours in April through October to 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in November through March, according to The Gazette's August trail feature on the 3.4-mile Farrar Loop. After daylight saving time ends, a 6 p.m. close rules out the after-work Pineries walk that worked all summer.
The Black Forest Slash & Mulch site is closed for the season. The County says to check back in spring 2027, with dates and hours still to be announced.
Where things happen indoors through December
As the outdoor schedules shrink, most of the local calendar moves to the Black Forest Community Center at 12530 Black Forest Road.
- Friday, October 23, 7 to 9:30 p.m. Colleen Orender plays a Black Rose Acoustic Society show at the Community Center.
- Saturday, October 31, 3 to 5 p.m. The Black Forest Community Club lists its Trunk or Treat. The listing doesn't give a location, so check with the Club before you go.
- November 4 to 8. The Black Forest Arts and Crafts Guild Fall Show runs at the Community Center: 4 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 4, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 5 through 7, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 8, per The Gazette's holiday craft fair roundup.
- Friday, November 13, 7 to 9:30 p.m. Stray Grass plays the next Black Rose Acoustic Society show at the Community Center.
- December. The Black Forest Community Club homepage says a Christmas Market is "Coming December 2026." No date or details have been posted yet.
If you're planning a Saturday at the Guild show, Fox Run is a short drive away, and the pond loop and new pavilion are open to whoever gets there first until the County starts taking 2027 bookings on January 4.
If you're thinking about a move that puts trails like Fox Run and Pineries closer to home, Colorado's Choice Homes knows how these parks run from season to season. We're available nights and weekends to talk through what fits your routine. Get a Free Home Valuation or Relocation Plan whenever you're ready.
