City of Greeley News

The City of Greeley is constructing a new section of the Sheep Draw Trail near the new 71st Avenue bridge south of 10th Street. This 1000-foot section will connect to the existing trail in McCloskey Natural Area, 1212 71st Avenue and the 1.25-mile sections nearing completion at Triple Creek and Mountain Vista Natural Area, 7475 20th Street. To accomplish this work safely, the existing trail will close from the trailhead at 71st Avenue and 12th Street to the Family FunPlex, 1501 65th Avenue, starting today, April 29 through May 6, pending weather. An alternate route would be using sidewalks along 10th Street, 71st Avenue and 16th Street. 

As part of the city’s continued efforts to provide quality trails for the community, work is underway to extend the Sheep Draw Trail from 71st  Avenue to 77th Avenue Construction is nearing completion on the first phase at the west end of the project, which includes a spur trail and parking lot that connects to 20th Street. Construction on the second phase is expected to take approximately 90 days to complete. This phase will connect to the existing Sheep Draw Trail at the west end of McCloskey Natural Area. 

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Trails Program recently awarded a grant to the City of Greeley that will provide funds to construct a larger trailhead at 71st Avenue. That work will begin in late summer and will include a small picnic area and portable restroom. Karen Scopel, Natural Lands Coordinator, stated, “We have observed and increased use of our community’s trails and are committed to provide additional mileage and amenities to meet this demand while offering quality experience for trail users.”

For more information about this project, contact Karen Scopel at 970-339-2417 or karen.scopel@greeleygov.com. For updates on this project visit greeleygov.com/naturalareas.