CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC until construction is complete.

2538 E.1st Street
Loveland, CO  80537 

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Willow Bend Natural Area, the Boise to Willow Bend Trail, and Willow Bend Park and Universal Access Playground are the culmination of a 10-year visioning, engaging, and planning effort to provide a first of its kind project in Loveland that combines a park and natural area facility, along with a 1.1-mile segment of the East Big Thompson Trail.

The new Willow Bend Natural Area will include passive recreation amenities such as an accessible fishing dock and pond, an environmental education amphitheater, and a trailhead serving both the soft-surface trail network within the natural area, as well as a new section of the paved East Big Thompson Trail, connecting Willow Bend to downtown Loveland, and in the future, connecting east to Johnstown via an I-25 underpass.

The dedicated trailhead parking area will include an ADA-accessible vault restroom and picnic area. The ADA-accessible fishing pier provides access to the pond south of the trailhead. The natural area will also be accessible via the new Boise to Willow Bend segment of the East Big Thompson Trail.  

The Big Thompson River Corridor, which represents the southern border of the project area, will offer numerous opportunities for educational and recreational connections to a beautiful and diverse ecosystem.

Click here to learn more about the Willow Bend Park and Universal Playground, site history and the public engagement process.

Loveland's Open Lands and Trails are funded through Capital Expansion Fees from new development, the Larimer County Open Lands Sales Tax, and Conservation Trust dollars (lottery dollars). Open Lands & Trails does not receive funding from the City's General Fund.

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