October 15, 2002

Contact: Rae Todd 970-229-5255

Contact: Marty Heffernan 970-221-6064

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ground is Broken on Next Section of Power Trail

Participants in the Power Trail groundbreaking are (from left to right) Marty Heffernan, City of Fort Collins Cultural, Library and Recreational Services Director; Brian Moeck, General Manager of Platte River Power Authority; City of Fort Collins Mayor Ray Martinez; Deputy City Manager Diane Jones; and Craig Foreman, City of Fort Collins Manager of Park Planning

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — The second mile of the Power Trail (formerly known as the Union Pacific Trail) goes under construction today as ground is broken by Mayor Ray Martinez, Platte River General Manager Brian Moeck, City Manager John Fischbach and City of Fort Collins Cultural, Library and Recreational Services Director Marty Heffernan. The trail is located just to the west of Platte River’s headquarters site.
" To see the land Platte River donated to the City turn into a beautiful and useful trail is something we’ve been looking forward to," said Moeck. "The City has done a beautiful job on the first mile of trail from Prospect, south to Drake. I know a number of Platte River employees are planning to bike to work when construction on this next section is complete."
" I appreciate Platte River Power Authority being partners in our ongoing effort to promote bicycling and walking. More importantly, I appreciate their act of kindness in donating the land; this demonstrates friendship beyond mere partnership. It shows their commitment to building a "city of people"," said Mayor Ray Martinez.
The land for the bike path was donated to the City of Fort Collins in 1997 by Platte River. The bike path’s route follows one of Platte River’s 230,000 volt transmission lines to Harmony Road. The plans for the path have it linking the Spring Creek Trail on the north to the Harmony Road bike trail, Fossil Creek Trail and eventually to Loveland’s trail system.
" The City’s trail system is extremely popular and provides wonderful recreation opportunities to the community. There are few north-south bike trail connections in Fort Collins, so the Power Trail is a very important addition to our trail system," said Marty Heffernan, City of Fort Collins Cultural, Library and Recreational Services Director.
The first section of the Power Trail received $20,000 from lottery funds in 1998 for construction. These funds helped provide for a 10-foot-wide concrete path, an adjacent 5-foot soft running/walking path and a fence separating the path from the railroad tracks to the east.
" The trail is a wonderful addition to the City’s trail system and will offer residents of all ages a great opportunity to walk or cycle through this area," said John Fischbach, City Manager.
Platte River Power Authority generates and transmits reliable, low-cost and environmentally responsible electricity to its owner communities of Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland for delivery to their utility customers.
NOTE: The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. For activities that require registration, it is recommended that requests be made one week in advance by calling 224-6027, or TTD/TTY 224-6002.

-30-