Arvada West

City Receives Grant To Link Ralston Creek Trail Segments

Aug 09, 2000

Traveling one of the region?’s most popular bike and pedestrian trails will get a little easier in the future thanks to a $40,000 grant awarded in April to the City of Arvada from the State Trails Program. The grant will help plug a gap in the Ralston Creek State Recreational Trail between Pierce and Lamar Streets in southeast Arvada. A creekside equestrian trail is also planned to parallel the bike and pedestrian trail as it links the segments east of Lamar and west of Pierce Streets. Previously, westbound trail users were forced to exit the trail at Lamar Street and use sidewalks or Ralston Road before rejoining the trail at Pierce Street.

When completed, the Pierce to Lamar trail segment will make for one completed trail linkage between Gold Site Park in southeast Arvada and the O?’Kane Farm in the central part of the city, with the exception of the portion between Independence Street and Miller Street, which will remain an on-street trail. Completion of the O?’Kane linkage will occur as part of the development of the park on the nearly 100-acre farm site in 2001 and 2002.

The proposed trail improvements will include a 10?’ wide brushed concrete slab, equestrian posts, directional signage and other amenities in keeping with Arvada?’s high quality trail standards. The trail will serve a variety of users, including bicyclists, joggers, strollers, equestrian riders, and roller bladers. The trail will also provide increased outdoor and recreational opportunities for people with disabilities through design and construction standards that comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Partners in the trail development process will include the Arvada Area Horseman?’s Association and students from nearby Foster Elementary School. Foster students will be involved in trail maintenance activities through an Adopt-a-Trail Program arrangement and will also help document trail planning and construction through a video project. Students from the school have previously participated in clean-up of this part of the stream corridor as part of their observance of Earth Day.