ORD Announces 12 New Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grants

State funded 134 projects in New Mexico through Trails+ grants

Media Contact: Donna Stumpf

Donna.Stumpf@edd.nm.gov

505-819-1495

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 28, 2024

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham

Acting Cabinet Secretary Mark Roper

Director Karina Armijo

ORD Announces 12 New Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grants

134 projects in New Mexico funded since the program's inception

SANTA FE, N.M. – The Outdoor Recreation Division (ORD) of the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) announces the round 3 Trails+ Grant recipients. Projects awarded will expand equitable access to the outdoors and grow New Mexico’s outdoor recreation economy.

Round 3 awards total $1,611,743 for 12 projects, bringing in an additional $1,567,237 in matching funding. Of the awarded projects, 75% are supporting rural and Tribal communities with grants ranging from $38,700 to the Southern New Mexico Trail Alliance to $500,000 to the City of Las Cruces.

The Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant program was created in 2019 by Gov. Lujan Grisham and lawmakers to support projects that enhance outdoor recreation opportunities for communities, including trail systems, signage, outdoor classrooms, wildlife viewing areas, and more.

This vibrant sector continues to diversify the state’s economy as New Mexico’s outdoor industry employs over 28,000 people and contributes $2.4 billion annually to the state GDP, according to 2022 data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

“Since the establishment of Trails+, a total of $13,243,478 has been awarded to 134 projects in 26 counties across the state,” Acting EDD Cabinet Secretary Mark Roper said. “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.”

Fiscal year 2024 funding remains available for Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant projects and ORD encourages organizations and communities to apply for round 4 by March 31, 2024. Round 5 applications must be submitted by May 31, 2024.

During this year’s legislative session, an additional $10 million was designated for FY25 Trails+ Grants and ORD wants to see this impressive level of funding reach every community in New Mexico.

“We are thrilled to support these 12 new projects that foster connections between residents and visitors in the great outdoors,” ORD Director Karina Armijo said. “ORD remains steadfast in elevating awareness of the Trails+ Grant program, ensuring its significant funding bolsters outdoor recreation accessibility and fuels economic growth across all corners of New Mexico.”

Funded Trails+ infrastructure projects reflect the variety of ways New Mexicans connect with the outdoors in each unique county. Trails+ awardees are not only building recreation paths and trail networks but also connections within communities that sustain access to the state’s diverse landscapes.

“Our Trails+ Grant provides support for a connector trail between Tortugas Mountain and Soledad Canyon Road multi-use path. This connector was identified in the Doña Ana County Trail Summit as the number one trail priority,” Southern New Mexico Trail Alliance (SNMTA) President Dan Carter said. “It will provide trail connectivity between Las Cruces, New Mexico State University, Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument, and the neighborhoods and public lands in between. SNMTA is very excited to realize the community's vision for a better-connected trail system in Doña Ana County.”

“Receiving the Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant will enable New Mexico Wildlife Center (NMWC) to extend its paved DePonte Family Wildlife Walk pathway and add trailside seating for visitors,” New Mexico Wildlife Center Executive Director Matthew Miller said. “We're extremely excited about this trail addition increasing accessibility to our wildlife education areas and Ambassador Animals to the over 7,000 general public visitors and K-12 students that visit NMWC annually.”

“Keshet Dance Company is thrilled to be a recipient of the Trails+ Grant to support the creation of an outdoor classroom and performance space at the Keshet Center for the Arts in the heart of the Midtown Arts and Entertainment District, located at a main artery access point for the Embudo Channel Trail,” Founder & Artistic Director Shira Greenberg said. “Keshet’s work over the past three decades using dance as a catalyst for community connectivity will be truly enhanced by this project, bringing the arts, artists, and audiences into accessible outdoor spaces for learning and engagement within an urban setting.”

Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grants are awarded in two tiers: Tier one for local projects up to $99,999 and tier two for regional projects up to $500,000.

FY24 Round 3 Trails+ Grant applications were reviewed and scored by the following individuals. ORD is grateful for the incredible investment of their time and the passion they brought to the process.

Carl Colonius, ORD Outdoor Recreation Planner

Jim Glover, endeavOR Director

Holly Kelley, New Mexico Tourism Department Development Director

Jen Merino, BLM Recreation, Travel Management, and National Scenic and Historic Trails Lead

Maria Trevino, National Park Service, Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance, Outdoor Rec Planner

Glenn Simpson, Bureau of Land Management Branch Chief for Planning, Recreation, and Cultural Resources

Donna M. Stumpf, ORD Marketing & Business Outreach Coordinator

FY24 Round 3 Trails+ Grant Awardees 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…