Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Socorro getting recreation upgrades

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – New Mexico is expanding recreation option around the state with an investment of over $1.6 million. The idea is to expand equitable access to the outdoors through the state’s “Trails+” program.

“Since the establishment of Trails+, a total of $13,243,478 has been awarded to 134 projects in 26 counties across the state,” Acting Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) Cabinet Secretary Mark Roper said in a press release. “Trails+ exemplifies what can be achieved with our state’s visionary investment in the outdoor recreation economy and the power behind collaborative partnerships tied to each funded project. Together, we are strengthening our state and enhancing access to New Mexico’s exquisite outdoors.”

The latest round of funding is going to 12 projects around the state. As described by EDD, they include:

City of Albuquerque, Parks and Recreation Department ($130,000, Bernalillo County): City of Albuquerque proposes to expand and improve disc golf facilities by installing a new 20-hole championship disc golf course at the Puerto del Sol Golf Course, rehabilitating and improving Brent Baca Memorial Disc Golf Course, and installing a new 12-hole disc golf course at Westgate Park in an underserved area of the city.

City of Las Cruces ($500,000, Doña Ana County): The City of Las Cruces’ project includes the design and construction of a recreational trail that will connect the community of Tortugas and Doña Ana County with the university campus, Las Cruces High School, and other destinations within the metropolitan area.

City of Socorro ($370,020, Socorro County): This project includes constructing the Box-Enterprise trail network, climbing areas, and adjacent camping to benefit local and regional users as well as planning activities related to the revitalization of the USFS Cibola National Forest Magdalena Ranger District trail network and the flagship 27-mile Baldy-to-Bosque trail, traversing the Magdalenas to Box Canyon and the Socorro Valley.

Keshet Dance Company ($99,000, Bernalillo County): Keshet will create an outdoor classroom and performance space in Midtown Albuquerque within the existing footprint of the Keshet Center for the Arts property, bringing the arts, artists, and audiences into outdoor spaces for learning and engagement.

Mt. Taylor Winter Quadrathlon ($90,000, Cibola County): The Mt. Taylor Quadrathlon will acquire a new snowcat that will groom snow routes to Mt. Taylor. This enhanced grooming capacity will create extended access to the greater Mt. Taylor winter recreation area, allowing the race to continue for many years.

Nambe Pueblo ($99,999, Santa Fe County): Grant funds will focus on improvements to the trail to Nambe Falls to increase safety and ease of use.

New Mexico Wildlife Center, Inc. (NMWC) ($60,000, Santa Fe County): NMWC will build an enhanced ADA pathway to provide outdoor access to a live animal education presentation area, Ambassador Animal enclosures, and a picnic area. Added pathway amenities include picnic tables, seating, and waste receptacles.

Sandia Nordic Ski Club, Inc. (SNSC) ($38,677, Bernalillo County): SNSC designs, constructs, and maintains groomed cross-country ski trails at the top of the Sandia Mountains and provides cross-country ski instruction to the public free of charge. SNSC will improve and expand the network of groomed trails that the club maintains.

Southern New Mexico Trail Alliance ($38,700, Doña Ana County): The project focuses on creating non-motorized trail connectivity between the existing Tortugas Mountain trail network and Soledad Canyon Road multi-use path, and greater connectivity between the City of Las Cruces and the Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument.

Town of Silver City ($85,347, Grant County): The Town of Silver City will design an ADA accessibility ramp within the San Vicente Creek Big Ditch Park, in historic downtown Silver City. The project includes planning and designing small-scale drainage, retaining walls, erosion control, engineering an ADA-compliant ramp to the Big Ditch Trail and Park to improve accessibility from the Main Street Plaza, installing wayfinding signage with historical and environmental information pertinent to San Vicente Creek, and removing invasive species.

Village of Logan ($50,000, Quay County): The Town of Logan will build a walking/jogging path to serve as a connecting point between the lake and the town area, benefiting both residents and the visiting population and offering an additional community-accessible option.

Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary ($50,000, McKinley County): Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary’s project focuses on campground improvements including the construction of RV Hookups, yurts, and other basic amenities that expand camping access to those with RVs and without tents.

Recently New Mexico’s lawmakers have put more funding toward the pool offering outdoor recreation grants. So, organizations and communities can still apply for funding for the coming rounds of grants.

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