Commerce City announces opening of open space trail and overlook

COMMERCE CITY – Mayor Paul Natale and City Council members will announce the grand opening of the Prairie Gateway Open Space Trail and Overlook on Saturday, June 27. Area residents are invited to join the celebration, beginning at 9 a.m. at the open space, just north of the Civic Center (take Prairie Parkway to Gateway Road and look for the tents).

The open space trail is the latest addition to Commerce City’s trail system. It loops around the perimeter of the Prairie Gateway Open Space, a 190-acre parcel that lies between the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge and the Civic Center.

“With completion of this trail, City Council has shown its ongoing commitment to enhancing residents’ quality of life,” said Mayor Natale.

“We are dedicated to promoting an active, healthy lifestyle, and we have been recognized by our peers for projects such as this trail, as well as our many other health initiatives,” he said, citing the city’s 2008 Healthiest Community Award.

The open space loop offers 2.4 miles of soft-surface pathway for walking jogging, biking and other exercise. It connects with the wildlife refuge perimeter trail at Quebec Parkway.

The overlook is located on a high point of the open space, toward the northern end. The two-tiered platform structure is made of concrete and colored stone rock, with a compass etched on the floor of the top tier. A shade structure covers four tables on the top tier; the bottom tier offers benches and landscaping with native plants.

The trail and overlook were constructed this spring at a cost of $450,000. Funding came in part from two grants, an Adams County Open Space grant for $84,000 and a $200,000 grant from Great Outdoors Colorado.

Along with the trail opening, the city is celebrating National Trails Day, as well as Arbor Day and Commerce City’s Tree City USA designation, its 18th consecutive award. The Arbor Day celebration was postponed from its April date due to weather. Tree seedlings will be available to attendees to promote tree planting and care throughout the community.

Representatives from the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will also be on hand with conceptual drawings of the refuge’s planned visitors’ center. Short tours of the refuge to view the bison will also be available.

For more information on this trail or the event, contact Parks Planner Traci Ferguson at 303-227-8788.