Hwy 52 Bike/Ped underpass and trail connection

The SH52 underpass and Cottontail connection were completed in June 2006. The project included a 3,500-foot-long segment of new trail and an underpass to provide safe travel under Hwy. 52 near State Highway 119. The trail provides a crucial link needed to connect Gunbarrel and Niwot seamlessly from the Cottontail Trail to the Niwot Loop and downtown Niwot. With this new addition, trail users in Niwot and Gunbarrel can now enjoy about 3 miles of continuous trails connecting their communities.

Located on both city and county open space lands, the trail was completed through the hard work of volunteers, Youth Corps team leaders, county staff and contractors. During National Trails Day in June 2006, 40 volunteers worked to complete 300 feet of new trail, spreading trail material, leveling the trail, watering the it for compaction and preparing the trail edges for reseeding.

 As part of their training to become Youth Corps team leaders, 32 Youth Corps leaders and assistant leaders completed approximately 1,700 feet of trail with the support of County Parks and Open Space staff. The volunteer efforts and Youth Corps contribution are estimated to have saved more than $17,000 in labor costs.