Vision and persistence made trail a reality

It took awhile -- about 15 years, actually -- to build a trail to stretch from east Greeley all the way to Windsor. It also took a bit of money -- about $6 million of private and in-kind donations.

But it couldn't have been done without the vision of the Greeley, Windsor and Weld County residents who started talking about a trail along the Poudre in the 1970s or the people who have made that vision a reality since then.

The last section of the Poudre River Trail, which stretches from Rover Run Dog Park, 5207 F St., to the end of 59th Avenue in Greeley, was recently opened. The new section of the trail is actually soft trail right now, but concrete may be installed later this summer if enough money can be raised. This addition fills the last missing piece of the 20-mile trail, which now runs continuously from Island Grove Regional Park to Colo. 392 in Windsor.

The trail has become one of the greatest gems of Weld County, and the recent addition makes it even more so.

It's a place to enjoy a stroll, skate, ride or run, but it's also an amazing resource to tap to get back to nature. Trail users can spot an array of wildlife -- from bull frogs and turtles to eagles, owls and red foxes -- as well as take in the natural beauty of the open land, natural vegetation and the river.

If you haven't headed out there yet, you should.

We just can't say enough about the trail.

And, we can't wait for the day that the east side of the trail extends to Riverside Park in Evans and the west side of the trail extends to Fort Collins.

FOR MORE

For more information about the Poudre River Trail, how to volunteer or to donate, go to www.poudretrail.org. Donations also can be addressed to Poudre River Trail Inc. and mailed to Poudre River Trail Corridor, 1100 10th St., Suite 100, Greeley, CO 80631.