CAÑON CITY, Colo. - The Bureau of Land Management Royal Gorge Field Office signed a decision to implement the proposed South Cañon City Trail Development project. This project will provide public access, high quality recreation opportunities and improve recreation management on the land between New York Avenue and Ecology Park. The trail system will also connect Ecology Park with the Section 13 trail system.
“We’re looking forward to working with the community on this project," said recreation planner Kalem Lenard. “The new trails will provide additional access connecting local communities to their public lands."
The public lands in the south Cañon City area provide important recreation opportunities for local residents who use a combination of designated trails, social trails and old roads for hiking, biking and riding horses. These lands provide a ‘backyard’ recreation destination that informally connects with neighborhoods and other trail systems. Construction is tentatively planned to begin on approximately 10 miles of new non-motorized trails identified in the project plan in fall 2016.
The BLM coordinated the project with the Cañon City Area Metropolitan Parks and Recreation District, Fremont County, the City of Cañon City, and the Lower Arkansas Mountain Biking Association. In conjunction with an easement acquired by the Recreation District, the trail connections will provide access to BLM public lands. The Recreation District also purchased another parcel that will serve as a trailhead with parking.
Specific details about the project, including a description of the new trails and a map, are available on the Royal Gorge Field Office webpage. For additional information, please contact Kalem Lenard at 719-269-8538 or email jlenard@blm.gov.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
