(Aspen, CO) The portion of the Rio Grande trail that runs through Woody Creek could see improvements as early as this fall. The public is invited to an Open House at the Woody Creek Community Center on July 14th from 5 to 6:30 pm to discuss proposed trail improvements and give input to Pitkin County Open Space and Trails officials. A staff-led walkthrough of the trail is planned at 6:30 pm.
Open Space is nearing the end of a lengthy “public scoping” process that has included meetings with cyclists, equestrians and the Woody Creek Caucus Planning Committee. Officials now want to hear from anyone else interested in the portion of the trail that runs through Woody Creek from the end of the paved portion where it intersects Upper Woody Creek Road to where it meets McLain Flats Road on the W/J hill.
“We’re ready to show the public how we’ve incorporated input from user groups into trail design and enhancements,” said Open Space and Trails Stewardship and Trails Manager, Gary Tennenbaum.
The trail will be “dual surface” with pavement for cyclists and a soft surface for equestrians and other users. Surfaces will be separated on approximately 60% of the 2.5 mile trail through Woody Creek.
“Cyclists and equestrians have expressed interest in having a separation between their uses. We have been able to come up with a trail design that creates a buffer between them on the majority of this section of trail,” said Open Space Recreation Planner, Lindsey Utter.
After the Open House on July 23rd, Open Space officials will meet with the full Woody Creek Caucus and take comments to the Open Space and Trails Board in early August where a decision is expected to be made to begin improvements. Construction could get underway as early as this fall.
A map of the trail and proposed improvements will be posted at the Woody Creek Community Center until August 1st.