Work begins on Second Creek trail

COMMERCE CITY – Work has begun on the city’s portion of the Second Creek Greenway Trail, a regional trail that will eventually span 17 miles, from Brighton and Adams County south to Denver and Aurora

The city will be constructing about four miles of trail, extending from approximately 108th Avenue (west of the Buffalo Mesa subdivision) south to 96th Avenue . The soft-surface trail will be built along Second Creek and in open space areas adjacent to the creek. Benches and dog waste stations will be installed along the length of the 10-foot-wide trail.

A crosswalk and flashing lights will be installed at Buckley Road south of 96th Avenue to connect users with the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge Perimeter Trail.

The trail portion is expected to be completed in late August at a cost of $910,000, which includes trail design, engineering, easements and construction. Much of that cost, $767,800, comes from Adams County Open Space grants. The remaining $142,200 will come from the city’s Park Impact Fee Fund, which is generated by new development.

Construction of the trail was spurred by a 2007 survey of residents to help determine park and recreation priorities for Commerce City . The survey was conducted in conjunction with the city’s Strategic Plan for Recreation Programs, Services and Facilities; results ranked walking and biking trails as a top priority.

The Second Creek Greenway Trail is included in the 1999 Prairieways Action Plan (the Parks, Trails and Open Space Master Plan for the Northern Range ). A more detailed plan was completed specifically for the Second Creek Greenway in 2005.

The trail has regional significance, as it will pass through Brighton, Adams County, Commerce City, Aurora, and Denver and connect to the South Platte River Greenway Trail (which is a designated segment of the Colorado Front Range Trail) and the High Line Canal Trail.

Local contractor Belair Excavating is the general contractor for the project. For more information about the Second Creek Greenway Trail, call Commerce City Parks Planner Traci Ferguson at 303-227-8788.