Coyotes and eagles
and deer -- oh my!
The Sand Creek Regional Greenway is a place to get away from the hustle and
bustle of urban life, without even leaving the city.
The greenway, part of which wraps around the north and east boundary of the
Fitzsimons site, provides nearly 14 miles of hiking, biking and horse trails.
The multi-use trails meander along Sand Creek, a high plains stream that runs
through Aurora, Denver and Commerce City.
The greenway serves as a natural corridor, providing habitat for wildlife,
buffers for fragile waterways and an outdoor oasis for people. It connects
to the High Line Canal and Platte River Greenway making a 50-mile loop of
off-road trails through the Denver Metro area. Sand Creek Regional Greenway
will eventually include 1,400 acres of parks and outdoor recreational amenities.
Panoramic
vistas, diverse ecosystems and views of wildlife await travelers along the
trail. Prairie grassland, wetlands and groves of cottonwoods provide shelter
for deer, fox, beaver, eagles and other wildlife. February is peak season
for spotting the bald eagles.
A juxtaposition of wilderness and urban landscape, the trail passes through
industrial and residential areas, through old airport runway tunnels and past
an urban farm – complete with pigs and horses.
Morrison Nature Center, which sits on Star K Ranch south of Smith Road on
Laredo Street, features historical and interpretive exhibits for all ages.
It is staffed by a park ranger who can answer questions and provide a walking
tour of the area. Star K Ranch boasts 200 acres of walking trails and serves
as a trailhead in Aurora.
In July, a bridge north of Fitzsimons is scheduled to open and will connect
the campus with the trail.
The greenway is a cooperative project among Aurora, Commerce City, Denver,
Sand Creek Regional Greenway Partnership and Stapleton Development Corporation.
More than 1,600 volunteers have helped maintain the trails since it opened
in 2002.
Who would enjoy the Sand Creek Regional Greenway? Joggers, skaters, dog walkers,
bird watchers, people riding bikes and horses, kids and adults, families and
friends. In other words, just about anyone.
The trail is open from sunrise to sunset daily. For more information, contact
the Sand Creek Regional Greenway Partnership at 303-468-3260 or visit www.sandcreekgreenway.org
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