Cañon City remembers Walter Schepp for his contributions to community

Walter Schepp donated 160 acres to the Cañon City Area Recreation and Park District in 2016, creating the Schepp Open Space that helped form the South Cañon Trails; the Recreation District and community have publicly remembered him after his recent passing.

The Cañon City Area Recreation and Park District and the Cañon City community recently remembered Walter Schepp following his death. Schepp donated 160 acres to the Recreation District in 2016, and that land became the Schepp Open Space. That parcel was a key piece in plans to connect existing public lands and create the South Cañon Trails. The project involved the City of Cañon City, Fremont County, Fremont Adventure Recreation, and the Bureau of Land Management, and the area opened to the community in 2017. Known details: - In 2016, Walter Schepp donated 160 acres to the Cañon City Area Recreation and Park District. - The land became the Schepp Open Space and was the key piece connecting public lands to form the South Cañon Trails. - The South Cañon Trails opened to the community in 2017 and links areas such as Dawson Ranch Trails, Section 13, Ecology Park, and the Arkansas Riverwalk Trail system. - New features include the flow trail Smooth Criminal, the bike park called The Yard, and trails named Mutton Bustin', Wagon Trail, Schepp Ridge, Gloria's Groove (named for his wife), and ReCycle. - Walter and his wife, Gloria, supported bringing Pueblo Community College to Fremont County and made donations to PCC and the Fremont Humane Society. - Walter was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria. Summary: Walter Schepp's donation enabled a connected trail system in South Cañon that expanded recreational access for walkers, hikers, and bike riders and linked multiple public spaces. His and Gloria's philanthropic support also helped local education and animal welfare. Undetermined at this time.