Newest Natural Area
Greeley’s Newest Natural Area is a 978-acre expanse of prairies, bluffs, and arroyos located between Greeley and Windsor, near Missile Site Park. Visitors experience magnificent plateaus and stunning mountain and valley views. Together, the City of Greeley, Mundus Bishop, and Trust for Public Land are putting the community's voice first in this project. Register for this project on Speak Up Greeley to share your dreams for the new natural area, suggest a name for the property and stay informed. It will take many years before the community's vision for this natural area is achieved. We need your help to make this community vision a reality. Read more about this long-range project.
NOTE: Missile Site Park is closed to public access until further notice.
Greeley #3 Canal Trail
This trail will connect northern Greeley neighborhoods to local parks, schools and more. Construction of Phases 2 and 3 of the Greeley #3 Canal Trail are underway.
Phase 2 will connect the southeast end of the trail across 4th St. to Madison Elementary School. A crossing signal across 4th St. will improve safety for children traveling to/from the school or the Boys and Girls Club. Phase 3 will add 0.6 mile of paved trail westward across 35th Ave. to connect to the Larson Trail. This section will offer access to Shawsheen Elementary School via the Larson Trail. Existing trails will remain open during construction. For safety, please avoid construction areas.
Combined length of the two new sections is 0.86 mile. Total length of the trail including the existing part will be 1.6 miles. Construction starts in late 2022 with completion by spring 2023.
Funding comes from a Multi-Modal Options grant from the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization, and matching funds from City of Greeley, School District 6 and Poudre River Trail Corridor, Inc. Total project cost will be around $800,000.
Island Grove Trailhead
The Island Grove trailhead provides access to the eastern end of the Poudre River Trail. The new trailhead features a 30-car parking lot, ADA parking, restroom facilities, bike repair station, and public art. An informational sign will be installed at the new kiosk in 2023. This project was funded by Quality of Life tax funds.
McCloskey Natural Area Trailhead
Improvements to the McCloskey Natural Area trailhead include a new 25-car parking lot, port-a-let structure, seating and tables. An informational kiosk will be installed in 2023. This project was funded by a State Trails grant from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Poudre Ponds Recreational Fishery
Through this construction project, City of Greeley’s Water and Sewer Department:
- provided flood protection to the ponds;
- added more non-potable water storage capacity;
- provided the ability to move water between the ponds.
Natural Areas & Trails partnered with Colorado Parks & Wildlife to improve fish habitat in the pond. Adding concrete and woody debris to the pond gives fish places to shelter and grow. NAT staff also made improvements to the parking areas and trail sections. The property is now open and people are welcome to fish and boat on the pond (non-motorized use only). A few finishing touches will be added to the site in 2023.
Read more about this project, including stocking schedule and which fish species live in the pond.
Pumpkin Ridge Natural Area Bridge
In late 2020, the Public Works Department started a project to provide a neighborhood connection to Sheep Draw Trail. The trail spur from 63rd Ave. was constructed at that time. The City is in process of obtaining a floodplain permit from FEMA. This permit is required to install the bridge across the creek to connect this spur to Sheep Draw Trail north of 10th St. A construction date has not been determined.
Hazelton Park – Sheep Draw Trail Bridge
A new bridge across Sheep Creek along with a soft path will connect Hazelton Park and the neighborhood to Sheep Draw Trail on the south side of the creek. The bridge is in the design and fabrication phase with installation anticipated in mid-2023.