Upcoming trail improvements are planned for to the High Line Canal trail between Parker Rd. and Havana St. The project intends to upgrade the existing 9-foot asphalt trail to a 10-foot concrete trail with an adjacent 6-foot crusher fines trail and meet ADA standards. The project is a partnership between Denver Parks & Recreation and the High Line Canal Conservancy.

Learn more about the project with the below FAQs.

Who is leading the project? 

Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) is partnering with the High Line Canal Conservancy to design an enhanced trail surface for the High Line Canal (Canal). This effort is funded jointly by these partners and DPR will be completing the design and managing construction of the project. 

Where is the project located? 

The project is located across nearly 2.5 miles of the High Line Canal trail in the Windsor neighborhood of East Denver. The project area extends from Parker Rd. to Havana St. While this entire reach is within the Windsor statistical neighborhood, the project includes the sections of the Canal along the areas represented by the Rangeview, Park Forest and Windsor Gardens Registered Neighborhood Organizations. 

What will the enhanced trail surface entail? 

The desired trail surface will include 10’ of concrete and 6’ of crusher fines gravel. This will mark a significant improvement from the current asphalt surface on the High Line Canal trail. This proposed trail profile combines elements of the Denver Parks and Recreation regional trail standard and the divided trail proposed in The Plan for the High Line Canal (The Plan). 

When will the trail be resurfaced? 

Construction of the new trail is planned for 2024. 

How will the trail resurfacing impact trail users? 

During trail resurfacing, there will be trail closures and detours in effect to maintain a safe environment for trail users. Once completed, the enhanced trail surface will make for a safer, more accessible High Line Canal trail experience. 

How will trees along the High Line Canal be impacted? 

The trees along the Canal in this area are managed jointly by Denver Parks and Recreation and Denver Water, who owns the Canal corridor. Through a Canal-wide tree care program (learn more here), both agencies do significant hazard tree mitigation to maintain a safe environment along the Canal. In 2022, all of the trees that are 12” or greater in diameter are being assessed to determine the health of the tree and any risk they might pose to people or property. As a result of this assessment, trees may be pruned or removed before trail resurfacing begins. During trail resurfacing work, contractors will implement tree protection measures, as required by DPR, to minimize impacts to healthy trees along the Canal. 

It is possible some number of trees will be significantly impacted which could necessitate removal. Removals will be minimized to the greatest extent possible and only be completed due to safety concerns.  

Will other sections of the Canal be resurfaced? 

This enhanced trail surface will become the standard for sections of the Canal in Denver and unincorporated Arapahoe County. However, the section of the Canal from Parker Rd. to Havana St. is the only section currently funded for construction. Sections of the Canal, primarily south of Hampden Ave., that are currently soft-surface are intended to remain soft-surface.