​As the young and young-at-heart took turns riding loops at the newly opened bike skills park – dubbed The Yard – onlookers cheered. It wasn’t just the gravity-defying feats they celebrated, but also the addition of a new outdoor recreation amenity that will offer year-round enjoyment for all.

On May 5th at 5:30 pm, The Cañon City Area Recreation and Park District (CCRD), Fremont Adventure Recreation (FAR), and the City of Cañon City held the ribbon cutting for the skills park, located at the Eagle Wing Trailhead at South Canon Trails. About 80 people, including children as young as 3 years old, attended the event and took turns riding the 13 new manmade features and two independent trails that make up the park. Local riders are excited about park, which offers opportunity for skills progression and a great counterpart to the adjacent flow trail – Smooth Criminal – and moderate trails at South Cañon.
“The Yard Bike Park is fantastic,” says Cañon City resident Tenille Lenard. Lenard’s son, Mason, was part of the planning process for the project. Her two children, ages 12 and 9, enjoy the park and its proximity to both the Riverwalk and Centennial Park. “You can enjoy both trail riding, as a family, and then sit and watch your kids jump and play at the park. You can also head straight downtown to enjoy some food, too.”
With trails designed and cut by local trail builders at Terra Firma Trails and features built by Progressive Bike Ramps, the park is now ready to open to mountain bike and BMX riders.
“For me, the overall community involvement is the best part,” says trail designer Steve Thomas of Terra Firma Trails. “The community helped in every way possible.” Community members assisted with post hole digging, trail finishing, sign design, safety videos, and more. “I’m also proud of our team that pulled off the project in a short amount of time. I was excited to see everyone out there and hope everyone stays safe and has fun!”
The most important safety points for using a skills park are:

1. Always wear a helmet.
2. Ride within your abilities.
3. Check that your bike is in good working order.
4. Go SLOW your first few times. Pre-ride, re-ride, then free-ride.

Located at the Eagle Wing Trailhead off of Colburn Lane, The Yard is the culmination of planning, fundraising, and collaborative efforts by the Cañon City Area Recreation and Park District, The City of Cañon City, and FAR. Over 100 donors contributed funds to the project, and local businesses that participate in the 1% for Trails program made the project financially possible.

The park is open to bicycle traffic only and is not open to motorized riders. Land managers ask that the community please respect this rule as well as closures when trails are muddy.  All  users of the bike park should exercise caution when participating in any recreation activities.  
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The Yard and the Eagle Wing parking area are closed from dusk to dawn every night.  This has greatly reduced vandalism in the area and the facility is adjacent to a neighborhood.  Users are asked to be respectful of the surrounding neighbors.  

1. Wear ALL appropriate safety gear and check your bike!
The skills park is designed for fun, but that often involves an element of caution. ALWAYS wear a helmet and other appropriate safety gear. Check your bikes' brakes, shocks, through-axles (wheels), and spokes before you attempt any features. 

2. Ride at your skill level
​It's important to know that the park is designed for those who have existing mountain bike skills. Those who are interested in beginner lines (for learning the skills of handling a mountain bike, making turns, etc. are encouraged to try the nearby trails - Mutton Bustin', Recycle, and Schepp's Ridge. 

3. Use the go-arounds if you need to
Features range from rollers to ladder drops to 3', 4' and 5' kickers. (Kickers do exactly what their name suggests - aid bikers in jumping their bike into the air.) Most features have a "go-around", which is designed to aid those who are ready to tackle some elements on a line, but not all. 

4. Heed directional signs
Directional signs have been placed to aid in the safety and enjoyment for all. Downhill lines are for going down hill ONLY. The "climbing" line is located at the eastern edge of the park and will allow riders to climb to the top of the lines without interfering with the directional flow of the featured lines. 

5. Be patient and kind 
All riders will be at different skill levels. Be encouraging and kind, and NEVER rush another user. Everyone is learning. ​

Back in 2014-5, when multiple user groups  and agencies got together to create a master plan for recreation and use in Eastern Fremont County, a trail from the Riverwalk (via Tunnel Drive) to the Royal Gorge Trails (via Fremont Peak area) was identified as a potential project and asset to our community. Now in 2021, the EA is complete, the planning is done, and the project is getting closer to completion. High above the Arkansas River, trailbuilders are working diligently to create one of the most intense, bold, ambitious trails ever built in Fremont County. It is a trail that is not only beautiful and challenging, but it povides a key connection between town, Tunnel Drive, and the Royal Gorge Mountain Park and Trails.  

From an article in the Daily Record: “This trail would increase access to two local trail systems and improve the outdoor recreation opportunities in the area,” said Keith Berger, Royal Gorge Field Office Manager. 

It's happening. But it's not open yet. 

Please note that the seasonal closures for this trail are a compromise between the needs of several user groups, including native wildlife. The closure for June and July are for lambing (to be sure that ewes are not expending calories running from trail users and therefore in need of extra calories to feed their young). Reduced hours in August-October are to accommodate hunters who have pulled a coveted Bighorn Sheep tag (about 8 are issued, and hunters utilize dawn and dust time frames to hunt). ​

The City of Cañon City is engaging the public in a vote for the name of the trail. To particpate, please visit the poll here. 

Please only vote once. 

Construction on The Yard has begun! 

As you know, many months have passed since the site was reviewed and approved for construction. The land owner - the Cañon City Area Recreation and Park District - has been a tremendous partner and has supported the project since it was presented as a two-phase project (along with Smooth Criminal flow trail). With funding provided by the 1% for Trails initiative throughout 2020, combined with the tremendous fundraising contributions of our community during the Bucks for Hucks campaign, FAR was able to purchase the features and move the project forward. 

Terra Firma Trails was able to rough cut the trail lines in late March. Following pre-determined lines, they initiated both the easier and intermediate trails. 

With that work done, the next step was to place the fabricated features. Progressive Bike Ramps delivered features on Monday, March 29th - ahead of schedule! Many of them came in parts, and the crew was able to install 4 of the 8 features by the end of the day. The bigger, heavier features (the ramps) posed a bit more of a challenge. The PBR and Terra Firma Trails crews worked to place all of the features with precision. Features vary in size and skill type. The City of Canon City's Park Department also brought in several load of fill dirt to give trailbuilders material to fill in and around the features. 

Once the features are installed, additional work will be done to complete the features. Please be sure to stay off the trails and features until the park is officially open. 

We understand that there are some concerns regarding ecology of the area, and we'd like to explain why this particular location was selected for the bike park: 

1. Drainage - Historic drainage / erosion issues in the area (some tied to mining activity) required remediation, so our design seeks to assist that issue while also creating trails.
2. Connectivity - The Eagle Wing Trailhead connects to the Riverwalk, which allows for easy access for kids and families from town and also to local parks. It also connects to the South Cañon trail system, which allows users to continue their ride or allow families to use this area as a 'base camp' for a day's outing. 
3. Historic Use - There are already a plethora of mine tailings, ranching equipment, old landfill issues, dams, etc. in the area and is not a "pristine" environment.
4. Proximity - Kids need amenities that are in-town, and this is a great urban-access location that will allow kids to access the park without riding along busy roads. The skate park at Mountain view is a good example - it is much too far from downtown to be of use to children who do not have a ride out of town.
   

The skills park will located adjacent to the the Eagle Wing Trailhead at the north end of South Cañon Trails. This area is accessible from the Riverwalk and downtown, but also connects to the larger trail system. The park will include 2 downhill flow lines, each with 4 structures, and a climbing trail. Features are being fabricated by an outside company to ensure quality construction and safety, and will be shipped in and installed.
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The features have been ordered, the trails are flagged, and we’re about ready to cut ground at The Yard. We expect delivery of the features in early April and completion soon after that date. (Trail construction is always dependent on a number of factors, including weather conditions.) 
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Join us at Pizza Madness in Cañon City for Pint Night - to raise funds for the 1% for Trails Program! Donate $25 and get a commemorative pint glass, plus fill it up with a beer / drink of your choice for FREE. (First beer free, additional beers must be purchased.)
Buy a pint from 12:00 on and get a FREE pint glass and beer!

Date: Wednesday, March 31, 2021
Time: 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm 
Swag pickup: 5:00 - 8:00 pm 
Cost: Donate $25 and get a pint glass and FREE beer! (Donate more and grab some other cool swag!)
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For those who donated to The Yard fundraiser, this is also a swag pickup opportunity. Swag pickup from 5:00-8:00 pm. 

More information here: www.facebook.com/events/489231469123318

In recent months, our community has learned just how valuable outdoor recreation is to our mental and physical health. Having a variety and wealth of trails and open spaces has been a saving grace for many, and a new pastime for others.

So it is with great pleasure that FAR, along with the Cañon City Area Recreation and Park District, Fremont County,1% for Trails Contributors, and the City of Cañon City, present the opening a new and unique trail. 'Smooth Criminal' officially opened in Novenmber 2020 with a small ribbon cutting ceremony and ride.

Originally the brainchild of Cañon City native Brian LeDoux (also a FAR board member), Kalem Lenard, and Lenard's son, Mason, the flow trail has been in the planning / implementation process since 2019 in conjunction with a skills park. In December of 2019, Lenard and LeDoux presented the concept to the Cañon City Area Recreation and Park District, who owns the land containing the proposed project. FAR pledged 1% for Trails funds to pay for the project, and the CCRD board unanimously approved the project.

When COVID-19 stalled progress, FAR re-evaluated the timeline and scope of the project. While funding for phase I - the skills park near Eagle Wing Trailhead - was not fully available, FAR was able to provide enough funding for phase II of the project - the flow trail.

Cañon Exploratory student Mason Lenard and FAR Board member Brian LeDoux present the flow trail / bike park concept to the Cañon City Area Recreation and Park District board in December 2019. Photo: Carie Canterbury, Daily Record, 12-19-2019

Representatives of FAR and Terra Firma Trails survey the proposed flow trail at South Cañon Trails in early 2020. 

Surveying for the flow trail began early in 2020, and continued despite COVID closures. (Trailbuilders are solitary workers, for the most part.) With expert advise from Terra Firma Trails and the creative genius of Cat and Andrew, work began. Many conversations, seven months, three loads of rock and 12 loads of soil later, and Smooth Criminal was opened to the public.

Not only does the trail offer incredibly fun features, but it also gives riders access to a previously unreachable section of the South Cañon trails area. Cutting through historic ranch corals, a dry wash, and the back side of Sand Hill, the new trail connects seamlessly into existing trails and offers even more options for mountain bikers. Other portions of the trail system are open to additional user groups and, through the efforts of FAR and other entities, have established a beautiful systems of trails for a variety of users.
​

What is a flow trail? 

A flow trail is a smooth, rock-free trail that includes man-made features like jumps, berms, and rollers. Mountain bikers use these features to jump, learn how to approach technical elements, and work on their skills development. (They're also a lot of fun!) Flow trails require significant speed due to the size and design of the jumps - some of which are "gaps", meaning that the rider must have a certain speed to clear both ends of the jump. 

Flow trails are traditionally short, but allow for easy laps to facilitate re-riding and practice. Smooth Criminal is about .8 miles long, and connects back to the start (at the Ecology Park parking area) via existing trail Gloria's Groove and Schepp Ridge. 

Why is it 'downhill only' and only for mountain bikes? 

A flow trail is designed for speed. Built on a gradient that allows mountain bikers to ride without a need for constant pedaling allows riders to hit jumps and work on speed / skills progression. The trail includes several jumps, bumps, and berms that make it a roller-coaster ride of fun. 

First-time riders should proceed with EXTREME caution. To safely ride a flow trail, riders should engage in one VERY slow pre-ride of the route, another slow ride, and then (with knowledge of the terrain and features) proceed as their skill and ability allows. 

Due to the fact that the trail is designed for fast-moving riders, there should be NO UPHILL TRAFFIC. Pedestrians and equestrians are not allowed on the trail due to their slower speeds and the many 'blind' corners on the trail. Signs mark the top and bottom of the trail entrance and exit. 

Additional users are also not allowed on the trail in order to maintain the integrity of the features and smooth terrain of the trail. Flow trails, features, and associated maintenance is extremely costly, and intended / responsible use should allow the trail to provide years of riding. Unintended use could cause damage and require unscheduled maintenance. 

What's up Next? 
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Now that Smooth Criminal is up and running, we're beginning the next phase of the project - a skills park. Planning and design for the park was laid out, including multiple lines and a series of built features that will be fabricated by out outside company and brought in. Once installed, these features will require minimal maintenance and will offer riders an opportunity to practice and advance their skills.

In early December, FAR presented a plan to the CCRD. The plan was approved and features were ordered. Construction on the project will commence in winter 2020 and will continue through spring. Opening for the park is anticipated around spring break of 2021. 

How does 1% for Trails work?

Businesses who believe in and want to invest in trails sign up for the 1% for Trails program. Customers pay a 1% donation to the business, who then donates that money directly to FAR. This fund is used to directly pay for trail maintenance, construction, and signage. Please note that all of the following businesses are 1% for Trails contributors, and your support helps our community to fund all sorts of fun additions to our recreation amenities. Interested in donating to 1% directly? Click the Paypal button below and use the drop-down button to designate where you'd like your money to go. Please also opt in to allowing us to see your address, as we often send out stickers and updates to our friends and donors.  

It's just around the corner! Support our local businesses and our FAR sponsors / 1% for Trail contributors and partners by purchasing a gift or gift card for mom. 

MUGS – Give Mom a night off from dinner (and a half-gallon of their incredible margaritas) by purchasing one of MUGS dinners-to-go. You can even order brunch to go! We highly recommend the bacon pancakes with a side of mimosa.

​Pizza Madness – Did you know that Pizza Madness will bake you a pizza-sized cookie? You do now. Get a family salad, a giant cookie, and a pizza to go and give mom a night in. Even better? Let her pick the topings (we know, kids, that’s a tall order).

​The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey – Whether she’s been homeschooling the kids for the last month (bless her), or volunteering to make masks for the community, show mom you love her with a little “wine-down” time. The Abbey has plenty of award-winning wines to choose from, but also carries a wide variety of gifts (we love the wine glass charms) and local products, too. Call them and they’ll even deliver!

​Royal Gorge KOA – It’s worth a trip up the hill to check out some of the cool ‘Canon City’ products that the Royal Gorge KOA has in their shop. (We love the 'Royal Gorge' themed wall hangings.)

Reams Palace Drugs – The oldest shop in downtown Canon City is more than just a pharmacy – they also carry gifts and body care products. Stop in for local products, gifts, and candies. 

Formulary 55 - If your mom has ever participated in the Snow Queen event, she'll recognize the amazing soap products made by Formulary 55. Shop online and they'll ship directly to you. You can't go wrong: all of their products are incredible!

Touch of Love Florists & Weddings  – Flowers? Absolutely! This tried-and-true gift will be sure to make mom happy. Shea and the ladies at Touch of Love always do an incredible job of creating just the right arrangement. (Did you SEE the flowers at our Stars gala last year?) They also carry gifts and locally-made fudge. 

Back in 2014-5, when multiple user groups  and agencies got together to create a master plan for recreation and use in Eastern Fremont County, a trail from the Riverwalk (via Tunnel Drive) to the Royal Gorge Trails (via Fremont Peak area) was identified as a potential project and asset to our community. Now in 2019, planning is at the point where BLM and Colorado Parks & Wildlife have finished the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) to move the project forward. The BLM requests your comments. 

From an article in the Daily Record: “This trail would increase access to two local trail systems and improve the outdoor recreation opportunities in the area,” said Keith Berger, Royal Gorge Field Office Manager. “We want to hear from the community about why the proposed trail is important, as well as any potential concerns.” 

At only 22 pages, this document is MUCH more digestible than the last one we wrote about (the Resource Management Plan). Please consider viewing the EA in it's entirety here. If you're pressed for time, here are some important bullet points to know and consider before you make any comments.

Background

• “The BLM’s overall goal for this project is to provide public access, provide high quality recreation opportunities, and improve the quality of life for the area’s residents.”
• Connects the Tunnel Drive Trail (and Rivewalk) to the Royal Gorge Park Trails (near the communication towers).
• This trail will be a challenging trail, and will probably be best hiked up / down or ridden by mountain bike downhill.
• The trail was identified in the Eastern Fremont County Trails, Open Space & River Corridor Master Plan (April 2015) 
• This Environmental Assessment is created using the Resource Management Plan (1996), which mandates multi-use recreation (including hunting) on this area
• The draft management plan can be a) accepted, b) accepted with modifications, c) rejected

Trail Construction

• Trail will be for foot (hike, run) and bicycle traffic only due to steep grades (~10%), potential conflict with other users, and specialized design.
• Elevation change of about 1,700 feet (that’s about a 157-story building)
• The trail would be about 2 miles long, runs through BLM property but begins and ends on City of Cañon City property
• Trail will be natural surface singletrack (from 18” to 3 feet wide)
• Leashed dogs will be permitted
• The trail would be closed from June 1 to November 1 to all uses except for hunting access

The BLM also does a thorough job of evaluating potential water quality, visual resources, real estate, etc. effects on the landscape. You can view these on pages 10-16. The greatest concerns (brought forward for analysis) are to 'Wildlife: Migratory Birds' and 'Wildlife: Terrestrial', including big game. There would be "long-term, moderate intensity disturbance" to these populations, for which the suggested mitigation is a proposed closure from June 1 - November 1 each year. This is the time frame for Big Horn sheep lambing to give the ewes and their lambs some space. That usually starts June 1- September. September to November is hunting season. Trail activity would potentially push the animals out of existing range during hunting season. 

Our comments: 

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Tunnel Drive to Fremont Peak connection trail proposal. As part of our Royal Gorge Master Plan, we believe that this connection will allow our community to move forward as we grow and expand our outdoor recreation options and are excited to participate in the next phase of planning for this project. We appreciate the need for sensitivity to both wildlife and multi-use needs of the various user groups associated with the proposal.

In order to preserve the natural lambing habitat as much as possible, we fully understand and support the proposed closure from June 1-August 31 for lambing. Our Bighorn Sheep herds are an asset to our area and our natural environment. We would like to express our support for this particular portion of the closure and for the educational campaigns that would be necessary to accomplish this goal.
 
In regard to the hunting season closure from September 1 through October 31st, we feel that both hunting and trail use could exist concurrently, as they do in many other areas. The small portion of the S49 hunting unit that would be traversed by the proposed trail is in close proximity to existing human impacts. The area adjacent to the proposed trail already includes two quarries, an active railroad, a popular river corridor, a theme park, and existing trails.
 
According to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife ‘2019 Colorado Sheep & Goat’ pamphlet, S49 allows for 2 Ram Bighorn Rifle Resident licenses, 5 Ram Bighorn Archery Resident licenses, and 1 Ram Bighorn Archery Non-resident license. The wait time to draw a tag for this area appears to be about 10-20 years. In contrast to this high demand, but low use, we anticipate that a trail connection would we be beneficial for a large number of local and visiting trail users, including hikers, wildlife viewers, trail runners, and bikers. The proposed trail would only affect a small portion of  the S49 landscape, which includes over 632 square miles (259 on public land) all of which would remain open and available for hunting per current regulations and management.  Given the high demand for S49 tags, an open trail on a very small portion of the entire S49 area is not likely to have any impact on the desire for tags and ultimately the financial income to CPW (which is only ~$4,400/yr for S49 tags).

Due to the relatively small portion of area S49 that would be directly affected by a trail, the limited number of hunters (8/yr) that have tags for the entire S49 unit, and also given the existing human activity in the area, we feel that the multi-use properties of the area could be preserved at all times of the year outside of the lambing season. For these reasons, we respectfully request that the September 1- November 1 seasonal closure for hunting be removed from the approved action.

Thank you for your dedication to the very difficult task of land management. We appreciate your time, commitment, and coordination on this and other projects.

Trail development begins with Cañon City's own inception, possibly back in the 1880s. Photos of daring explorers in ankle boots and long skirts exist in the local history center's archives. People have been hiking in and around the Royal Gorge Region for over a century. But our recent trail development began, arguably, when Guy U. Hardy lobbied for the creation of three City parks: Royal Gorge, Temple Canyon, and Red Canyon. Setting aside that land made the future of trail / recreation development in Fremont County a LOT easier than it might have been. Cities and towns across Colorado struggle to find ways to create trails that offer the connectivity and accessibility that we enjoy here. We are also continuing to work on responsibly expanding trail systems while also being sensitive to the importance of wildlife habitat in our area. 

Check out these timelines that we've begun to develop as a way for us to honor those who have started the process of enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities in our area. Please let us know if we've missed any important milestones by emailing coordinator@joinFAR.org. We all stand on the shoulders of giants...