El Paso County Parks and Trails Construction and Closures

Homestead Ranch Regional Park Trail Construction

El Paso County Parks will have a contractor working at Homestead Ranch Regional Park from October to December 2023 on a project to improve the parking area and trails. Parking improvements include rip rap and improved drainage to the existing gravel lot. Trail work includes ditching, culverts, and new trail surfacing in places. The park will remain open during construction, although select trail closures may occur. Thank you for your patience as we improve Homestead Ranch Regional Park.

Fountain Creek Regional Trail Section Closure

Fountain Creek Regional Trail will be closed under South Academy Boulevard for approximately five months (March 2024) for drainage work. Detours will be in place: cyclists and pedestrians can either travel west to cross South Academy Boulevard on the pedestrian bridge or use Wilshire Drive and Welton Drive to cross over on Hartford Street.

Paint Mines Interpretive Park Construction

New post and dowel fencing will be installed at Paint Mines Interpretive Park beginning Monday, September 25, 2023, to the east of the Overlook Parking lot. Selective trail closures may occur for the next two weeks. Detours will be available during construction and the park will remain open during this time.

Playground Closure at Fountain Creek Regional Park

El Paso County Parks is excited to announce an upcoming playground improvement project at Fountain Creek Regional Park. Improvements include playground component replacement and installation of new safety surfacing. Due to the scale and scope of the work being completed, the playground will be closed starting 9/22/23. We anticipate the project being completed and the playground reopened by 10/11/23. We appreciate your patience.

Areas with trail damage

Please use caution when using El Paso County trails. We have experienced significant trail damages at:

Hanson Park

Fountain Creek Regional Trail

Willow Springs Ponds

Clear Spring Ranch

Pineries Open Space

Please avoid areas that are fenced off and watch out for repair crews and equipment.

Avoid using trails during and after flood watches and warnings.

Northgate Trailhead Permanent Closure

Permanent Trailhead Closure: The Northgate Parking Area and Trailhead that provides access to the New Santa Fe Trail have been permanently closed by the Air Force Academy due to the construction of the new visitors center. The nearest trailhead with open access will be Baptist Road. Once the new visitors center has been completed a new trailhead with parking will be implemented. The trail will remain open during this time. Unchanged: Permanent Trailhead Closure: The Northgate Parking Area and Trailhead that provides access to the New Santa Fe Trail have been permanently closed by the Air Force Academy due to the construction of the new visitors center. The nearest trailhead with open access will be Baptist Road. Once the new visitors center has been completed a new trailhead with parking will be implemented. The trail will remain open during this time.

For any questions or concerns please contact the El Paso County Parks office at (719)520-7529 or by email Parks@elpasoco.com