Legacy Loop | City of Colorado Springs

What is the Legacy Loop?

LEGACY LOOP is an approximately 10-mile trail, park and recreation loop around downtown Colorado Springs defined by the Pikes Peak Greenway on the west and south, the Shooks Run trail on the east, and the Rock Island Corridor to the north. It is a way to connect, create, and protect our community values, inspired by the legacy and vision of Colorado Springs' founder General William Jackson Palmer. Palmer's dream was of a vibrant, livable city where the essential functions of mobility and access are linked to our parks, open space and trails.

View the current downtown Colorado Springs bicycle route map

Three Primary Goals

Leverage existing park and trail assets by improving the safety, functionality and connectivity of the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail as it runs through Monument Valley Park in the heart of Colorado Springs;
Create a regionally significant trail connection through the acquisition and construction of the long sought-after Rock Island trail connection; and
Create new and lasting recreational opportunities throughout the project area for the citizens of Colorado Springs.

Funding

The Legacy Loop is funded by several sources including:

Trails, Open Space and Parks tax program
2D trail funding
Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority
Grants from Great Outdoors Colorado
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Colorado Parks and Wildlife - State Trails
TABOR and Park Land Dedication Ordinance Funding

Partners

Ongoing Projects

LEGACY LOOP PLAZA
1. Ongoing fundraising will assist with restrooms facilities, shade structures, wayfinding, and art elements.
ROCK ISLAND TRAIL
1. Construction of the urban trail corridor will link Shooks Run Trail with the Pikes Peak Greenway. Construction will include underpass access at Cascade and Nevada, as well as connections to the on-street facilities. The total trail construction creates connectivity to the tune of approximately 1.25 miles, with funding from the TOPS (Trails, Open Space, and Parks) Sales Tax, and grants from CPW (Land Water Conservation Fund) and GOCO (Colorado the Beautiful). Construction is underway and slated for completion in 2024.
MESA STREET UNDERPASS (East Pikes Peak Greenway)
1. In partnership with the Colorado Springs Utilities for the Monument Creek Stabilization project, a trail underpass will provide dedicated non-motorized trail connectivity, improving user safety and allowing for unobstructed trail use, as well as creek access. This is underway and anticipating completion in Fall 2024.
WEST PIKES PEAK GREENWAY TRAIL CORRIDOR
1. The current wide gravel path (see ‘Utility Undergrounding’ completed project) between Centennial Blvd. and Mesa Road, will be replaced with a new, concrete, multi-use trail with a gravel shoulder. Anticipated for 2024/2025 construction.
WAYFINDING AND SIGNAGE
1. As funding becomes available, additional wayfinding signage will be installed to enhance the user experience and provide information of the rich heritage of Colorado Springs.
SHOOKS RUN AT PIKES PEAK GREENWAY
1. To complete the Legacy Loop connectivity, a final segment of the Shooks Run Trail is needed, with a crossing coordinated with the Union Pacific Railroad. Opportunities for funding and partnerships are underway.

Completed Projects

LEGACY LOOP PLAZA
1. The completed parking area and trailhead increase access and provide a centralized location for special events.
MIDLAND TRAIL ACCESS
1. The I-25/Cimarron Street Interchange project improved access between the Pikes Peak Greenway and Midland Trail.
PLAYGROUND RENOVATIONS
1. Renovations to two playgrounds in Monument Valley Park and South Shooks Run Park increase play opportunities along the Loop.
POPCYCLE BRIDGE
1. A renovated, interactive bridge connects the east and west spans of the Greenway and provides opportunities for bicycle education.
SHOOKS RUN TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS
1. 2D funding assisted with improving the trail corridor from Jackson Street to East Jefferson Street and Fontanero Street to Wahsatch Avenue.
UINTAH STREET UNDERPASS
1. This west side trail underpass will provides essential connectivity by separating trail users from a high-volume road and will provides public creek access.
MESA CREEK CROSSING
1. The construction of urban trail south from the Legacy Loop Trailhead (at Centennial Boulevard) to the newly installed Mesa Creek Pedestrian Bridge was completed with TOPS Funding and a Land Water Conservation Fund grant in the summer of 2024.
UTILITY UNDERGROUNDING
1. To provide for an unobstructed path for future trail, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services partnered with Colorado Springs Utilities for the undergrounding of overhead powerlines and removal of poles in 2023-2024.
PATTY JEWETT JUNCTION PLAYGROUND
1. With funding from the TOPS Parks budget, as well as a financial contribution from the Patty Jewett neighborhood, the construction of a new playground was completed in 2018, at the intersection of Corona Street and Columbia Street.
2B TRAIL CONSTRUCTION AT SHOOKS RUN
1. TABOR Funding approved in 2018 provided for improvement of the Shooks Run Trail segment from Corona Street to Uintah Street, with concrete, benches, and improved drainage and accessibility to the area.
EASEMENT ACQUISITION AT SOUTH SHOOKS RUN
1. An easement acquired south of Fountain Blvd. for the Shooks Run Trail will provide for future trail connectivity for the Legacy Loop.