Red Fox Meadows Natural Area#
Trail Status
Natural Areas is Listening
Please share your input on how ten Urban Zone natural areas and local natural spaces are managed, including Fischer Natural Area.
Your feedback will inform the priorities and tactics that will appear in the draft Zone Update.
Everyone is also invited to share input at drop-in events on April 23 at Twin Silos Park, May 6 at Red Fox Meadows, and June 18 at Shields Street River Access.
Description#
Red Fox Meadows is a neighborhood natural area and an stormwater detention site. There is something for both people and wildlife here: improved habitat for wildlife, trails and reduced flood risk for people. You'll want to check out the new parking lot near the intersection of Prospect and Taft Hill roads, the outdoor classroom boardwalk and Barb McKee's Art in Public Places piece featuring a heron and cattails in the outfall structure.
More About Canal Importation Ponds & Outfall (CIPO)#
The goals of the CIPO project are to protect people and properties from flooding; take homes out of the City-regulated floodplain through improvements; and restore and enhance affected wildlife habitat and natural areas.
Red Fox Meadows is designed and managed to:
- Increase local flood protection
- Prevent stormwater pollution
- Improve water quality in streams and groundwater
- Enhance wildlife habitat
- Provide recreational and educational opportunities.
Photos#
Misty Morning, Red Fox Meadows by Lin Wilder
Misty Morning, Red Fox Meadows by Lin Wilder
Trails#
About one mile of flat soft surface trail. Trail map here (pdf).
Hours#
5:00 a.m. 11:00 p.m.
Directions#
The parking lot is just south of the Prospect/Taft Hill Road intersection at approximately 1809 Longworth Drive.
Events and Activities#
- Free educational activities and events in June-October are listed in the Natural Areas Explorer booklet guide.
- Last minute activity additions, trail recommendations and events offered between November-May are in our free monthly electronic newsletter- sign up on this page.
- Check out the Natural Areas Learning Library for some great self-guided activities.
Related Information#
- Know before you go safety and recreation information.
- Core Natural Areas Management Plan
- Trail Map
- Special people have volunteered to take an active role in the stewardship of natural areas by doing monthly litter pick-ups. You can join the fun and adopt a natural area, too!
- Red Fox Meadows Reopens, an article by Dawn Wilson, volunteer Master Naturalist Assistant and Coloradoan newspaper contributor.
- Bird Checklist- Courtesy of Fort Collins Audubon Society