Castle Rock is renowned for its dedication to the outdoor lifestyle, and its natural trails are among the best example of that commitment. The town is home to miles of public trails throughout its open space and parks and most of those trails are built with the natural landscape in mind.
A handful of them however, have more in mind, including the science of kinesthetics. No, kinesthetics is not a new type of exercise. It is a methodology to take into account the sensations from the movement of every part of the body and it is a primary focus for the company that constructed many of the natural trails in the Castle Rock region.
The experts at Arrowhead Trails in Salida led the way for several natural trails in Castle Rock, with a mission to promote long term sustainability in public trails that protect natural and cultural resources.
Owner Tony Boone is a man who clearly enjoys his job and has a passion for natural trails that provide enjoyment for users in every possible way. Boone prides himself as a specialist in mountain bike trails that conform to the natural terrain and stand the test of time.
His main goal however is to make the trail visually and aesthetically pleasing as well as kinesthetically challenging for every type of user.
“It’s some very cool [stuff],]” he said.
Boone and his partner Danna Lambert opened Arrowhead Trails in 1994 and have trails in 10 states and several countries, including Costa Rica, Canada and the Philippines.
Boone’s enthusiasm rises when he talks about what goes into his trails. He is an expert in trail design and was Castle Rock’s choice for miles of natural trails from The Meadows to Rhyolite Park.
Working with satellite mapping to avoid sensitive areas, Boone’s trails are built to protect local wildlife and native plants. Using the natural, on-site materials as the trail base, longevity is assured by following the natural contour of the land, often resulting in a rolling, undulating ride, he said.
Arrowhead’s natural trails have no surface treatment and are covered with native soil, creating a genuine outdoor experience for users.
Variety of grade provides a host of kinesthetic stimuli for riders and walkers, whose body movements naturally adjust to the terrain. Variety is also important when it comes to visual stimulation as well, Boone said.
“The thing that decides a trail is how enjoyable it is for the users,” he said. “You have to see the biggest tree, prettiest rock, nicest views of Castle Rock, from the most vast and sweeping to the more intimate view along the creek.”
Boone looks forward to the next project with Castle Rock’s trails supervisor Rich Havel, whose passion for the job matches his own, Boone said.
“People who enjoy their jobs are fantastic to work with,” he said.
The town’s newest Arrowhead Trails soft surface trail is 8 miles of track in the Meadows South and Red Hawk open space.
The town on June 6, National Trails Day, celebrated the opening of its latest trail, a concrete path from The Meadows to downtown.
For more about the town’s trails and recreation options, visit the Web site at www.crgov.com.