The Greenway and Nature Center of Pueblo can best be described as an amazing sanctuary. Beauty surrounds the center nestled beside the famous Arkansas River just west of Pueblo, Colorado. The Center seeks to educate visitors through the numerous conservation and rehabilitation undertakings. This nature gem of Pueblo offers visitors many recreational opportunities including fishing, kayaking, horseback riding, bicycling, and nature viewing. There are many locations where guests of the Center can enjoy a quiet, relaxing picnic. The Garden and botanic displays are beautiful during the different seasons. The Greenway and Nature Center is open year round. There is adequate parking on the center grounds.
The Arkansas River Trail travels right past the Center. Its smooth path accommodates pedestrians as well as biking enthusiasts. Beauty surrounds the users of the trail with riparian woodlands and overhanging rock formations. The trails total over 36 miles and travel around Lake Pueblo. The 150 foot fishing pier is popular spot for the anglers, young and old, during the warmer months. The trek along the river stretches in both directions. Taking the path heading east will lead travelers through town to the Pueblo Whitewater Park. Although not quite as beautiful as the trail heading west, there is an added opportunity to sample some of the local cuisine along the way to the Whitewater Park. If the westerly direction is taken, which is most popular for birders, the trail will take you through gentle cottonwood stands eventually ending at the Pueblo Reservoir Dam. This westerly direction is a more peaceful excursion. The proposed Front Range Trail is supposed to eventually connect to the Pikes Peak Greenway.
Greenway and Nature Center is home to the Pueblo Raptor Center which is known for its rehabilitation efforts for injured birds of prey. The Raptor Center is considered one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Center. The treatment facility takes care of various injuries to eagles, owls, and hawks. Visitors can observe resident birds of prey that are recovering from injuries and in some cases have become permanent residents of the Raptor Center. The goal of the Raptor Center is to nurse the injured birds back to health in order for them to be released back to the wild. When this isn't possible they are taken care of as permanent inhabitants of the Center. Although their injuries are regrettable, they are fortunate to have the Center as their home. Children can have fun on the large playground located within the Center boundaries. Horseshoe pits, volleyball courts and bicycle rentals are a few of the recreational facilities visitors will find for their enjoyment. Guests of all ages are encouraged to participate in the various educational programs conducted by the staff members. A full service restaurant is available after working up an appetite cruising around the grounds of the Greenway and Raptor Centers.
After a long day of enjoying the wonders of nature within the Greenway and Nature Center and the Pueblo Raptor Center, be sure to stop in the city of Pueblo itself. There you will find a vast array of restaurants where some of the area's best southwestern cooking can be enjoyed.
