The long detour of users of the High Line Canal Trail in Littleton around Jackass Hill Park is soon to be a thing of the past.

The City of Littleton is planning to reopen a trail connection between the Jackass Hill neighborhood and the High Line Canal Trail, following a surveyor’s report confirming the city owns the public right-of-way on the trail segment, the city announced Monday in a news release.

According to Littleton officials, access to the 400-foot trail was closed in November 2024 by an adjacent homeowner who understood the area to be on their private property.

The city said that since November staff have focused on connecting with the adjacent homeowner to understand their existing concerns with the trail link, in an attempt to mitigate them and reach a mutually beneficial outcome.

After many unsuccessful attempts to connect, the city ordered a property survey to determine the exact location of the public right-of-way and engaged outside legal counsel to conduct property research and advise on the city’s ownership rights.

Neighbors were upset about the closure, as children also used it to walk to school.

There are approximately 90,000 yearly users of the segment of High Line Canal Trail that bends near Jackass Hill, which is close to Santa Fe Drive and Mineral Avenue.

“We advocate for safe routes for pedestrians, bicycles, kids to get to school, affordable housing, local businesses,” one neighbor told 9NEWS at the time of the closure.

The 400-foot section of a dirt path that connected the High Line Canal Trail with Jackass Hill Park was shut with a gate and a chain and a notice sign in November.

“PRIVATE PROPERTY & DRIVEWAY – VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED – Use Mineral Ave. for access.”

According to the city, prior to completion of the survey work, the city had explored the possibility of constructing a new trail on a property to the south, but after considering all factors, decided that re-opening the existing trail will be the most cost-effective and timely way to reestablish the trail for the public.

“The trail segment is a critical connection and important to local residents seeking to access or depart the High Line Canal Trail, a beloved regional amenity that offers natural beauty to bicyclists and pedestrians,” according to the news release. “Without access to the trail segment, users face a one-mile detour on surface streets.”

Since successfully reaching the adjacent homeowner in mid-March, the city has been committed to continuing an open and productive dialogue to address any concerns related to the public use of the trail, and to ensure coordination with the city’s plans and timeline for reopening the trail.

The city said “ensuring access to trails and open spaces is a significant element of Littleton’s strategic plan goal to ensure the city is a sustainable community with natural beauty.”

The city will continue to work in partnership with South Suburban Parks and Recreation, High Line Canal Conservancy and Arapahoe County to address the need for future trail improvements. Project updates will be shared as they become available.

The City of Littleton anticipates the trail will be reopened by May 1.

The Denver Gazette’s news partners 9NEWS contributed to this report.