Getting outside and checking out public art is one of my favorite things, so when I recently discovered that there's a trail in nearby Erie that features decorative canary sculptures along the route I just knew that I had to go check it out.
This trail is called the Canary Loop, and it's a two mile paved trail around historic Old Town Erie. Along the route, you'll find six canary sculptures designed by artist Gregory Fields in 2025. Each steel sculpture depicts a ceramic mosaic design featuring an aspect of life in Erie today and in the past.
Why canaries, I hear you ask? Well, like many towns in Northern Colorado, Erie was originally founded as a coal mining town. Canaries have a long history being used in coal mines to detect dangerous gases. It's dark, I know, but those little song birds saved the lives of many coal miners around the world, and Erie has paid tribute to them through these sculptures.
Let's take a look...
Given that the Canary Loop is, well, a loop, you can start anywhere along the trail, but I decided to start at the Erie Town Hall. Here you'll find a memorial dedicated to the miners of the Erie and Northern Coalfields. Perched atop the memorial, is a tiny canary. This little bird is not technically a part of the Canary Loop sculptures, but I wanted to include it anyway.
Farming & Settlers sculpture
Erie Town Hall, Holbrook & Wells Streets
Located in front of the historic Erie Town Hall building is the Farming & Settlers sculpture. This canary features a mosaic of early farming life on one side with a barn, golden fields, farm house and wagon. A spotted pattern in ochre, yellow and purple decorates the other side.
Nature Birds
High & Moffat Streets
A short 0.2 mile walk from the Town Hall will take you to the next sculpture found along High Street. This sculpture, named Nature Birds, features birds found around the Erie area including a great horned owl and pelican. The opposite side features colorful squiggles. At the base of the sculpture I found rocks painted with affirmations left by locals.
Mining & Railroads
Trail between Carr & High Streets
Continue 0.3 miles along the trail alongside High Street and you'll find the Mining & Railroads canary. This one features a historic mine shaft, mining equipment and even a caged canary. A canary on a canary! You'll also see a steam train. Trains had been an important part of Erie's economy during the mining boom, but nowadays the tracks are used by Colorado Railbike Adventures. You can see our ride along the rails here. Turn to face the now defunct railroad tracks and you'll see the colorfully patterned side.
Erie Balloons
Briggs Street
The trail leaves the streets and follows the railroad track from here. Alongside Briggs Street you'll find the canary that features the iconic hot air balloons that take flight from Erie. If you visit Erie early on Summer and Fall mornings you just might get to see the balloons lifting off. We often see them flying over our neighborhood in Louisville. Erie Balloons features a bright floral pattern on the opposite side.
Along Coal Creek Trail
Follow the trail and take a left after crossing over Coal Creek and you'll find the Native Mammals sculpture 0.4 miles away. This canary features local animals including a fox, ferret, squirrel and jackrabbit. The rear features a geometric tile pattern in blues, yellow and purple.
Music & Sports
Coal Creek Park, Kattell Street
The last of the six canary sculptures can be found 0.6 miles further along Coal Creek Trail at Coal Creek Park. This area is actually under construction at the moment, and the canary is located just behind the temporary fencing. The reverse side faces the park and features a pattern that resembles feathers. The main side of the canary is a little tricky to spot as it faces the construction, but I managed to capture a shot of it. As the name Music & Sports suggests, it features a combination of musical instruments and sports equipment.
From here it's a short 0.2 mile walk along Wells Street back to Erie Town Hall. You can find a link to the map below here.
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