Monument Creek Trail Extension Opens, Connecting North and South Corridors
A long-awaited 3.2-mile extension of the Monument Creek Trail opened to the public on Saturday, completing a continuous 25-mile paved pathway from the U.S. Air Force Academy in the north to the Broadmoor area in the south. The final segment, which runs through the Pikeview neighborhood and connects to the existing trail near Woodmen Road, took two years to build and cost $8.5 million.
The trail extension features a 12-foot-wide paved surface suitable for walking, running, and cycling, along with three new pedestrian bridges crossing Monument Creek, rest areas with benches and shade structures, and interpretive signage highlighting the area's natural history. A parallel soft-surface path runs alongside the paved trail for runners who prefer a natural surface.
Colorado Springs Parks Director Karen Palus said the completed trail fulfills a vision that has been in planning stages since 2005. The Monument Creek Trail is now the longest continuous urban trail in the Pikes Peak region and connects to dozens of neighborhood parks, schools, and commercial areas along its route. Usage data from trail counters shows that similar sections of the trail system average 1,200 daily users.
The project was funded through a combination of Great Outdoors Colorado grants, Trails Open Space and Parks tax revenues, and federal transportation alternative funds. Future plans include adding lighting to the newest section and constructing a trailhead with parking near the Interstate 25 and Woodmen Road interchange. The city is also studying the feasibility of extending the trail further south to connect with the Rock Island Trail near the Broadmoor.