Lory State Park invites the public to celebrate its 40th Anniversary milestone at the Soldier Canyon Group Picnic Area on July 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Forty years ago on May 7, 1975, it was named Lory State Park in honor of Charles A. Lory, an early settler in the area and president of the Colorado Agricultural College at Colorado State University from 1909 to 1940.
Lory State Park is located in beautiful Bellvue and offers visitors a variety of rugged terrain and stunning vistas of the northern Colorado Front Range. The park covers almost 2,600 acres and features 26 miles of trails that lead through forests, meadows and rock-outcroppings, offering visitors great terrain for mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, bouldering and horseback riding.
Park staff and volunteers will be available to provide information, and the park education team will present a living history program highlighting the Howard family, the most famous family to homestead in Lory State Park.
The Friends of Lory State Park, the park’s supporting organization, as well as many other local organizations and partners will be in attendance. Food trucks will have a variety of food options available and outdoor gear vendors will demonstrate the latest in outdoor equipment. Emergency responders, representatives from the City of Fort Collins’ natural areas and the Colorado State Forest Service are also scheduled to present information.
Additional information about Lory State Park is available at www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/Lory.