Where Are We Now?

Where Are We Now?

Over 200 community members looked at the draft trail map online at Speak Up Greeley and at eight different pop-up events. More than 75% of people said the proposed trail routes would take them where they want, showing that the Trails Master Plan will meet most people’s needs. Based on community feedback, some routes were added or changed during this stage.

Planning trail alignments in an urban area is complex because it requires balancing multiple factors, such as existing infrastructure, safety, and environmental concerns. The plan has to consider whether trails fit within the existing city layout, are safe and accessible, and create trails that meet community needs.

To help analyze the draft plan, the Technical Advisory Committee provided feedback on prioritizing the trails. After experts reviewed the criteria, all the suggested trails in the plan were analyzed based on the following:

Community benefit

Feasibility (how possible it is to build the trail)

Natural hazards each new route might face, like floodplains and steep slopes

Ecological resiliency (how well the area can handle change)

Using this information and local knowledge from City staff, trail routes are prioritized based on:

Balanced connections to communities on both the east and west sides of the city

Equitable connections to underserved communities

Better connectivity with existing trails to give access to natural areas and future neighborhoods

What’s Next?

Around 16 miles of trails are marked as priority one, with a goal of building them in the next ten years. The Trails Master Plan update provides a 10-year vision for off-street trails in Greeley. City staff is excited to present this community-focused plan to Council in Fall 2024. All maps are drafts and will be reviewed by City Council before adoption.