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Trails

The ANIMAS RIVER TRAIL (map) has approximately 5 miles of hard-surface trail running through town along the beautiful Animas River, with 4.2 additional miles planned for the future. The north end of this popular trail is the intersection of 32nd Avenue and E. 2nd Avenue (across the river from City Market North). It travels south through several city parks and across five bridges to the south end.

The development of the Animas River Trail in Durango has occurred over several decades, beginning in the 1970’s. A summary of the approximate dates the various sections were completed:

Year
Trail Segment Description
Comments
1976
 29th Street to the pedestrian bridge behind the Fairgrounds First asphalt trail segment completed by the City
1978
 Placement of the Pedestrian Bridge behind the Fairgrounds Old footbridge, relocated from Smelter Mountain
1978
 Trail behind the High School Constructed when the High School was built
1979
 Rank Park trail segment Park development and trail adjacent to the High School
1980
 Trail segment from Highway 160 at Camino del Rio to Whitewater Park Trail was constructed with the Hwy 550 project
1984
 Riverfront Park trail segment Trail was constructed with the development of the park
1984
 Doubletree Hotel trail segment Trail was constructed by the hotel when it developed
1986
 Whitewater and Santa Rita Park trail segment Trail was constructed with the development of the park
1991
 Santa Rita Park trail segment, near the playground to the pedestrian bridge Included the conversion of the existing La Posta Road bridge to a pedestrian only bridge
1992
 Mercy Hospital trail segment, between the hospital and railroad tracks
Constructed in the railroad right of way
1992
 Iris Park trail segment Trail was constructed with the development of the park
1993
 Trail segment from Santa Rita bridge to the
Durango Mall		 Trail was constructed with the
extension of the sewer line south
1994
 Albertsons trail segment Trail was constructed by Albertsons when it developed
1996
 Highway 160 underpass Linked the trail behind the Doubletree to the Hwy 550 trail segment
1996
 Junction Creek pedestrian bridge Linked the trail behind the hospital to Rank Park
1996
 Rotary Park pedestrian bridge and trail Linked the trail behind the hospital to Rotary Park
1998
 Holiday Inn trail segment Linked the trail from 9th St. to the trail behind Albertsons
1998
 Walmart trail segment
Trail was constructed by Walmart when it developed
2001
 Iris to Schneider Park Bridge and Trail Linked the trail in Iris Park through Schneider Park to 9th Street
2002
 9th Street Underpass Linked the trail along the 9th St. Bridge to the Holiday Inn trail segment
2004
 15th Street to Swinging Bridge Linked the trail in Riverfront Park to 15th St.
2005
 Cundiff Park to Rivergate bridge and trail Spur trail from Cundiff Park to Rivergate
2005
 Main Avenue Underpass Linked the trail in Rotary Park to 15th St.
2006
 Durango Mall Segment Constructed trail segment to the east of the Durango Mall
2007
 Skate Park Spur Constructed spur along the skate park between the Schneider Park Bridge and the north end of Roosa Avenue
2007
 Humane Society Segment

 Constructed trail segment to the west of the La Plata County Humane Society, linked to the north end of the Wal-Mart section