Santa Fe Standard

Santa Fe County has recently expanded its open spaces with the acquisition of new lands, enhancing trail access for outdoor enthusiasts. The acquisitions, approved by the Board of County Commissioners, have garnered excitement and gratitude from various stakeholders.

Karen Yank, President of the Turquoise Trail Regional Alliance, and Mike Madden, Co-founder of the East Mountain Regional Trails Council, expressed their enthusiasm for the newly acquired 160 acres of piñon-juniper forest near Golden, NM. Yank and Madden highlighted the significance of this addition, stating, "Thanks to the support of neighboring communities and the willingness of Campbell Farming Corporation to sell the land for preservation, we now have 320-acres of contiguous county open space, which will create access through a series of trails to 2,000 acres of BLM land." They emphasized the County's vision for the area as a regional trails hub, offering recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

In a separate acquisition, Santa Fe County obtained 2 acres of land known as 10 Little Hills near Cerrillos Hills State Park. Ross Lockridge, President of the Cerrillos Hills Park Coalition, expressed gratitude for this addition, stating, "We would like to thank Santa Fe County Open Space and Trails, as well as the generous landowner, for working together to acquire this important piece of the Cerrillos Hills State Park trails system."

The acquisitions aim to enhance outdoor recreational opportunities in the region and promote the development of passive recreation trails. The properties will undergo further planning to facilitate access and enjoyment for hikers, nature enthusiasts, and tourists.

Cerrillos Hills State Park, owned by Santa Fe County and managed by the State Parks Division, continues to be a focal point for outdoor activities in the area. The newly acquired 10 Little Hills property, located north of Yerba Buena Road, offers a trail easement to the State Park and can be accessed via the Elkins Canyon Trail.

For those interested in exploring the trails and open spaces in Santa Fe County, detailed information and maps can be found in the Cerrillos Hills State Park brochure available online. For further inquiries, Adeline Murthy, Open Space & Trails Planning Team Leader, can be contacted at 505-995-2774 or amurthy@santafecountynm.gov.