State announces new Trails+ Awardees
Trails+ Grant awarded to additional 17 projects statewide
Contact: Michelle Simon
Michelle.Simon@edd.nm.gov
(505) 439-2320
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 12, 2024
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
Acting Cabinet Secretary Mark Roper
ORD Director Karina Armijo
Outdoor Recreation Division Announces $3.2M Awarded to 17 Projects
Trails+ Grant supports much-needed infrastructure improvements to New Mexico’s booming outdoor recreation sector
SANTA FE, N.M. – The Outdoor Recreation Division (ORD) of the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) announces the fifth and final round of FY24 Trails+ Grant recipients to support the growth of New Mexico’s outdoor recreation (OR) workforce and expand equitable access to the outdoors.
Awards total $3,203,489 to 17 recipients ranging from $25,000 for Curry County to $500,000 for the Pueblo of Picuris. Matching funds from the grantees will contribute an additional $2,641,302 to the Trails+ Grant projects.
“The Trails+ Grant is giving a significant boost to the state’s economy and supporting the growth of local communities by creating jobs for New Mexicans, many living in Tribal and rural areas,” EDD Acting Cabinet Secretary Mark Roper said. “We’re thrilled for the opportunities that this grant program provides our state.”
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, ADA-accessible outdoor recreation spaces, signage, wildlife viewing areas, and more.
ORD Outdoor Recreation Planner Carl Colonius explains, “Strategic investments improve the quality of life for residents across New Mexico by stimulating regional economic development and increasing access to beautiful places like Las Maravillas Park in Valencia County, and the cross-country ski trails outside of Los Alamos.”
Doña Ana Village Association (DAVA) was awarded $99,999 for their ambitious “El Parque Alegre de Doña Ana” multi-objective open space project. "DAVA is a small but mighty organization, and we are honored to be selected for this grant opportunity. We hope DAVA can be a model for how small colonia communities can bring vision and success to projects in their communities. We have a lot of work ahead but it's nothing compared to our spirit and energy," Israel Chávez of Doña Ana Village Association said.
“We are incredibly honored and excited to receive the Trails+ Grant for the final phase of the All-Wheel Park, a bike park,” Governor Quanchello of the Picuris Pueblo says. "This project is a testament to Picuris Pueblo’s unwavering commitment to creating positive and healthy alternatives for our community, especially our youth.”
Over $11 million in funding is available for the Trails+ Grant in FY25 and ORD will be accepting applications in rounds until funds are expended. Round 1 applications close on September 30, 2024. Interested applicants can visit NMOutside.com for applications and complete grant program guides in English and Spanish . Questions can be directed to Outdoor Recreation Planner Carl Colonius, carl.colonius@edd.nm.gov , 505-570-7846.
FY24 round 5 Trails+ Grant awardees include:
Cancer Awareness, Prevalence, Prevention and Early Detection (CAPPED, Inc.) ($99,999, Otero County): CAPPED will complete the Trinity Turtle Healing Labyrinth Phase III to create the largest permanent labyrinth in the United States. The path of the 40,0000-squarefoot labyrinth is ADA accessible and doubles as an open-air amphitheater/learning center.
Catron County ($258,644, Catron County): Catron County and The Pie Town Community Foundation will improve the outdoor space just off highway 60 along the Continental Divide, including Jackson Park Campgrounds and Equestrian Arena. Improvements will provide safe pedestrian, equestrian, and bicycle trails, camping and recreation for the community and its visitors, and a convenient way station on the Continental Divide Trail.
City of Bloomfield ($99,999, San Juan County): The City of Bloomfield will expand trails, bicycle paths, and pedestrian walkways at their Riverwalk trail system, including educational and informational kiosks.
Curry County ($25,000, Curry County): Curry County will purchase and install picnic tables and benches created from recycled windmill turbine blades at the Honorable Judge Ruben E. Nieves Courtyard located on the City of Clovis' Main Street.
Dar al Islam ($99,999, Rio Arriba County): Plaza Blanca is a 200-acre site within the properties of Dar al Islam in Abiquiu. This project will map out and build sustainable trails and viewing areas, so that visitors have access to beautiful white rock formations with narrow canyons, dry riverbeds, a vibrant flora and fauna landscape, and a lively animal and insect environment.
Doña Ana Village Association (DAVA) ($99,999 Doña Ana County): El Parque Alegre de Doña Ana, an open space in Doña Ana Village (designated colonia in New Mexico) will provide solutions to flood management through a retention pond, increase outdoor recreation for residents and visitors through trails and trail access, and promote meaningful nature-connection interactions to increase public health and conservation.
Explora Science Center & Children's Museum ($497,704, Bernalillo County): Outdoor Experiences at Explora will use funding to create a set of public outdoor exhibits that will appeal both to tourists and residents, landscaping of outdoor learning spaces to make them more inviting and extend visitors’ stay, and improvements to associated signage and wayfinding to better facilitate the visitors’ recreational activities and align with branding.
Las Huertas Plaza, LLC (a plaza project in the unincorporated Placitas area) ($59,000, Sandoval County): Las Huertas Plaza on Highway 165 is on a very popular cyclist route. This project establishes a safe pull-out…