October 2024 update
Our work to stabilize a section of Monument Creek near Mesa Road Bridge is complete, and the new pedestrian ramp and underpass at the bridge will open Nov. 1. Join us and City Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 1 to walk/pedal through a ceremonial ribbon at the top of the south ramp at Mesa Road Bridge.
Critical wastewater infrastructure that lies beneath the creek bed is now protected from potential exposure and damage and Pikes Peak Greenway Trail users will have safer access to the creek channel.
The work required us to close a small section of the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail near Mesa Road last October for construction vehicle access and to ensure public safety. We are completing revegetation of the riparian area as work is wrapping up.
Creek work: completed
Pedestrian ramp/underpass work: July-Oct. 2024
• Handrail installation: Sept.-Oct. 2024
• Greenway Trail section reopens: Nov. 1, 2024
Site clean-up & revegetation: July-Oct. 2024
Revegetated areas will be monitored up to five years to ensure plant growth.
Project details
Degradation and erosion along the creek between Mesa Road and Bijou Street caused the channel to lower significantly over time, increasing risk to a large (42-inch) wastewater interceptor along the creek. We also needed to protect nearby non-potable and finished water mains.
Beginning in October 2023, the creek channel was raised in select locations along a 3,500-foot section and returned to pre-erosion levels. Work included the installation of boulder drop structures to control energy dissipation, and bank reinforcement.
With generous support from City Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) we are also:
- Installing a pedestrian access ramp from the nearby trail to provide safe access to the channel corridor for recreational activities.
- Constructing an underpass at Mesa Road to improve safety.
The project prioritized preservation of historic components of the corridor, as well as minimizing the environmental impacts of our work. Of note:
- We worked collaboratively with PRCS to ensure State Historic Preservation Office requirements were met.
- We adhered to deed restrictions of Monument Valley Park.
- We added protections for a portion of the historic rockwork in the channel that was built under FDR’s Works Progress Administration to control flooding.
- We are restoring native vegetation to the area to maintain the wetland ecosystem.
- FEMA regulations were followed to ensure the 100-year floodplain was not negatively impacted.
Questions about the project may be directed to engage@csu.org or by calling (719) 668-7765.
