Broomfield County Commons is the city's central prairie open space

If you want a calm, flat place to walk in the middle of Broomfield, the County Commons Open Space is the easy answer. It sits near Sheridan Boulevard and West 132nd Avenue, with parking at the adjoining park, and a loop trail winds through open grassland.

This is true prairie open space, not a manicured park. The path is a mix of gravel, dirt, boardwalk, and pavement, and the ground stays mostly level, so it suits a wide range of walkers and riders. On a clear day the Front Range stands up on the western horizon, which is part of why people come back.

Two named waters sit along the loop. Tom Frost Reservoir has a community fishing deck, and Le Gault Reservoir has a wildlife viewing deck where you can watch birds without disturbing them. Native grasses and wildflowers come up in the warmer months, and you are likely to see prairie dogs, rabbits, hawks, and other birds going about their day.

Like Broomfield’s other open spaces, this is managed land with its own etiquette: dogs on leash, stay on the trail, and pack out what you bring. Because it is right in town, it gets steady use, so early mornings are quieter.

For the trail map, hours, and current rules, start with the City and County of Broomfield’s open space pages, which describe the County Commons and the rest of the local trail system.