DID YOU EVER WONDER: How far around Prospect Lake, where a deceased's meds go, Wal-Mart at Soaring Eagles and more

A couple of friends and I have been walking around Prospect Lake for a while and there has been discussion as to how far one lap around the lake is.  One friend says 1.25 miles and another says 1.50 miles.  Could you clear this up for us?
— Marcia

ANSWER: The city’s Parks and Recreation Department officially goes with your friend’s 1.25 miles measurement.
The department has also mapped out two 5K and a 2.2 mile perimeter path around the whole park, all 196.1 acres.
For a map go to the department’s site at springsgov.com

Why does the coroner remove medications?

I understand that when a person dies at home, the coroner picks up that person’s meds/prescriptions and takes them away. Any truth to this statement?
— Jim Sutherland

It’s true and it’s a legal issue.

Coroner’s investigator Dawn Miller explained that if the medications were left in the home, the person or persons still residing there would illegally be in possession of drugs/medications belonging to another person. It is against the law to possess another person’s meds.

“We inventory all of them and destroy them properly. We’ve covered all the grounds, the legality and properly disposing of the medications,” Miller said.

So, you see, it also stops people from damaging the environment and water supply by improperly flushing the drugs down the toilet or crushing them up and washing them down the drain or dumping them in the trash.

Where’s the Soaring Eagles’ Wal-Mart?

I’m wondering what happened with the big box store for the corner of Powers and the Soaring Eagles subdivision?
— Wanda

There was an uproar when residents thought  a Wal-Mart was coming into their neighborhood several years ago.
City planner Mike Schultz explained that only a concept plan had been prepared for the site. It was “just conceptual in nature” and a basic design for any possible retail center.

Residents didn’t understand the difference between a concept plan and a development plan, he said.

Now, he said, the site is being marketed and if someone comes in with a formal plan for development they will move forward. “Wal-Mart is not involved,” he pointed out.

What ‘alternate routes?’

I am wondering about that sign and light at the northbound I-25 onramp and Fillmore and others around town that say “Emergeny Alternate Route.” What are they for?
— Kathy Carson

When all programming and timing is completed and tested the system will show drivers how to negotiate through town when there’s an emergency closure on the interstate.

City traffic engineer Rob Helt said, "We have completed the background programming and timing component of the systems and have performed some preliminary testing at several locations including Austin Bluffs and Garden of the Gods.  Although the original design was to keep the signs simple, the initial indications are that the signs need to be larger.  We are continuing industry research and discussing options with other system managers."
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