Saturday, April 16, 2011

Bring your bike and help Larimer County’s Department of Natural Resources dedicate the newest section of the Poudre River Trail and celebrate the grand opening of River Bluffs Open Space, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., Saturday, April 6, 2011! Visitors are encouraged to attend the ceremony and subsequent events throughout the day at this new open space, located near Windsor just north of Hwy. 392 on C.R. 32E.

April 16, 2011

Activity booths open 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Dedication ceremony and official trail breaking at 10:30 a.m.

Guided bird watching and bike tours immediately following dedication ceremony

Full moon hike along the Poudre River at 7:30 p.m.

Activity booths include:

• Poudre Heritage Alliance highlighting the historical significance of the Cache la Poudre River, and Poudre River Trail Incorporated discussing the Poudre River Trail
• Colorado State University Anthropology Department highlighting the cultural resource significance of the site
• Larimer County’s Volunteer Naturalist program providing equipment and expertise for bird watching on the open space
• Spokes Bike Shop bike providing bike tune ups, bike riding ethics, and expert advice

The guided bike tour following the ceremony will highlight some of the significant natural and recreational features in the area. Guided bird watching opportunities will be available throughout the morning until 12:30 p.m.  The full moon hike starts at 7:30 p.m.

Visitors are highly encouraged to carpool and to bring their bikes to this event which will be fun for the whole family. Overflow parking will be provided on-site, with access from the main trailhead on CR 32E.

River Bluffs Open Space is the latest Larimer County Open Space to come online for public use. Funding was provided by theHelp Preserve Open Spaces Sales Tax which the citizens levied on themselves beginning in 1995. Since 1995, the county has preserved over 44,000 acres of land for public recreation, preservation of working farms and ranches, wildlife habitat, cultural resources, and aesthetic values.

River Bluffs Open Space provides for working agriculture, wildlife habitat, and the preservation of significant natural and cultural resources. It also provides a developed trailhead for the regional Poudre River Trail which currently runs south from River Bluffs Open Space 22 miles to Island Grove Park in Greeley. The northern section of the Poudre River Trail currently runs from Bellvue to the Environmental Learning Center in Fort Collins. Filling the ~7-mile gap between the two current end points is the highest priority for the Larimer County Open Lands Program.

Directions to River Bluffs Open Space and information regarding the Department of Natural Resources can be found at www.larimer.org/parkareas.htm

To learn more about Larimer County’s parks and open spaces, go to
www.larimer.org/naturalresources