Improvements are coming to the 71st Avenue Sheep Draw Trailhead in West Greeley.
Construction on the trailhead starts Wednesday, Sept. 18 and runs through Sept. 27. Sheep Draw Trail will remain open during construction with the exception of the 71st Ave. trailhead, located at the McCloskey Natural Area, 1212 71st Ave., which will close during construction. Trail access is still available from the trailheads at the Family FunPlex, 1501 65th Ave. and the parking lot at the Mountain Vista Natural Area, 7475 20th St.
With the recent completion of the new section of the Sheep Draw Trail west of 71st Ave., the existing trailhead parking lot is no longer large enough to accommodate the anticipated increase in use. The city recently received a grant from Colorado Parks and Wildlife State Trails program that will help create a suitable parking area at the McCloskey Natural Area — expanding parking from nine spaces to 30 spaces. Other improvements include a portalet, picnic table, and benches.
AB Underground, the contractor that recently completed the new trail sections, is doing the earthwork this week. The Weld County Youth Conservation Corps will install fencing and parking blocks and other site work next week.
In the past year, the City of Greeley greatly expanded its trail system on the western side of the city. Earlier this year crews built thousands of feet of new trail west of 71st Avenue to connect Greeley housing developments to Greeley’s trail system and through that to the Poudre River Trail. As a part of Keep Greeley Moving’s 71st Avenue expansion project last year, the city completely replaced Sheep Draw Bridge on 71st Avenue south of 12th Street, allowing for the expansion and connection of the Sheep Draw Trail beneath the new bridge.
Visit the Explore Greeley map and Natural Areas and Trails website, greeleygov.com/activities/natural-areas, to learn more about places in Greeley where you can walk, bike, fish, and enjoy nature.
For more information, contact Karen Scopel, Environmental Planner, Greeley Natural Areas & Trails Division, 970-350-9279 or karen.scopel@greeleygov.com.