The Great Western Trail connecting Windsor, Severance and Eaton, has received just over $160,000 in grant money for construction work. The trail provides area residents with opportunities for non-motorized recreation such as walking, running, biking and cross-country skiing. Grant money will be used for three miles of trail improvements.

A Colorado Parks & Wildlife Program grant of $100,000 and a separate $60,250 grant from Colorado Safe Routes to School will be used to top the existing railroad grade with a crusher fines trail surface, landscape trail shoulders with native grasses, and add crosswalks and signage at county road crossings to enhance safety for all trail users.

Goal for the Great Western Trail

A primary goal of the trail upgrade is to encourage year-round walking or biking to school by students at Severance Middle School. The school is located next to the trail, but two miles south of Severance where the majority of students live. Narrow county roads currently make walking or biking to the school unsafe. The Great Western Trail provides these students with a healthy alternative to riding a school bus or being driven by parents.

Who Made The Grants Possible?

Local partners in the grants include the towns of Windsor, Severance & Eaton, West Greeley Conservation District, Weld County Youth Conservation Corps and Severance Middle School. Thanks also to Crow Creek Construction and grant writer Karen Scopel for assistance in these successful grant applications.

Work on the trail improvements is slated to begin in September 2012.

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