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Bear Creek Trail Improvements

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Conceptual image of a crusher fines parallel trail adjacent to the existing concrete Bear Creek Trail in the Bear Creek Greenbelt.

Follow this project on Twitter @TrailsLakewood for construction updates.

Project Background

The Bear Creek Trail is located within the Bear Creek Greenbelt, a 350-acre open space park on the south side of the city. Bear Creek runs through the property and is a mature riparian ecosystem that attracts wildlife and provides an ideal outdoor recreation and open space area. The trail is approximately seven miles in length beginning near C-470 and Morrison Road and extending east to Wadsworth Boulevard and Denver.

An extremely popular regional trail connection and a green way across the city, the trail receives a lot of use. Trail use data shows over 450,000 people use this trail and open space area each year for walking, hiking, biking, fishing and other forms of non-motorized transportation and recreational uses. The attraction of a diverse range of user groups has led to increasing conflicts in recent years, which the city has been working to address.

Trail and Connectivity Assessment Report

In 2016, the city partnered with Norris Design, Bicycle Colorado and Colorado Parks and Wildlife to complete the City of Lakewood Trail and Connectivity Assessment Report. The project objective was to provide information and guidance for expansion and maintenance of important trail corridors and the potential for new trail connections within the city. The six month public engagement effort identified opportunities for improvements to the Bear Creek Trail to mitigate user conflicts including the addition of a crushed gravel, soft surface parallel trail, widening the concrete trail to 10 feet to better handle existing usage and meet current trail standards and realigning the concrete trail in certain sections. Lastly, adding striping and signage opportunities to enhance safety and wayfinding were also identified.

Project Details

Specifically, the Bear Creek Trail project entails the installation of over 12,000 linear feet of 3-6 foot wide soft surface trail that would roughly parallel the existing concrete path through the Bear Creek Greenbelt. The purpose of this trail would be to help alleviate congestion along the existing trail by providing an alternative natural surface trail for walkers and runners. In addition to the soft surface trail construction, sections of the existing trail would be removed and replaced. Improvements would be made to the concrete trail by widening sections to 10 feet when feasible, by softening trail curves to extend sight lines and replacing damaged concrete to mitigate hazards. Engineering studies were conducted in 2020 to consider how to appropriately address high-conflict areas to devise alternative solutions. Learn more in the Bear Creek Trail section beginning on page 26 of the City of Lakewood Trail and Connectivity Assessment Report.

All proposed trail improvements have been included to create a welcoming trail experience for all visitors and user groups. Use the tools below to provide feedback on the project and share additional ideas for future amenities as funding allows. Subscribe to this page for project notifications when new information is available.

Follow this project on Twitter @TrailsLakewood for construction updates.

Project Background

The Bear Creek Trail is located within the Bear Creek Greenbelt, a 350-acre open space park on the south side of the city. Bear Creek runs through the property and is a mature riparian ecosystem that attracts wildlife and provides an ideal outdoor recreation and open space area. The trail is approximately seven miles in length beginning near C-470 and Morrison Road and extending east to Wadsworth Boulevard and Denver.

An extremely popular regional trail connection and a green way across the city, the trail receives a lot of use. Trail use data shows over 450,000 people use this trail and open space area each year for walking, hiking, biking, fishing and other forms of non-motorized transportation and recreational uses. The attraction of a diverse range of user groups has led to increasing conflicts in recent years, which the city has been working to address.

Trail and Connectivity Assessment Report

In 2016, the city partnered with Norris Design, Bicycle Colorado and Colorado Parks and Wildlife to complete the City of Lakewood Trail and Connectivity Assessment Report. The project objective was to provide information and guidance for expansion and maintenance of important trail corridors and the potential for new trail connections within the city. The six month public engagement effort identified opportunities for improvements to the Bear Creek Trail to mitigate user conflicts including the addition of a crushed gravel, soft surface parallel trail, widening the concrete trail to 10 feet to better handle existing usage and meet current trail standards and realigning the concrete trail in certain sections. Lastly, adding striping and signage opportunities to enhance safety and wayfinding were also identified.

Project Details

Specifically, the Bear Creek Trail project entails the installation of over 12,000 linear feet of 3-6 foot wide soft surface trail that would roughly parallel the existing concrete path through the Bear Creek Greenbelt. The purpose of this trail would be to help alleviate congestion along the existing trail by providing an alternative natural surface trail for walkers and runners. In addition to the soft surface trail construction, sections of the existing trail would be removed and replaced. Improvements would be made to the concrete trail by widening sections to 10 feet when feasible, by softening trail curves to extend sight lines and replacing damaged concrete to mitigate hazards. Engineering studies were conducted in 2020 to consider how to appropriately address high-conflict areas to devise alternative solutions. Learn more in the Bear Creek Trail section beginning on page 26 of the City of Lakewood Trail and Connectivity Assessment Report.

All proposed trail improvements have been included to create a welcoming trail experience for all visitors and user groups. Use the tools below to provide feedback on the project and share additional ideas for future amenities as funding allows. Subscribe to this page for project notifications when new information is available.

Ask a Question

Ask a question about the Bear Creek Trail Improvements project! The project managers will respond within two business days. Please note that your questions will be visible to the public.

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  • Share Perhaps the contractor for the last segment could fixed the washed out gravel trail areas between the golf course and Kipling? These have been marked by cones for over a month. on Facebook Share Perhaps the contractor for the last segment could fixed the washed out gravel trail areas between the golf course and Kipling? These have been marked by cones for over a month. on Twitter Share Perhaps the contractor for the last segment could fixed the washed out gravel trail areas between the golf course and Kipling? These have been marked by cones for over a month. on Linkedin Email Perhaps the contractor for the last segment could fixed the washed out gravel trail areas between the golf course and Kipling? These have been marked by cones for over a month. link

    Perhaps the contractor for the last segment could fixed the washed out gravel trail areas between the golf course and Kipling? These have been marked by cones for over a month.

    skierhikerbiker asked over 1 year ago

    Hello,

    You may have already noticed the repairs underway to washed out areas of the trail. The contractor is working through mitigation and drainage improvements in this area. 

  • Share Nice to see the project is almost done. That said, in my daily cycling the BCT, I note about 50% of the foot traffic still using the concrete path rather than the new pedestrian path. Perhaps some signs pointing bikes to the concrete and peds to the gravel would be helpful, similar to what they do on the Denver portion of the BCT where it splits. Thanks for your consideration. on Facebook Share Nice to see the project is almost done. That said, in my daily cycling the BCT, I note about 50% of the foot traffic still using the concrete path rather than the new pedestrian path. Perhaps some signs pointing bikes to the concrete and peds to the gravel would be helpful, similar to what they do on the Denver portion of the BCT where it splits. Thanks for your consideration. on Twitter Share Nice to see the project is almost done. That said, in my daily cycling the BCT, I note about 50% of the foot traffic still using the concrete path rather than the new pedestrian path. Perhaps some signs pointing bikes to the concrete and peds to the gravel would be helpful, similar to what they do on the Denver portion of the BCT where it splits. Thanks for your consideration. on Linkedin Email Nice to see the project is almost done. That said, in my daily cycling the BCT, I note about 50% of the foot traffic still using the concrete path rather than the new pedestrian path. Perhaps some signs pointing bikes to the concrete and peds to the gravel would be helpful, similar to what they do on the Denver portion of the BCT where it splits. Thanks for your consideration. link

    Nice to see the project is almost done. That said, in my daily cycling the BCT, I note about 50% of the foot traffic still using the concrete path rather than the new pedestrian path. Perhaps some signs pointing bikes to the concrete and peds to the gravel would be helpful, similar to what they do on the Denver portion of the BCT where it splits. Thanks for your consideration.

    Cyclist asked about 1 year ago

    Thank you for your feedback! We are working on an overall signage and wayfinding plan for the trail. I will share your feedback with the project team working on sign design. 



  • Share When will phase 6 start? The concrete between Kipling parkway and Kipling street is not in good shape. The rest of the route is now a pleasure to cycle. Thanks to all involved with making it such a nice path. on Facebook Share When will phase 6 start? The concrete between Kipling parkway and Kipling street is not in good shape. The rest of the route is now a pleasure to cycle. Thanks to all involved with making it such a nice path. on Twitter Share When will phase 6 start? The concrete between Kipling parkway and Kipling street is not in good shape. The rest of the route is now a pleasure to cycle. Thanks to all involved with making it such a nice path. on Linkedin Email When will phase 6 start? The concrete between Kipling parkway and Kipling street is not in good shape. The rest of the route is now a pleasure to cycle. Thanks to all involved with making it such a nice path. link

    When will phase 6 start? The concrete between Kipling parkway and Kipling street is not in good shape. The rest of the route is now a pleasure to cycle. Thanks to all involved with making it such a nice path.

    parsnips146 asked over 1 year ago

    We are so glad you are enjoying the trail improvements!

    The delay of this segment is due to the water levels and access to the site. We anticipate the contractor will begin work again in the next week or two. Thank you for your patience.

  • Share Can you please elaborate on the plan for the Armstrong Property along the trail? We really wish there was a playground somewhere along the trail and this would be a great spot. on Facebook Share Can you please elaborate on the plan for the Armstrong Property along the trail? We really wish there was a playground somewhere along the trail and this would be a great spot. on Twitter Share Can you please elaborate on the plan for the Armstrong Property along the trail? We really wish there was a playground somewhere along the trail and this would be a great spot. on Linkedin Email Can you please elaborate on the plan for the Armstrong Property along the trail? We really wish there was a playground somewhere along the trail and this would be a great spot. link

    Can you please elaborate on the plan for the Armstrong Property along the trail? We really wish there was a playground somewhere along the trail and this would be a great spot.

    Kroberts asked over 1 year ago

    Hi there,

    The Armstrong parcel will include only trail connections at this time. Demolition of the buildings will occur soon, although a confirmation date is not yet set. This parcel is intended for open space uses and there are no plans for amenities in this location. 

  • Share It appears that phase 5 is on hold. Can you post an update, please. on Facebook Share It appears that phase 5 is on hold. Can you post an update, please. on Twitter Share It appears that phase 5 is on hold. Can you post an update, please. on Linkedin Email It appears that phase 5 is on hold. Can you post an update, please. link

    It appears that phase 5 is on hold. Can you post an update, please.

    Cyclist asked over 1 year ago

    Hi there, 

    The delay of this segment is due to the water levels and access to the site. We anticipate the contractor will begin work again in the next week or two. Thank you for your patience. 

  • Share When will phase 5 be finished from Kipling to Estes? on Facebook Share When will phase 5 be finished from Kipling to Estes? on Twitter Share When will phase 5 be finished from Kipling to Estes? on Linkedin Email When will phase 5 be finished from Kipling to Estes? link

    When will phase 5 be finished from Kipling to Estes?

    polly kurty asked over 1 year ago

    Phase 4 of the Bear Creek Trail project was targeted for completion early this year when a pair of nesting owls moved in near the west end of the completed segment and halted work in the area until the week of May 15. It is a federal law not to disturb nesting raptors, the City of Lakewood took every precaution to be sure the owls were not disturbed.

    By May 18, it was confirmed the owls had left the nest permanently and the contractor was cleared to mobilize into the area from the ‘causeway’ west to the Kipling St. bridge. The contractor plans to install the soft-surface path in this segment and use it for a detour around the work area while the concrete is replaced. Once the soft-surface trail is complete, the city will open the trail from S. Estes St. to S. Kipling St.

    The concrete replacement will take two to three weeks, weather permitting. The contractor will then begin replacing the trail from S. Kipling St. to Kipling Pkwy to conclude the project.

  • Share When will the trail be open from Kipling to Estes? I am used to walking the trail very early morning and have not been able to do so since phase 5 was started. I am anxious to get back on the trail from Estes to Fox Hollow. on Facebook Share When will the trail be open from Kipling to Estes? I am used to walking the trail very early morning and have not been able to do so since phase 5 was started. I am anxious to get back on the trail from Estes to Fox Hollow. on Twitter Share When will the trail be open from Kipling to Estes? I am used to walking the trail very early morning and have not been able to do so since phase 5 was started. I am anxious to get back on the trail from Estes to Fox Hollow. on Linkedin Email When will the trail be open from Kipling to Estes? I am used to walking the trail very early morning and have not been able to do so since phase 5 was started. I am anxious to get back on the trail from Estes to Fox Hollow. link

    When will the trail be open from Kipling to Estes? I am used to walking the trail very early morning and have not been able to do so since phase 5 was started. I am anxious to get back on the trail from Estes to Fox Hollow.

    polly kurty asked over 1 year ago

    Phase 4 of the Bear Creek Trail project was targeted for completion early this year when a pair of nesting owls moved in near the west end of the completed segment and halted work in the area until the week of May 15. It is a federal law not to disturb nesting raptors, the City of Lakewood took every precaution to be sure the owls were not disturbed.

    By May 18, it was confirmed the owls had left the nest permanently and the contractor was cleared to mobilize into the area from the ‘causeway’ west to the Kipling St. bridge. The contractor plans to install the soft-surface path in this segment and use it for a detour around the work area while the concrete is replaced. Once the soft-surface trail is complete, the city will open the trail from S. Estes St. to S. Kipling St.

    The concrete replacement will take two to three weeks, weather permitting. The contractor will then begin replacing the trail from S. Kipling St. to Kipling Pkwy to conclude the project.

  • Share Hi - I was surpised to see the Bear Creek Trail still closed on Apr 29 going west from Stone House. Unless I missed it, there was no detour sign at the corner of Estes and Morrison, indicating I should take Morrison east to Kipling, as there was last Fall. When do you anticipate this area opening? is this the last phase? Thank you. on Facebook Share Hi - I was surpised to see the Bear Creek Trail still closed on Apr 29 going west from Stone House. Unless I missed it, there was no detour sign at the corner of Estes and Morrison, indicating I should take Morrison east to Kipling, as there was last Fall. When do you anticipate this area opening? is this the last phase? Thank you. on Twitter Share Hi - I was surpised to see the Bear Creek Trail still closed on Apr 29 going west from Stone House. Unless I missed it, there was no detour sign at the corner of Estes and Morrison, indicating I should take Morrison east to Kipling, as there was last Fall. When do you anticipate this area opening? is this the last phase? Thank you. on Linkedin Email Hi - I was surpised to see the Bear Creek Trail still closed on Apr 29 going west from Stone House. Unless I missed it, there was no detour sign at the corner of Estes and Morrison, indicating I should take Morrison east to Kipling, as there was last Fall. When do you anticipate this area opening? is this the last phase? Thank you. link

    Hi - I was surpised to see the Bear Creek Trail still closed on Apr 29 going west from Stone House. Unless I missed it, there was no detour sign at the corner of Estes and Morrison, indicating I should take Morrison east to Kipling, as there was last Fall. When do you anticipate this area opening? is this the last phase? Thank you.

    Cyclist asked over 1 year ago

    Hi there,

    We have an update from the contractor, all trails are open with the exception of the Kipling to Kipling section. The crew has run into access issues and are carefully working around wildlife. We appreciate your patience and are working as quickly as possible to allow this final segment of the project to open. Detour signs keep getting removed, but the crews are restoring them as soon as possible. We continue to target a mid-summer completion due to reseeding and restoration but hope that this segment is open much sooner. 

  • Share Hello, I love all the new improvements going into the trail and appreciate all the work. Do you know if there is an estimated date of completion for the project? on Facebook Share Hello, I love all the new improvements going into the trail and appreciate all the work. Do you know if there is an estimated date of completion for the project? on Twitter Share Hello, I love all the new improvements going into the trail and appreciate all the work. Do you know if there is an estimated date of completion for the project? on Linkedin Email Hello, I love all the new improvements going into the trail and appreciate all the work. Do you know if there is an estimated date of completion for the project? link

    Hello, I love all the new improvements going into the trail and appreciate all the work. Do you know if there is an estimated date of completion for the project?

    Jleibo asked over 1 year ago

    Hi there,

    At this time, we are anticipating wrapping up the Bear Creek Trail project by mid- April. Most segments of the trail are now open! Thank you for your patience. 

  • Share Phase 5 of the Bear Creek Trail Improvement project is over 6 weeks behind schedule. It was projected to be complete by Dec. 15, 2022. This completion date was before the inclement weather set in. When is Phase 5 going to be completed? What penalties are being imposed on the Contractor(s) for missing the project completion date? on Facebook Share Phase 5 of the Bear Creek Trail Improvement project is over 6 weeks behind schedule. It was projected to be complete by Dec. 15, 2022. This completion date was before the inclement weather set in. When is Phase 5 going to be completed? What penalties are being imposed on the Contractor(s) for missing the project completion date? on Twitter Share Phase 5 of the Bear Creek Trail Improvement project is over 6 weeks behind schedule. It was projected to be complete by Dec. 15, 2022. This completion date was before the inclement weather set in. When is Phase 5 going to be completed? What penalties are being imposed on the Contractor(s) for missing the project completion date? on Linkedin Email Phase 5 of the Bear Creek Trail Improvement project is over 6 weeks behind schedule. It was projected to be complete by Dec. 15, 2022. This completion date was before the inclement weather set in. When is Phase 5 going to be completed? What penalties are being imposed on the Contractor(s) for missing the project completion date? link

    Phase 5 of the Bear Creek Trail Improvement project is over 6 weeks behind schedule. It was projected to be complete by Dec. 15, 2022. This completion date was before the inclement weather set in. When is Phase 5 going to be completed? What penalties are being imposed on the Contractor(s) for missing the project completion date?

    Walt asked almost 2 years ago

    Hi there,

    We appreciate your concern and are happy to share that overall the project is on schedule for completion because the contractor has 18-months to complete. Initially the contractor had targeted completion for the end of 2022 but that didn’t happen because of substantial modifications to the original project scope that were approved by the city.  Progress has slowed since the snow began falling around Christmas, and an unusually cold January has kept snow on the ground and slowed concrete work.

    Specific to Segment 5 (Kipling to Fox Hollow) there have been unanticipated conditions leading to extra work. Two trail culverts in this area were discovered to be deteriorated and needed replacement. Parks decided to repair all the cracked and heaved concrete trail which added substantially to the Scope of Work. Additionally, Green Mountain Water and Sanitation District is working in this area relining the sanitary main which was presenting a hazard to trail users. The city's contractor is working on new fencing along the Fox Hollow Golf Course. Ideally, these two project components will be completed by the end of this week or early next week so we can get the trail opened from Kipling to Fox Hollow.  

    Thank you for your patience!

Page last updated: 27 Sep 2023, 02:30 PM