Poudre River Trail

Poudre River Trail Corridor

2003 WINNER OF THE AMERICAN TRAILS WEB SITE CONTEST
From 88 entrants in the 2003 American Trails Website Contest, www.poudretrail.org was chosen the winner in the " Designated National Recreation Trail site " category. American Trails launched the first-ever contest to seek out the best websites of trails and greenways. The judges looked for sites that really make trails come alive, and provide effective information delivery, support volunteers, and engage the public. The goal of the contest is to show ways that advocates and agencies are making a difference for trails. To look at all the winners visit the American Trails Web Site.

NEW VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

It's springtime on the Poudre River Trail. Lots of new trail has been put in place over the past two years and with that comes lots of opportunities for individuals, families, and groups to help as a Poudre River Trail Volunteer.

Some volunteer jobs can be done in a crew of 6-15 people; other jobs need just one or two. Some jobs require little more than good observation with ears and eyes. Some jobs require carpentry skills; others are physical. So whether you like to be alone or in a crowd; whether you like to work with plants or with a computer; there is a volunteer spot for you on the Poudre River Trail.

Some jobs can be done in an hour or two - on an evening after work or over lunch. Some jobs require up to a half-day, usually set up for Saturday work crews. Some jobs need to be done regularly; others are one-time only. So whether you have an occasional hour-a-week or even a day-per-month, there is a volunteer spot for you on the Poudre River Trail.

Please call Nancy at (970)352-3829 or e-mail us at for more information on how you, family or friends can be a Poudre River Trail Volunteer.

NEEDED: Groups, Organizations to Adopt-a-Trail section.

Adopt a section of your Poudre River Trail. Keep your section in tip-top shape. Have fun together and feel good about the time invested. Plan a monthly work morning followed by a group picnic on the Trail. Spend two evenings after work with volunteers contributing to a potluck supper. Schedule an exercise group to do a lunchtime walk each week. Plan whatever works best for you.

Contact the Trail office at (970)336-4044 or e-mail us at or e-mail us for details on how your group or organization can Adopt-a-Trail section.

PHOTO CONTEST

Are you a Poudre Trail enthusiast that likes to take photos? American Trails is sponsoring a contest for photographs of National Recreation Trails across the country - and the Poudre River Trail is one of the designated National Recreation Trails! American Trails will provide awards in several categories and show off the entries on the NRT website. The goal is to highlight the diversity of the NRT's and to make more Americans familiar with these great trails. They are looking for good photos - in every season - of trail users, features of interest, signs, special facilities, management issues, construction, and volunteers.

The deadline is June 30, 2003. Visit the American Trails website to get the entry form. Help up showcase the Poudre River Trail to people all over the world. And please let us know if you enter and especially if you win an award! And, if you have photos you'd like to share with us to use on the Poudre River Trail website please e-mail.

TRAILS ACROSS TIME . . . TRAILS ACROSS ADVERSITY
Bob Searns, a long-standing advocate of trails, both in Colorado and across the nation, recently wrote an article about the role of trail advocates and trails in these times of challenge - war, drought and economic problems. In the article he stated, "Trails and greenways are places that help us be in the moment. They are not strictly utilitarian or perfunctory, they are places of regeneration and peace. Even in a crisis, especially in a crisis, we need that." Searns goes on to share, "As outdoor author Philip Ferranti put it, these places grant us 'freedom from the artificial.' Walking on a trail, peddling a bike or paddling a canoe is movement under our own power. Paul Gruchow, author of Boundary Waters, says that this transcends time in a way that connects us with those who walked this way 10,000 years ago and those who will walk this way 10,000 years from now. More importantly, it connects us with ourselves. Or, as Gruchow says, it takes us beyond the workaday notion of action for perfunctory gain and allows us the 'luxury of viewing life as an unfolding of gifts.' These are not superfluous things. Indeed, they go to the heart of what humanity is all about." Trail Tracks, American Trails Newsletter, Spring 2003

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE OPENING- SUPPORTS THE TRAIL
On opening night of the new Outback Steakhouse in Greeley you have a chance to open your heart. Come for a bonzer night of Aussie tucker, share your personal trail stories with staff at the informational display and support the Poudre Trail. When you order your favorite meal the Outback will make a generous contribution to the Poudre River Trail. The Grand Opening will be held Monday December 8, 2003 at the new restaurant location at 4650 Centerplace Drive from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m (near the new Target off of Highway 34). For more information contact Hilary Thissen at 970-336-4044.

BUY POUDRE MERCHANDISE ONLINE
Buy some cool items and support the trail at the same time! Click here to browse and buy Poudre Trail Merchandise.

Penelope is a Cacheus poudreus, an imaginary fuzzy gray mammal that can be found along the banks of the Poudre River in Colorado. She is the Poudre Trail’s Mascot. Stuffed animals are available of Penelope and her friends, as well as a coloring book of their adventures.

The Poudre Trail has other fabulous products for sale including a trail mug you can purchase online. We also have t-shirts and sweatshirts in limited quantities and these are not sold online. You can buy these items by going to our merchandise racks at Greeley City Hall (1000 10th Street) or the City of Greeley Community Development Office (1100 10th Street, 2nd Floor). You call also inquire about these products by calling (970) 336-4044.

CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS
Want to give a meaningful gift that won't have to be returned the day after Christmas?! Make a donation to the Poudre River Trail this holiday season and make a difference. By sending a gift of $25 or more a person you choose will be sent a specially designed and personalized holiday greeting card informing them of the donation. All gifts received are tax deductible (check with your tax advisor) and doubled through matching grants, making your contribution even more valuable. Please send gifts by December 15th, 2003 to the Poudre River Trail Office at 1100 10th Street, Suite 202, Greeley, Colorado, 80631. Include the names and address of the person or family you wish to have the holiday card sent to.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
This last spring and summer work was done to realign the Island Grove section of trail to the North side of the Poudre River. The existing ½ mile of trail will be used to create a loop around the gravel ponds in the future. At Rover Run Dog Park the trail was extended from the RR tracks south to connect into the Dog Park.

Just over a mile of trail was constructed in the Windsor area, west of Eastman Park along with a ribbon cutting ceremony held in June to officially open the newly installed bridge located at the site.

With this past summers construction the trail is now 15 miles long with the remaining 5 looking to be constructed within the 2004 season. For more detailed information contact the Poudre Trail Office at 970-336-4044 or 970-350-9783.

WORK DAYS
Thanks again to all of the volunteers who donated their time and resources to improve the trail this past summer. A very successful tree planting project was held during October and November where 18 trees and 128 bushes were planted along the section of trail between 83rd Ave and 95th Ave. A good group of volunteers donated their time to prep the sites, plant, mulch, weed, and water. All of the plants, mulch, and tree wrap was donated to the Poudre River Trail by the Windsor Gardener, Happy Life Gardens in Evans, Eaton Grove and Highland Nursery here in Greeley thanks to the hard work of Diana Rehmer and Joanne Jensen. We also want to acknowledge all of the volunteers who have signed up to water the plants this winter and spring. Thanks!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Work days are over for the season but we can still use your help! Listed below are projects we are in need of help with and can be accomplished on an individual basis:

Construction of a water tanker rack
Clear weeds from planting beds
Pickup trash

News Archives
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