A proposal for a new Spring Creek Hiking Trail goes before the Park & Recreation Commission on Wednesday, August 8, 2018. The new trail runs adjacent to the existing Spring Creek Trail and would help minimize conflicts as well as legitimize portions of unsanctioned paths that have been in use for years.
The new proposed hiking trail would start near the existing Spring Creek Trail and be constructed with a goal of being sustainable and low maintenance. The trail would exist entirely on city property and gently gain elevation to the Steamboat Gardens Ditch (an unsanctioned trail) where it is culverted. The new trail would follow the culverted section, bypassing a steep, rocky section. It would then exit off of the Gardens Ditch to a newly constructed section of trail, which would safely cross the downhill bike trail and connect to the existing Spring Creek Trail.
The city is close to reaching an agreement with the water rights owners that will allow the city to culvert a portion of the ditch. The new downhill bike trail will travel on top of a portion of the ditch and the city will also create a new hikers only trail that would help address trespass concerns and minimize user conflicts.
Looking back to the early 1990's, the Spring Creek Mountain Park Master Plan identified a corridor for the Spring Creek Trail to be constructed. Several social trails existed on private and public property that were not included in the trails plan. One of these social trails was on the Steamboat Gardens Ditch irrigation delivery system.
In 2017, the Parks & Recreation Commission endorsed the construction of a downhill directional trail next to the existing Spring Creek Trail. The downhill bike alignment must cross the Gardens Ditch.
As staff worked with neighboring property owners, all parties identified an opportunity to address the unsanctioned trail and impacts from users on the Gardens Ditch and nearby properties. The proposed Spring Creek Hiking Trail addresses those. If approved, the new trail will be maintained by the city and subject to seasonal wildlife closures December 1 - April 15 each year.
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Contact:
Craig Robinson, Interim Parks & Recreation Director, 970.871.7034 or email
Brad Setter, Howelsen Hill, Parks, Open Space Supervisor, 970.871.7035 or email
Michael Lane, Communications Manager, 970.871.8220 or email