State grants $2.3 million for New Mexico recreation, conservation projects

Yahoo

08-05-2025

A member of Backcountry Horsemen Gila Chapter volunteer works to restore a fire damaged trail in an undated photo. The New Mexico Economic Development Department issued $2.3 million in additional grants for recreation and conservation projects around the state. (Courtesy of New Mexico Economic Development Department.)
On Thursday, the New Mexico Economic Development Department awarded more than $2.3 million to 15 outdoors projects, including a mountain bike jump park in Santa Rosa, restoration of Gila trails burned by wildfire and a children's garden in Santa Fe.
The projects span 14 counties and promote outdoor access and conservation stewardship, Outdoor Recreation Division Director Karina Armijo said in a statement to Source NM.
'The Trails+ Grant program is increasing safe and inclusive outdoor access, especially in rural and historically underserved communities,' Armijo said. 'It's boosting local economies and is a long-term investment in quality of life for all New Mexicans.'
In total, the Outdoor Recreation Division has spent more than $28.7 million from the Trails Grant+ fund on 221 projects since the program started in 2020.
Elias Quinn, a mountain biker and member of Los Senderos de Guadalupe, told Source NM the nearly $100,000 grant will be used to plan and design a mountain bike park and trail system in an underserved part of the state.
'I just felt like there was a missed opportunity for Santa Rosa, just off Interstate 40, lots of people are stopping at the lakes,' he told Source NM. 'I felt like a bike park could help attract more tourists.'
Àngel Peña, executive director for Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project in Las Cruces, told Source NM his group will use the $75,000 state grant to restore trails and start a community education program in the La Mancha Wetlands. The nonprofit has owned the four-acre area, which has water in pools year-round, for several years.
'We've been doing what we can on a shoestring budget, and this is really the first real investment we've been able to secure for the specific project,' Peña said. 'The state is truly investing in its local community down here.'
The grant will also help develop a resource management plan, Peña said, and then aid trail crews to start building new paths for youth hiking programs.
A new round of Trails+ Grant funding will open later this year on July 1, for $11.6 million in funding available. The state agency has more information about applications on its webpage at www.NMOutside.com.
Here's the full list of grants released by the Economic Development Department Thursday:
Arroyo Seco Community Center in Taos County received $88,515 to build an ADA-accessible fitness and nature trail with native plants and exercise stations around the community center, as well as educational signage to highlight local botany and pollinators.
Boy Scouts of America (dba Scouting America), Philmont Scout Ranch in Colfax County received $99,999 to restore and enhance the footpath built for the 200th anniversary of the Santa Fe Trail, connecting the Philmont Scout Ranch and Museum to Old Town Cimarron.
Cavern City Trail Keepers in Eddy County received $36,924 and will add two new trailheads, upgrade two existing trailheads and provide trail signage along nearby highways on the La Cueva Ridge Trail.
City of Albuquerque, Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency in Bernalillo County received $500,000 for the Central Crossing project, which will replace unsafe tunnels with a wide, at-grade crossing for pedestrians and cyclists, and connect the planned seven-mile rail trail to nearby recreation amenities.
City of Clovis in Curry County received $500,000 to construct a 140-space parking area at Ned Houk Park, add drainage infrastructure and improve signage and access near the trailhead.
Global Opportunities Unlimited in Colfax and Taos Counties received $97,000 to design a multi-use trail and develop infrastructure to support trail connectivity across Questa, Red River, Eagle Nest and Angel Fire, especially at Eagle Nest Lake State Park.
Jemez Enterprises in Rio Arriba County received $238,394 to develop the Jemez Adventure Park with a mountain bike and hiking trail, disc golf course and a family pavilion to boost access to outdoor recreation opportunities.
Las Placitas Presbyterian Church in Sandoval County received $99,999, and will collaborate with the community and the County Sheriff's Office to design and build a rerouted segment of the Hike and Bike Trail on NM165 to improve user safety.
Los Senderos de Guadalupe in Guadalupe County received $99,999 to plan, design and begin construction on a mountain bike jump/skills park as part of the Santa Rosa trail system, positioning the town as a biking destination.
Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project in Doña Ana County received $75,000 for a project to protect La Mancha Wetlands ecosystem, restore trails, enhance public access to the wetlands and provide community programs focused on conservation education.
Sidney Paul Gordon Shooting Range in Otero County received $99,999 for upgrades to the shooting range, including ADA firing lines, ADA facility improvements and shaded outdoor classrooms.
San Isidro Farm, Southwest Indian Foundation in McKinley County received $45,667 to create a master plan for future outdoor recreation at the farm, including publicly accessible trails, a campground and a mountain bike park.
Santa Fe Botanical Garden in Santa Fe County received $99,999 to support the creation of a children's discovery garden and outdoor learning pod to provide immersive nature experiences and programs for youth.
Taos Mountain Bike Association in Taos County received $94,800 and, in partnership with the BLM Taos Field Office and the Carson National Forest, will improve access to the Horsethief Mesa Trailhead by stabilizing existing roads, addressing drainage and grade issues and providing access to develop a full-service trailhead.
Wild Arizona in Catron and Grant Counties received $99,892 for a project to restore key sections of the Gila National Forest Trail System affected by flood and fire damage and improve connectivity and access to over 100 miles of the Gila Centennial Trail and over 50 miles of connector trails.
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