In 2021, photographer John Abramson ventured across all 71 miles of the Canal on behalf of the Conservancy to capture the stories and faces of those who love the old Canal. We are pleased to share some of these stories with you.

Liz A. shares, “I was born in Denver and grew up in University Hills where the Canal borders Mamie Dowd Eisenhower Park. I remember the park when it was just a field with tall, dry vegetation. When the park’s development was sufficient, I remember Mamie came to the dedication. It was a hot day, crowded, and people were fainting from the heat.

“When the park was new, the Canal ‘trail’ was a dirt track used by ditch riders in the past, and the Canal was the neighborhood children’s ‘playground.’ We created our own bike path along the edge of the Canal, which dipped precariously close to the rim of the bank. We would have bike races and sometimes slip into the Canal. When a bike went into the Canal, everyone would pitch in to help get the friend and bike out. If you could ride the entire length of our track on your bike without falling, you were considered a winner—so everyone could potentially be a winner. There were no prizes as such, but plenty of confidence-building.

“When there was water in the Canal, the current could be swift or lazy. At one spot, a tire swing on the branch of a cottonwood tree overhung the Canal. Kids would climb on and swing over the Canal, drop into the water, and swim to the bank. If the current was lazy, getting to the bank was easy and this was great fun. Some kids also ‘tubed’ down the Canal, even though that was not allowed. Most of the time, there was water in the Canal, but when it was dry, we could play and walk in the Canal bed. This gave rise to a whole new sort of imagination. One friend and I had an imaginary herd of reindeer in the dry canal bed during those times. The Canal was a great place to nurture the imagination, and it helped create a social network among the children who played together there.

“As for animals, in the early years … I remember the ducks and their ducklings. There were also turtles and water snakes. In the spring, we would walk along the bank and collect asparagus for supper.

“Over the years, I have lived and worked in various places near the Canal. In my youth, it was a place to play and nurture imagination as well as learn how to be with people, cooperate and face challenges. During my working years, a lunch-hour walk along the Canal trail was a refreshing break in a stressful day. Walking on the Canal trail has generally been an enjoyable outing. Currently, the Canal trail is a space where I walk for exercise and can enjoy the people (and dogs) I meet or just experience the sounds and smells of nature. I listen to and watch the different wildlife and birds. I have seen hawks hunt for lunch. Sometimes I walk to ponder a situation or think privately. I’m sure I am not the only one who has benefited from what the Canal has to offer.”