Doña Ana County was awarded $85,366 from the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Trails and Grant Program, to design and develop and new park and trail on twenty acres near the Rio Grande River at the Shalem Colony Bridge, on the outskirts of the city of Las Cruces.
The site for the park and trail is aimed to transform an area that previously served as a spot for parties, fires, and illegal dumping into thriving community space. The new park will bring recreational opportunities and amenities for current residents and guests seeking access to a great park. This transformation will create a healthier, more enjoyable environment for everyone to appreciate.
The International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) is the underlying landowner for the river corridor in this area. Their agency is actively engaged in discussions about how to limit uncontrolled vehicular access in order to protect and restore the floodplain vegetation between the levees, reducing erosion and sedimentation in the river.
Engineering firm, Wilson & Company, Inc., is working on the next phase of the design and refinement of the master plan. Additional public meetings will be held as the project design continues.
For questions or more information about the Shalem Colony Park and Trail project, please call 575-525-6105.