News and Articles
05/09/2011
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for NEW section of Trail at the Arroyo Hondo Open Space
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for NEW section of Trail at the Arroyo Hondo Open Space
Santa Fe, NM – May 9, 2011 – The Santa Fe County Open Space and Trails Program would like to invite residents to the Ribbon Cutting for the new 1.5 mile section of trail at the County’s Arroyo Hondo Open Space on Saturday, May 14 at 10 a.m.
Come ready to hike, bike or ride any or all of the 3 miles of trail on the property. Public officials will be present to introduce the recently completed project and refreshments will be provided. The 86-acre property is located along the Arroyo Hondo just west of Interstate 25.
“The Arroyo Hondo Open Space is a real jewel. It is close to town, has inspirational views and now it has 3 miles of trails. Our County Open Space and Trails staff have done a magnificent job of making this a welcoming place. I love to go there just for a mini-vacation of being in the peace and solitude of nature,” said County Commissioner Kathy Holian.
Santa Fe County purchased the property in 2002 from the Reid Family with a great deal of community support and contributions. The Board of County Commissioners approved the Master Plan in 2008 after an extensive planning process. Since that time Santa Fe County Open Space and Trails has been working to implement the master plan. The Santa Fe County Fire department completed a forest restoration project on the property in 2008. The upper parking area off of Old Agua Fria Road East was completed in December 2009 and the property was officially opened in the Spring of 2010.
The master plan and trail design specifies low impact to the environment, protection of sensitive resources, erosion control, maximizing views and interpretation of historical points of interest. Santa Fe County is planning interpretive signage to ensure the trail experience is not only recreational, but educational.
Directions: From Old Pecos Trail and Saint Michaels Drive head South on OPT, cross over I-25 and drive until OPT dead ends at the Stop sign at Old Agua Fria Road East. Turn left onto Old Agua Fria Rd. E, drive over cattle-guard where dirt turns into pavement, property is down 200 yards on the right. PLEASE OBSERVE THE 25 MPH SPEED LIMIT ON OLD AGUA FRIA RD. E.
For more information or to RSVP for the event contact Scott Kaseman at (505) 660-6859 or skaseman@santafecounty.org.