Open Space, Trails and Parks Program

Santa Fe County Announces New Benches and Exhibits Added to Arroyo Hondo Open Space in 2025

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 10, 2025

SANTA FE, NM – Hikers, cyclists, and equestrians enjoying the trails at Arroyo Hondo Open Space, six miles south of the Santa Fe Plaza, may have noticed some new amenities added in 2025.

In the spring, Eagle Scout Eddie Blick, who grew up hiking the trails, raised money to purchase four new benches for the open space and gathered his fellow scouts from Santa Fe’s Scout Troop 57 to help the County trail maintenance crew install them. The Arroyo Hondo Land Trust matched Eddie’s fundraising efforts to secure the purchase. "I have loved hiking the Arroyo Hondo Open Space trails since before I can remember,” says Eddie, “and was excited for the chance to give back to the community. Installing benches along the trail was a great chance to do so. I'm glad I could make such a noticeable impact on the local community with my Eagle Project." One bench overlooks the Arroyo Hondo, another is perched at a highpoint looking out across the Galisteo Basin and beyond, while the other two provide seating at the trailheads.

In addition to the benches, four new interpretive exhibits have been installed at the open space: a welcome kiosk for the trailhead off Arroyo Hondo Road and three smaller exhibits for trailside interpretation. Woodworker Jeff Smith of Arroyo Hondo designed and built a frame for the new welcome kiosk to match the native plants exhibit the Arroyo Hondo Land Trust installed there in 2023. The new kiosk features an updated map of the open space, property highlights, and rules and regulations. One trailside exhibit identifies the landscape features visible from a hilltop at the open space and highlights some of New Mexico’s unique geologic history that shaped this landscape. Another, which overlooks the ruins of a historic dam, tells the story of the ill-fated Arroyo Hondo Irrigation Project, while another identifies many of the cactus species which thrive in the rocky hills of this protected property. Volunteers and County staff collaborated on installation of the new exhibits.

Following a recent community meeting, Robinson Kurth of Arroyo Hondo summarized local sentiment regarding the recent Arroyo Hondo Open Space improvements: “Hooray for all the useful benches and great signs along the Arroyo Hondo Open Space ! It is so nice to now learn about the history and ecology of this special area."

Santa Fe County’s Open Space, Trails & Parks program sustainably manages and conserves a vibrant network of cultural, historical, recreational and natural community resources that inspire a deep sense of regional identity and stewardship among current and future generations.  

For more information regarding the new benches and interpretive signage, contact Rose Masters, Open Space Interpretive Ranger, at rmasters@santafecountynm.gov.

Eddie Blick, third from left, and scouts of Troop 57 at one of the four new benches installed at Arroyo Hondo Open Space through Eddie’s efforts.

One of four new trail-side exhibits at Arroyo Hondo Open Space.

Santa Fe County Acquires New Open Space: "Bobcat Crossing Ranch" 

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 14, 2025

SANTA FE, NM – On October 9, 2025, Santa Fe County acquired 2,650 acres of piñon-juniper woodland, rolling hills and grasslands, south of Santa Fe, NM. The new open space is called “Bobcat Crossing Ranch.” It is bordered to the east by I-25, and to the west by 2 miles of the Southern Santa Fe Railway and multi-use Santa Fe Rail Trail. The acquisition was recommended by the County Open Lands, Trails and Parks Advisory Committee (COLTPAC), and approved by the Board of County Commissioners on April 29, 2025. The property, purchased for $3,700,000, is intended for use as a preserve and public recreational space.

Chris Mann, COLTPAC Chair, expressed enthusiasm about this addition, “This acquisition—one of the largest tracts of undeveloped land between Eldorado and Santa Fe—will protect important cultural and natural resources while providing ample public recreation opportunities. This is a big win for wildlife, water resources, and the people of Santa Fe County.  My thanks to the members of COLTPAC, the Board of County Commissioners, and the staff of the county's Open Space, Trails and Parks program for making this happen." 

This acquisition also garnered broad community support. Dan Potter, COLTPAC member and applicant for the acquisition, expressed his gratitude to community members who supported this acquisition, “Let me thank you all again for speaking out at public meetings, writing support letters, talking to neighbors and friends, and pushing this across the finish line. You should all be proud of your participation in the process."

Potter added, "Bobcat Crossing Ranch shows great potential for historic preservation, recreation, habitat preservation, and as an important piece of a larger wildlife movement corridor between the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Galisteo Basin, and beyond. This completes the first step in developing the ranch in a new direction, focused on these values.”

The County will now develop a property management plan and master plan for the development of passive recreation trails.

For media inquiries, please contact Stephanie Stancil, Director of Innovation, Strategic Planning, and Communications,  at sstancil@santafecountynm.gov or 505-995-2710.

One of the views looking southwest from the new Bobcat Crossing Ranch Open Space, with Cerrillos Hills centered in the distance.

Ongoing

Northern New Mexico Master Naturalist Program

Have you ever wanted to become a Master Naturalist? This in-depth course combines classroom and field experiences to give you the knowledge and skills to better understand and care for the natural world. Each week we explore an environmental topic related to our region through guest lectures, group discussion, and hands-on activities.  

Please visit the website and send an email through the contact page. 

Course Dates: August 2025 -  November 2025
Location: Various sites in the Santa Fe area 
Tuition Cost: $210, scholarships available 
For more info and online application, visit nnmmnp.wordpress.com.