Pikes Peak Greenway

Pikes Peak Greenway Trail - North of Austin Bluffs - Pikes Peak in the background
Pikes Peak Greenway Trail - North of Austin Bluffs - Criterium Bike Shop mural
Pikes Peak Greenway Trail - North of Austin Bluffs - Monument Creek
Pikes Peak Greenway Trail - North of Austin Bluffs

Pikes Peak Greenway is a 16 mile trail in Colorado Springs, Colorado that parallels Monument and Fountain Creeks and winds through and alongside parks, like Monument Valley Park, and sports complexes. It connects with other trails, such as the Midland Trail, Bear Creek Trail and Templeton Gap Trail.

Overview

The greenway is a 16 mile that runs north to south. Pine Creek Reach, north of Woodman Road, is the north-most point on the trail. Sand Creek Reach at the El Pomar Youth Sports Complex, south of Circle Drive, is the south-most point on the trail.[1][2] It is classified as an easy trail that parallels Monument Creek, Fountain Creek and I-25. The estimated cycling time is 1.25 hours, without stops. Criterium Bike shop is located along the trail at 6150 Corporate Drive for any needed bike repairs.[3]

History

In the 1980s the concept of a greenway was developed, but it wasn't until 1997 that a Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund (GOCO) Legacy Grant was able to provide sufficient funds to get the project started. Trails, Open Space and Parks taxes matched the grant funds. The Palmer Foundation and the City of Colorado Springs also provided funding for the Pikes Peak Greenway. Then, private land that was needed to complete the trail was purchased.[4]

In 2000 the Greenway trail was connected to the New Santa Fe Regional Trail, which allows joggers, bikers, cyclists and skaters to travel past the United States Air Force Academy and up to Palmer Lake. A golden spike was ceremoniously driven into the ground to signify "the opening of a long-sought stretch of trail."[4]

Trail reaches

The points along the trail, from north to south, are:[2]

See also

References

  1. "Pikes Peak Greenway Trail". City of Colorado Springs. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Pikes Peak Greenway Trail Map, and its submaps". City of Colorado Springs. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  3. "Pikes Peak Greenway Trail". Bike Colorado. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  4. 1 2 Deb Acord (March 17, 2000). "City gets green backbone". The Gazette (accessed via HighBeam Research). Colorado Springs, CO.
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Coordinates: 38°51′34.56″N 104°49′56.14″W / 38.8596000°N 104.8322611°W / 38.8596000; -104.8322611

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