Several metro residents have joined together to file a lawsuit to keep the city from building an education center at the Elena Gallegos Open Space in the Foothills.

Residents formed the nonprofit “Save the Elena Gallegos” and gathered 8,000 signatures on a petition to oppose the building of an education center and keep the open space in its natural environment.

“The Elena Gallegos could not be more perfect than it is in its natural state,” Katrina Sanchez told KRQE. “It is a unique open space in the city. A building would not enhance the space; a building will only detract from it.”

The nonprofit group seeks a permanent ban on any construction in the space. They say the space is more valuable to the community in its wild, natural state, and the construction of a building could affect the scenic views and privacy of people living in the Foothill. Construction could also negatively impact wildlife.

The Parks and Recreation Department told KRQE in a statement that it will review the complaint as the project is still in the public input phase and environmental studies are being conducted.

“The Parks and Recreation Department/Open Space Division is completing further environmental and engineering studies,” the statement read. “No final decisions have been made on whether the City will move forward with an environmental education facility, what that facility might specifically look like, or where it would be located. The Open Space Division would not propose a project that we feel would unacceptably impact the Elena Gallegos Open Space and we will continue to advocate for increased access and social equity in environmental education. As we move forward in the process, further public input opportunities will take place once studies are complete.”