Bird-Spotting To Be Focus Of Arvada Trail Festival

ARVADA, CO -- "Bird is the word" this year as Arvada prepares to celebrate National Trails Day June 2 with the city's own Trails Day festival. Every year, the city encourages residents and visitors to celebrate Arvada's 150 miles of trails. But this year, make sure to bring your binoculars.

To celebrate the 2018 Year of the Bird, everyone is encouraged help JeffCo count any feathered friends on Arvada's trails The festival will also sponsor bird-themed games and nature activities.

The events begin at Majestic View Park North Parking Lot (W. 72nd Ave just West of Carr St.) with the 9 a.m. 5-mile Family Bike Ride or a 18-mile Recreational Bike Ride.

Other family-friendly events at the festival include:

• $50 prize drawings toward local outdoor stores
• Live Bird demonstrations and meet other animal friends from Nature’s Educators: Colorado Wildlife and Raptor organization.
• Free refreshments, both tasty and healthy!
• Kids’ games and activities
• 9:30 a.m. Guided nature walks within both Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge and Majestic View Park. (Dogs are not allowed.)
• Discover special photo spots, perfect for spotting birds or taking a great family photo

How to register for bird watching

JeffCo Open Space's The Big Year project aims to identify, by sight or sound, the largest number of species of birds within Jefferson County between January 1 through December 31, 2018.

To participate:

Register on Eventbrite

Start an account through ebird to track your progress

Bike Riding events

In cooperation with the Arvada Bike Advisory Group, two special rides have been developed for Arvada's Trails Day festival.

The Family Ride will be a 4.5 mile ride on trails and bike friendly streets. "You will be on seldom usesd trails and see places in Arvada that you never knew existed," event organizers said.

The Rec Ride is an 18 mile ride and has a new route this year. "You will be on bike friendly streets and follow the Van Bibber Creek, Blunn and Ralston Creek Trails. There will be some great views as you head west to Long Lake before returning down hill."

Riding to the festival? Use Ralston Creek Trail or Little Dry Creek Trail to get there, the city recommends.

See map below

Parking is available at both sites. Two Ponds parking at 80th and Kipling. Majestic View parking at 7030 Garrison St.

Find out more at the Arvada Festivals website

Image via Shutterstock