Trails on the North Shore of the Boulder Reservoir are being called up to the big leagues and being transformed from “social trails” to formal trails with construction scheduled to start the last week of September and go through October.

Trails on the North Shore of the Boulder Reservoir are being called up to the big leagues and being transformed from “social trails” to formal trails with construction scheduled to start the last week of September and go through October.

UPDATE: Construction has been going better and faster than expected, so the trail west of the Boulder Feeder Canal will be closed starting Wednesday, Oct. 6, with construction lasting approximately two weeks. All dates are still tentative due to potential weather delays.

Two trail segments will be formalized by being widened and a gravel surface added, so instead of a beaten path, they will become official trails that lead to the Reservoir shoreline. In addition, wood timbers will be used to build steps on the trail west of the Boulder Feeder Canal to create a sustainable trail tread for a steep and sometimes muddy portion of the existing trail.

These improvements are identified in the 2012 Boulder Reservoir Master Plan, which includes defining designated trails and installing new trailhead signage.

This work is being done thanks to generous grant support from Great Outdoors Colorado. Awarded in March 2021, the city received $134,735 to support a variety of restoration and improvement projects across both Parks and Recreation and Open Space and Mountain Parks systems.

Once finished, these trails leading to the Reservoir shoreline will be pedestrian-only, given the sensitive area near the Reservoir.

"Standardizing these informal trails and stabilizing the trail next to the canal will keep visitors safe along this popular corridor," said Parks and Recreation Planner Regina Elsner. "It will also help with erosion control and make these trails more sustainable."

Construction will begin with the easternmost trail starting Wednesday, Sept. 29, and will move east to west. The trail west of the Boulder Feeder Canal will be closed starting Monday, Oct. 11, with construction lasting approximately two weeks. All dates are tentative due to potential weather delays.

We encourage community members to exercise caution around construction vehicles and materials and to steer clear of construction areas.

Trail work map for North Shore of Reservoir

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