Mesa County has wrapped up its long-awaited Riverfront Trail study, a significant step toward enhancing regional connectivity and recreational opportunities. The study focuses on linking the Riverfront Trail, which begins in Clifton, with the Riverbend Park in Palisade, paving the way for future development.
Goals of the Riverfront Trail Project
The primary objective of the study, as explained by Eric Borschel, Senior Engineer of Mesa County Public Works, is to identify strategies to connect the Riverfront Trail with Riverbend Park. This connection is seen as a vital enhancement to both the recreational and transportation infrastructure in the area.
Borschel expressed enthusiasm about the potential impact of the project, emphasizing its benefits for locals. “It provides a lot of great access for folks to get to the Clifton area or to get from Clifton to Palisade or Palisade to Clifton,” he said. “Whether that’s for recreation, for work, or for school, it would provide a lot of multimodal opportunities for folks.”
Expected Benefits for the Community
The Riverfront Trail project aims to offer a wide range of benefits for the community, with particular focus on increasing mobility and access.
- Improved Access: By connecting Clifton and Palisade, the trail would make it easier for residents to travel between these communities.
- Multimodal Opportunities: The trail would cater to various modes of transport, such as walking, biking, and potentially even commuting by public transport, broadening transportation options.
- Recreational Use: With the beautiful Colorado landscape as its backdrop, the trail offers residents and visitors alike a scenic, outdoor space for various recreational activities.
Overall, the project aims to make the region more interconnected, healthier, and more accessible for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Path Forward: Grant Funding and Construction
The completion of the study is a crucial milestone for the Riverfront Trail project. According to the county, the next step will be to apply for grant funding to support the construction of individual segments of the trail.
Once funding is secured, construction is expected to begin soon after the release of the final study report, which is slated for January 2025. This timeline signals an exciting phase for the trail’s development, as plans move from concept to reality.
With the successful conclusion of the study, Mesa County is poised to transform its regional connectivity, offering new ways for people to explore and connect with the natural beauty of the area.
