Manitou Springs Expands Creek Walk Trail with New Funding

The town of Manitou Springs is buzzing with excitement as they have just secured a significant grant to continue the expansion of their popular Creek Walk trail. This trail, which runs alongside Manitou Avenue and Fountain Creek, is set to get a major boost with a quarter-of-a-million-dollar grant from the Colorado Department of Transportation's Revitalizing Main Streets program. The funds will be used to extend the trail by a third of a mile, connecting Old Man Trail near Memorial Park to Mayfair Avenue, close to the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce. This upcoming extension is part of a larger plan to create six trail segments in total. The most recent addition, completed in October 2023, connected the trail's east end under US 24 to near the town limits at the intersection of Colorado Avenue and Columbia Road. That segment cost around $500, 000, with a significant portion funded by a previous CDOT grant. The Creek Walk trail has become a beloved feature of Manitou Springs, attracting both locals and visitors. Many residents have expressed a desire for sidewalks and a trail connection along Serpentine Drive, the winding road leading to Rainbow Falls. This demand has made trail improvements a top priority for town leaders, who are committed to making the trail accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities, and ensuring it meets federal standards. However, not everyone is thrilled about the potential changes. Some trail users prefer the natural, unpaved sections of the trail and worry that it might become completely paved in the future. Justina Moore, a regular visitor to the trail with her son, Kaedyn, shared her concerns. "I think if you try to take the nature out of a hiking trail, it kinda defeats the purpose and just makes it, like, another sidewalk, " she said. Kaedyn, on the other hand, enjoys the trail's natural features, such as the trees, flowers, and wildlife. For some residents, the trail upgrades are about more than just aesthetics. Marion Ceruzzi, who has lived in Manitou for six years, is hopeful that the extension will be done responsibly, without harming the environment. Safety is another major concern for trail users. Justin Heinze, a frequent runner and biker on the trail, has had close calls with cars and believes that more dedicated spaces for hikers and runners would improve safety. Even visitors from out of town are eager to see the upcoming improvements. Linda Bruha, from Arizona, loves the current trail and is excited about the possibility of exploring even more of Manitou Springs on foot. The bid process for contractors starts next month, and while construction won't begin until after Labor Day weekend, officials are confident that the work will be completed before the annual Emma Crawford Coffin Races in late October.