Monday, July 1, 2013

Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo, Colorado


I visited the scenic Historic Arkansas Riverwalk in Pueblo, Colorado early one-morning last year, when I accompanied my daughter on a business trip to the area.  The historic Riverwalk of Pueblo is a 32-acre urban waterfront experience that is opened to the public daily.



Information from the Riverwalk web site:

"The Riverwalk returned the river to its historic location in the heart of downtown Pueblo, after being diverted in the 1920s due to a devastating flood that destroyed much of Pueblo. The Riverwalk’s current location serves the community by revitalizing a segment of the downtown area that was previously unsightly and unusable. This urban development transforms the community and has been vital in attracting new businesses, thereby helping to stabilize the economic base of the city.

The Arkansas River has been the lifeblood of Pueblo for over 300 years. Native Americans followed the river for hunting and trapping. Early settlers came as sheepherders and cattlemen. Agriculture blossomed in Pueblo’s warmer climate and the steel industry used the bountiful water resources to build a massive manufacturing center. Four nations have claimed ownership over the Arkansas River at the current location of the Riverwalk; Mexico, Spain, France and the Republic of Texas."


The Riverwalk is two miles long and loops around in a continuous path, so it is easy to navigate by walking. Double click on the photo above to see a map of its points of interest.


One can buy a ticket in season, May through September, to ride along the river on an excursion boat, a gondola, or paddle boats.


I enjoyed walking along the entire Riverwalk pathway to see all the wonderful mosaics...


...and to read all the informational placards about the history of the Riverwalk


Please double click on the photo collage above to enlarge it, to read the information and quotations.



There are many sculptural exhibits, entertainment venues, interactive fountains, as well as restaurants on the Riverwalk, as well as nearby retail shops.


I already showed you the inspiring Center for American Values, that honors the American Medal of Honor recipients, which is located on the Riverwalk, in a prior post. (click here to read that post)


This beautiful sculpture on the Riverwalk is by David McGary, is modeled after a native Lakota woman who is displaying her treasured heirloom quilt. It is entitled "Walks Among the Stars."


Please double click on the mosaic above to enlarge it to see all the wonderful detail in the sculpture.


There are also quite a few placards on the Riverwalk that tell the story of Lieutenant Zebulon Pike's discovery and attempt to climb the mountain they called "Grand Peak," later known as Pike's Peak.


Please double click on the photo of the placard above to read more about Pike's discovery.


A view of Pike's Peak in the far distance.


More beautiful mosaics and sculpture on the Riverwalk that tell the story of the area.


Double click above to learn the interesting story behind the Arkansas River that begins its flow from the highest peak in Colorado, Mt. Elbert, elevation 14,433 feet.


A portion of the Riverwalk has a natural embankment. There you can see native Cottonwood trees


 I enjoyed sitting on this bench on the Riverwalk as I waited for my daughter to finish her business meeting so that we could return to Denver, about a two-hour ride away.


If you ever visit Pueblo, Colorado, I think you'll find that it is definitely worth making a visit to the beautiful Historic Arkansas Riverwalk. It is one of the highlights of the city!



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28 comments:

ellen b. said...

So many interesting new things to see in your new locale. It will be fun to see all the places you will go...

Kris said...

I love coming to hear your history lessons Pat!! That sculpture is fabulous!!! Just so wonderful! Of course, being a quilter, I have a special appreciation for that.
Lovely photos, as always.
xo Kris

Ola said...

Beatiful mosaics!

eileeninmd said...

Pat, this is a wonderful place for a walk. So many statues, mosaics and the pretty river scene to see. Wonderful photos. Have a happy week ahead!

Ann said...

what an interesting place. Love the mosaic on that wall.

Lynn said...

Another beautiful place to visit Pat! So nice to see a pretty spot like that in a city. Happy 4th of July Week:@)

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

You find the most interesting places Pat. Love the view of Pike's Peak. In our mountains we think 4,000 feet is a high elevation :)

I'm from Arkansas and I had no idea the Arkansas River ran through that area. I enjoyed reading about the Indians. We have a lot of Native American culture in the mountains of NC too.
Sam

Tracy said...

Just really LOVING to see all the variety you have there in CO, Pat! And LOVE that Walks Among the Stars monument. :o) Happy Days ((HUGS)) P.S. I will soon be closing my PranaLight blog and opening a new creative space--more soon!

podso said...

What an amazing place to visit. The color reminds me of the canyons. I'm so glad you included close ups of the sculpture! Love the detail.

La Petite Gallery said...

Now, I could live around here. Got to be by the water. This reminds me of how San Antonio first started out. Love that Indian Statue, this really is a beautiful town with History.
By-th-way do BEARS come into town??
I wish the Politicians practiced
American Values like Honor,
Integrity and Patriotism.

Tanna said...

The mosaics and sculptures are GORGEOUS, Pat!! Such a beautiful place. blessings ~ tanna

Anonymous said...

This is really an amazing place! I'd like to see more places like this one day visiting the US...

Thoughts on Life and Millinery. said...

My Colorado Springs friend Gail had mentioned us going here during my next visit. Great preview!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

I have never been to Pueblo--but I certainly am impressed at the Riverwalk and the way they have that area fixed up.... Gorgeous!!! The riverwalk reminds me some of the riverwalk at San Antonio, Texas...

Strange to see the Arkansas River in Colorado... BUT--I knew it was there since it is the Arkansas River which flows through the Royal Gorge...(I'm still sick about the fires that destroyed that area.)

Hugs,
Betsy

Sharon said...

How lovely - we so enjoy finding things just like this and have never explored Pueblo. We've talked about finding a different route from TN to CO next time (we're tired of I-70 through Missouri and Kansas!) and have even looked at a southern route through Arkansas and Oklahoma. Pueblo would work itself into that quite nicely!!

Pamela Gordon said...

This is a beautiful downtown and the river that flows through it. I guess they haven't had any major flooding since it was diverted back to it's original path. That would be terrible! It certainly is a wonderful place to walk and explore. Pamela

Old Kitty said...

I love that the pavements/towpaths are clay red!

What a most fascinating walk! It's great the mighty Arkansas river continues to help the surrounding area of Pueblo - and am also glad it's been forgiven for the 1921 catastrophe!

I've never seen cottonwood trees either - I'm sure it's in a song I know but I can't place it right now - but there you go! Cottonwood trees.

The mosaics and Walks Among the Stars sculpture are beautiful - very striking and stunning!

Hooorah for Pike and his Peak! LOL! I hope he and his men survived the Spanish capture! Take care
x

Sarah said...

Pat, that is one of the pretties sights I've seen. What a treasure for Pueblo, CO.
Bloglovin doesn't recognize my blog, but you can sign up for email subscriptions on my sidebar. Not sure what is up with Bloglovin because I get a daily update of my favorite blogs from them. Just doesn't recognize my feed. ;-(

Linda said...

I love "going with you" on all your trips...such fun! I have been trying feedly...not sure what I like about them all though! Have a great evening!!

Beverly said...

Thank you for the tour, Pat. This is an amazing asset for the city and the residents and visitors.

Judy said...

Who knew there was a Riverwalk in CO? I quite like the San Antonio Riverwalk...so I'm sure I would enjoy 'yours' as well. Next time we visit. :)

diane b said...

I read this post some time ago but then got sidetracked with Bloglovin' and Feedly. This riverwalk looks a lovely place to be while waiting for your daughter. It is so nice to see cities spruce up industrial areas by the riverside. I would really enjoy this walk. You are showing us what a beautiful state Colorado is, I would like to visit one day but doubt it will happen.

annie said...

Loved this tour!
Happy 4th of July.

Margaret said...

Hi Pat, Very scenic and full of history! I loved going on this Riverwalk with you :) Splendid post! Happy 4th of July celebrating!
Margaret from B.C.

Cindy said...

That's a gorgeous river walk, if we are ever in that area we would thoroughly enjoy the walk along the river.
Have a wonderful week!

Vee said...

Does your daughter go on lots of business trips? What a fun way to tag along and get to see all the sights! The Lakota woman sculpture is exquisite. I liked that best of all.

Ciao Chow Linda said...

What a great place for walking. I love the mosaics, especially, and the Lakota woman with her quilt.

Mary Lee said...

You're taking me to a part of the US I've never seen. FUN!

We used to live next door to a huge cottonwood tree in Wisconsin. This was back in the days when we put up storm windows in the fall and replaced them with screens in the summer. We couldn't put up the screens until after the puffy cottonwood seeds were gone, or we'd have bearded screens all summer.