5439 Cedar Valley Drive
Loveland, CO  80537

(MAP)

Open sunrise to sunset daily.

33-acre natural area along the west Big Thompson River 

0.7-mile natural-surface pedestrian trail (no dogs, bicycles or golf carts allowed) 

Wildlife viewing, nature study, restored wetland and river habitats

MAP AND REGULATIONS

About Morey Wildlife Reserve

The City of Loveland opened Morey Wildlife Reserve to the public in 2008. The property is located near the Big Thompson River, just west of Mariana Butte Golf Course. 

The city purchased the initial 27.5-acre natural area in 2000. The Open Lands & Trails Division and the previous owner conducted reclamation and restoration activities following gravel mining activities and prior to opening the site for public access. An adjacent 5.7-acre parcel was purchased in 2013, bringing the total size to 33.2 acres.  

A Conservation Easement on the property is held by Colorado Open Lands and prohibits dogs, bicycles and jogging, to protect the site's conservation values.

Allowed uses include passive recreation activities, providing excellent opportunities for bird watching, wildlife observation, nature study and environmental education. Morey Wildlife Reserve is a "Birding Hotspot" on www.eBird.org, which has a current list of birds observed at the Morey site. 

Fishing is permitted along a short stretch of the Big Thompson River at the north end of the trail. 

To protect the property’s sensitive natural resources, dogs and other domestic animals are prohibited on the property at all times. Bicycling, jogging and golf carts also are prohibited.

The site is open for walk-in access from sunrise to sunset. Volunteer trail hosts are available onsite at various times to answer questions and provide visitor information.

Amenities

• Public access via walk-in entrance at 5439 Cedar Valley Drive
• Parking available on Cedar Valley Drive and other neighborhood streets
• Kiosk area near entrance contains:
  • Restrooms
  • Bike rack
  • Trash can
  • Bench
  • Sign with site map, rules, regulations and site features
• Improved 0.7-mile natural-surface trail with crusher fines

Restoration at Morey Wildlife Reserve

The 2013 flood filled in the former 10.5-acre Morey Pond with sand and sediment, essentially returning the site to its pre-gravel mining condition.  The Open Lands Division worked with consultants and volunteers to restore the site, with help from a Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) grant and a National Emergency Grant (NEG) crew. Local volunteers and the NEG crew planted thousands of native wetland and riparian grasses, shrubs, willows, and cottonwoods in spring 2016 to restore and improve wildlife habitat.  The pedestrian trail was rebuilt in 2015 following the flood.    

Volunteer trail-building project a great success!  

In June 2016, a group of Loveland volunteers celebrated National Trails Day® with a trail-building event at Morey Wildlife Reserve. Volunteers helped complete a new section of natural-surface walking trail by removing vegetation from the trail alignment, placing "crusher fines" (crushed granite) on the trail, and then spreading, raking, leveling and tamping the material in place.  This project added a loop around and through the former pond site, to provide a total trail of 0.7 mile. 

History

• The site was evaluated by Colorado Parks & Wildlife prior to purchase for its suitability for wildlife habitat and viewing. CPW gave the site high marks and agreed with the proposed uses.
• Funding was provided by the City of Loveland and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO).
• The property consists of 33.2 acres. 
• The site was gravel mined and reclaimed by the Morey family.
• A Conservation Easement is held by Colorado Open Lands (formerly Legacy Land Trust). The easement language promotes wildlife viewing by the public. It allows for an environmental education center, restrooms, parking lot, trail and other amenities. The easement prohibits active recreation such as hunting, fishing, bicycling, jogging, and dogs.
• A restroom facility was constructed in 2004, serving the needs of Mariana Butte Golf Course and Morey Wildlife Reserve visitors. 

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