For many outdoor enthusiasts, living in Colorado is nature’s paradise. Abundant trails and well-planned open space make the area a great place to get outdoors. Soon the Town’s most popular trail will be expanded, thanks to the help from a newly awarded Great Outdoors Colorado Grant.
The East Plum Creek Trail is the main trail that travels through Town. It is not only the Town’s most widely used paved trail, but it is also part of a larger statewide trail system called the Colorado Front Range Trail. Now, the Town is working to build the final southern connection in Castle Rock, and was just awarded a $1 million grant to help cover the costs.
Great Outdoors Colorado invests a portion of annual Colorado Lottery revenues into trails, parks, wildlife, open spaces, playgrounds and more. This year, the organization is investing in Castle Rock’s trail system.
Currently, the East Plum Creek Trail travels the 6 miles from Castle View High School to South Perry Street. In addition to daily activity, the trail network is actively used for several special events including Bike to Work Day, Pedal the Moon and the Castle Rock Half Marathon.
Construction of the 2-mile southern section will be the final portion of the trail to be completed by the Town. While plans still need to be finalized, construction is currently scheduled to start in late 2018 or early 2019.
Completion of the entire East Plum Creek Trail corridor was included as a Town priority in the Council-approved 2015 Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The $1 million Great Outdoors Colorado Grant will help offset some of the costs and save money for other trails projects in Town. The grant will require the Town to match funds of an additional $1 million to improve the trail.
While this is the largest Great Outdoors Colorado Grant the Town has ever received, these competitive grants have also helped fund the acquisition of Quarry Mesa Open Space, the acquisition of East Plum Creek Open Space, the construction of East Plum Creek Trail between Meadows Parkway and Wolfensberger Road, and most recently, the construction of the Adventure Playground at Philip S. Miller Park.
The grant is part of Great Outdoor Colorado’s Connect Initiative Program. The program focuses on connecting existing trail gaps and providing more bikeable and walkable access to outdoor recreation.
Learn more about East Plum Creek Trail and stay up-to-date on the project at CRgov.com/EPCTrailProject.
