West Avon Preserve Trails Open Sunday!

Town officials announced the seasonal opening of the entire West Avon Preserve (WAP) trail system following an extended closure this spring due to mud and snow. While the trail system is opening, users are advised that Holy Cross energy will be performing utility work for the next three weeks on the bottom half of the WAP. This may result in temporary closures and disturbance to areas of the Avon Singletree connector trail. Access from the Singletree neighborhood will be closed for the duration of the utility work.

The Town of Avon takes this opportunity to remind the community that the following guidelines are in place during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic:

• Outdoor recreation in the WAP is limited to Eagle County residents as defined by the most recent Eagle County Health Order.
• Social distancing must be maintained, and no groups larger than 10 are permitted.
• Crowding at trailheads is not permissible.

The trails were opened after an evaluation determined there was no significant damage from winter snowmelt or erosion. While the trails system will officially open, muddy trails are always closed. If you encounter mud on any trail, please save and protect the trail by turning around! Hiking and biking on muddy trails threatens their longevity by increasing erosion leading to the loss of the rolling contours that make the WAP so much fun!

Those who use the trail system are asked to respect others and abide by the following trail etiquette:

• Downhill travelers yield to uphill travelers
• Alert others when passing from behind
• Bikers yield to joggers and walkers; joggers yield to walkers
• Don’t create new trails or walk around obstacles; stay on the trail
• Leave no trace
• No camping
• No smoking
• No alcohol
• No hunting
• No fires or fireworks
• No motorized vehicles, including E-bikes
• No launching, landing or operating drones from Town property without permission of the Town.

Four-legged best friends are allowed off-leash in the WAP but must be under voice control and the owner must have a leash in his or her possession. Dog owners must promptly remove fecal waste and deposit it in a proper trash container.

To enjoy this beautiful open space, parking is available at Nottingham Road, Beaver Creek Point, and the O’Neal Spur Pocket Parks. Restroom facilities are available at the O’Neal Spur Pocket Park, which is also ADA Accessible. The water fountain at the O’Neal Spur Pocket Park will be operational once freeze cycles cease. A water filling station is also available on the side of the Mountain Center building near the Nottingham Road cul-de-sac and trailhead.

For more information on the WAP trail system, please contact Town of Avon Planning Director Matt Pielsticker at (970) 748-4413 or mpielsticker@avon.org. To report violations, contact Vail Dispatch at (970) 479-2200.