Speak Up for the Canal
Share your insights
for Canal improvements
Your input is more important now than ever!
As the Conservancy focuses on implementing critical projects across all 71 miles as recommended by the community-informed Plan for the High Line Canal, your input as a community member is more important than ever.
As Canal users, you know best and can help inform what types of improvements are needed and where. Among the 100+ projects recommended in The Plan, approximately ten locations along the Canal have been identified as Canal Improvement Zones – where community-driven enhancements can increase safety, use and enjoyment of the Canal! These improvements may include improved access, nature play, benches, signage, gathering areas, fitness stations, landscape enhancements and more.
See below for how you can get involved and speak up for the Canal in your community. Note: projects listed in order from south (mile 0) to north (mile 71) along the Canal.
Jump to projects in your area: Douglas County | Denver | Aurora
Projects Open for Input
Northeast Community Engagement (Unincorporated Arapahoe County, Denver & AURORA)
ACCIÓN DE LA COMUNIDAD DEL NORESTE (CONDADO DE ARAPAHOE NO INCORPORADO, DENVER Y AURORA)
Join us as we co-create future trail improvements along the 28 northern miles of the Canal. We are engaging community members and neighbors of the northeast sections of the Canal in Aurora, Denver and unincorporated Arapahoe County to understand the various needs for the open space. There are many opportunities for community members, especially those with underrepresented identities in conservation, to lead this outreach and help decide which trail amenities will increase the accessibility and enjoyment of the trail for all. Take a survey about what you want to see in the Northeast.
Acompáñenos en la creación de futuras mejoras de los senderos a lo largo de las 28 millas del norte del Canal. Estamos involucrando a los miembros de la comunidad y a los vecinos de las secciones del noreste del Canal en Aurora, Denver y la zona no incorporada del condado de Arapahoe para entender las diversas necesidades del espacio abierto. Hay muchas oportunidades para que los miembros de la comunidad, especialmente aquellos con identidades poco representadas en la conservación, dirijan este alcance y ayuden a decidir qué servicios del sendero aumentarán la accesibilidad y disfrutar para todos. Responda a una encuesta sobre lo que quiere ver en el Noreste.
Green Valley Ranch Improvements
Join us as we co-create future trail improvements along the Canal in Green Valley Ranch. The Conservancy has launched a community-centered design process for the improvement of the High Line Canal trail in Green Valley Ranch. Partnered with Denver Parks and Recreation, our goal is to work with community members and trail users to enhance the trail in your neighborhood. In the Green Valley Ranch neighborhood of Far Northeast Denver the Conservancy is asking neighbors and trail users to help prioritize and plan improvements – get involved!
Únase a nosotros en la creación conjunta de futuras mejoras para el sendero a lo largo del Canal en Green Valley Ranch. The Conservancy ha lanzado un proceso de diseño centrado en la comunidad para la mejora del sendero del High Line Canal en Green Valley Ranch. En asociación con Denver Parks and Recreation (Parques y Recreación de Denver), nuestro objetivo es trabajar con los miembros de la comunidad y con los usuarios del sendero, para mejorar el sendero en su vecindario. El vecindario de Green Valley Ranch en el extremo noroeste de Denver, the Conservancy les está pidiendo a los vecinos y a los usuarios del sendero que ayuden a priorizar y planificar las mejoras – ¡participe!
Central Aurora Improvements
Join us as we co-create future trail improvements along the Canal through the Central Aurora neighborhoods of Highland Park East, Highline Villages and Lyn Knoll. The Conservancy has launched a community-centered design process for the Aurora section of the High Line Canal in partnership with Aurora Parks and Recreation. Our goal is to work with community members and trail users to enhance the trail in your neighborhood. We are asking neighbors and trail users to help prioritize and plan improvements – get involved!
Únase a nosotros mientras co-creamos futuras mejoras de senderos a lo largo del Canal a través de los vecindarios de Central Aurora de Highland Park East, Highline Villages y Lyn Knoll. The Conservancy ha lanzado un proceso de diseño centrado en la comunidad para la sección Aurora del Canal High Line en asociación con Aurora Parks and Recreation. Nuestro objetivo es trabajar con miembros de la comunidad y usuarios de senderos para mejorar el sendero en su vecindario. Estamos pidiendo a los vecinos y usuarios de los senderos que nos ayuden a priorizar y planificar mejoras: ¡participe!
North Aurora Improvements
Join us as we co-create future trail improvements along the Canal through the North Aurora Neighborhoods of Laredo Highline, Norfolk Glen, Friendly Village, Kirkegaard Acres and Tower Triangle. The Conservancy has launched a community-centered design process for the Aurora section of the High Line Canal in partnership with Aurora Parks and Recreation. Our goal is to work with community members and trail users to enhance the trail in your neighborhood. We are asking neighbors and trail users to help prioritize and plan improvements – get involved!
The Conservancy ha puesto en marcha un proceso de diseño centrado en la comunidad para la mejora del sendero de High Line Canal en Aurora. En asociación con Aurora Parks, Recreation and Open Space, nuestro objetivo es trabajar con los miembros de la comunidad y con los usuarios del sendero, para mejorar el sendero en su vecindario. El vecindario de Aurora, The Conservancy les está pidiendo a los vecinos y a los usuarios del sendero que ayuden a priorizar y planificar las mejoras, tales como los señalamientos, asientos, zonas de reunión, estaciones de entrenamiento, estructuras de sombra, puntos de entrada accesibles, zonas de juegos en la naturaleza y mucho más.
Recently Collected Project Input
Lee Gulch Amenity Area (LITTLETON, SSPRD)
The stretch of Canal adjacent to Horseshoe park and near the intersection with Lee Gulch is a priority for improvements.
Upcoming improvements: SSPRD and the Conservancy partnered on the design of amenities and safety improvements at the juncture of the High Line Canal trail and Lee Gulch trail in Littleton. These amenities will create a pause place near the historic Lee Gulch flume, one of three wooden flumes remaining on the Canal, adding seating and interpretation along with select natural play elements. Construction is scheduled for summer of 2024.
Improvements to date: The Elati Street pedestrian bridge was replaced in early 2024. As a part of the project a pause place with a bench was added between the trail and the Canal and bird houses were added in the adjacent Horseshoe Park. In 2021, fifty new trees were planted in the area.
These improvements have been funded by the High Line Canal Conservancy, South Suburban Parks and Recreation, the City of Littleton and Arapahoe County Open Spaces, these trail improvements will be implemented through a community-informed design process. Learn more about this project by viewing this factsheet from July 2021.
Learn more about the project and see design renderings in this short informational video. Review the PowerPoint, here.
Public input is now closed. If you would like to share additional feedback please email hello@highlinecanal.org.
Themes to highlight from community feedback include:
Keep it natural
Enhance access, seating & interpretation
Improve safety for all trail users
Parker Rd to Havana St TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS (DENVER)
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 8’ asphalt trail to a 10’ concrete trail with an adjacent 6’ crusher fines trail and meet ADA standards. The project is a partnership between Denver Parks & Recreation and the High Line Canal Conservancy.
A virtual informational meeting was held July 2022. You can view the recording here.
Laredo Highline IMPROVEMENTS (AURORA)
The High Line Canal Conservancy is working to promote physical activity along the trail through community-informed trail enhancements. With funding from the Colorado Health Foundation, these improvements are currently focused on the Laredo Highline neighborhood, between 6th Ave and Colfax in Aurora. As we begin to enhance the Canal with new signage, a pedestrian bridge and user amenities, your feedback is greatly appreciated. Learn more about this project by viewing this factsheet.
Speak up for the Canal: Take this brief survey.
Origin Trailhead (Douglas County)
The Conservancy is working with Douglas County to enhance the small, informal trailhead at Waterton Road and the High Line Canal as recommended in The Plan for the High Line Canal. These trailhead enhancements will improve access, provide amenities and educate users about the Canal’s unique history and origins. Last year, we completed the design process for the High Line Canal Origin Trailhead, and we heard from over 200 community members. You spoke up for the Canal and informed the designs for the trailhead – check out the progress below:
- Read the Community Feedback Summary
- Learn about the preferred plan:
