Lofty Ambitions for Denver's Planned Urban Trail

"A new urban trail that’s taking firmer shape in Denver — at least on drawing boards — would snake through several downtown neighborhoods for more than five miles, serving as a linear park as much as a way to get around," explains Jon Murray.

Murray is also reporting that the 5280 Trail proposal seems to be picking up momentum with Denver officials and private boosters, who say the first segment of the project is ready to go to formal design. The project "could break ground along a small stretch of 21st Street in the next two years or so, and the city has committed $850,000 to get the ball rolling on designs," according to Murray.

Still, there's a lot of work to be done before anyone should expect to stroll along a new linear park designed to achieve some of the same charms as the High Line in New York City. "One advocate predicted a need for 'significant”' contributions from private donors," according to Murray. If all goes well, construction could take place in increments over the next decade, starting as soon as two years from now.

The 5280 Trail, formerly referred to as the 5280 Loop, would total 5.3 miles, "[traveling] along 21st from Coors Field to Benedict Fountain Park, and from there the conceptual route heads south on Sherman Street, going around the State Capitol; traverses the Golden Triangle neighborhood and crosses the Art District on Santa Fe; and heads north through the Auraria Campus before crossing Speer Boulevard and Cherry Creek into Lower Downtown, where it follows Wynkoop Street past Union Station, returning to the ballpark."