March 12, 2022
I believe our parks and trail system makes Windsor a special place. Having trail-connected neighborhoods helps us maintain the small town feel we all desire. I very proud of what we accomplished over the last 4 years and I’m excited about upcoming changes approved during my first term.
When I was running for Town Board in 2018, I would go door-to-door telling people that Windsor was building a trail from Boardwalk Park to Severance and Eaton (the Great Western Trail), but Windsor residents in Districts 1 and 2 did not have a safe or easy path to walk or bike to Downtown Windsor. I was determined to connect District 2 to Downtown and I did it!
In my first term, I served on Windsor’s Parks, Recreation & Culture Advisory Board and I represented Windsor on the Poudre River Trail Corridor Board of Directors. I built the relationships and partnerships to achieve my goal. There were 2 major obstacles:
- I was able to integrate a crosswalk across Main Street (Highway-392) when we upgraded the intersection with turning lanes and a new signal.
- I partnered with Larimer County to get $400,000 of funding from the voter-approved trails and open space tax to build the pedestrian bridge over the Poudre River.
The new trail connects District 2 residents to Kyger Reservoir and Downtown Windsor. I take pride seeing my family, friends, and neighbors enjoying the trail and bridge.
We received a $2 million Great Outdoor Colorado (GOCO) Grant to extent the trail / bike path from Kyger Reservoir to Fort Collins going through Timnath and under I-25.
During my first term, we also completed the 1.5 mile trail around Kyger Reservior and a new trailhead to relieve the parking pressure at the Colorado Boulevard trailhead. There is now a 4-mile loop from the Poudre River Trail in River West neighborhood to River Bluff, Kyger, and back along Colorado Boulevard.
Windsor recently received a $128,000 Fishing Is Fun Grant to add fishing at Kyger Reservoir which will include an ADA accessible dock. The town is asking for public input regarding the Kyger Reservoir Master Plan so other amenities could be added, such as paddle-boarding, shade trees, benches, picnic areas, etc.
Longtime residents may remember the Frank State Wildlife Area that was converted into a gravel pit. The good news is that they are done mining and the Town of Windsor is working with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to acquire the 326 acre property along the Poudre River at no cost to taxpayers. Windsor plans to restore this area to be a nature and wildlife area in District 2.
I would like to add another pedestrian bridge over the Poudre River between Colorado Boulevard and Eastman Park. This would allow Raindance residents to cross the river into Downtown. A large portion of the town also lives along the north side of the river, but the Poudre River Trail is on the south side. A bridge would give residents access to the trail as well as the new Raindance National Resort & Golf Course. The Poudre River Trail is a great asset to our community and we should expand access to more Windsor residents.
Long term, I am also an advocate of trails connecting Windsor neighborhoods on the Colorado Boulevard corridor (District 2) to Windsor neighborhoods along CR-5 (District 1). The fact that River West, Ridge West, and Bison Ridge kids attend Bamford Elementary School at CR-30 and CR-5 in Highland Meadows makes this potential project more likely. We may be able to get a Safe Routes to School Grant to help fund the effort.
If re-elected, I will continue to advocate for parks, trails, and open space. If you care about these amenities, you should vote for Barry Wilson on or before April 5, 2022. Thank you.