Santa Fe Standard

SANTA FE, NM - Commissioner Anna Hansen (D-2) and the Santa Fe County Public Works Department invite the community to a groundbreaking ceremony for the Santa Fe River Greenway Project, Section B, on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at San Ysidro Crossing.

The event will feature remarks by Santa Fe County Commissioner Anna Hansen (D-2) and County Manager Greg Shaffer.

The Santa Fe River Greenway is a collaboration between Santa Fe County and the City of Santa Fe that began in the early 2000s. The project aims to create a 15-mile continuous greenway of parks and trails from downtown Santa Fe to the Wastewater Treatment Plant west of NM 599. Once complete, the County’s portion will cover approximately eight miles from Frenchy’s Field to the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Project highlights for Section B (Siler Road to San Ysidro Crossing, approximately one mile) include:

- A new trailhead with paved parking for 14 vehicles at Siler Road

- An access road from San Ysidro crossing serving residences north of the river

- One mile of concrete multi-use trail

- A pedestrian bridge connecting the trail to Agua Fria at Henry Lynch Road

County Commissioner Anna Hansen (D-2) emphasized her long-term involvement in the project: “Since 2007, I have been involved with the River Trail. First as a City of Santa Fe Park & Open Space Commissioner and now as a Santa Fe County Commissioner. This is a project that is important to the community. Having parks and trails along the river increases our quality of life, our well-being, and provides safe movement along the trail. This is an important section on the trail that once completed will connect the trail system to Romero Park. I am happy to see this part of the trail materialize.”

This $15 million project is primarily funded through voter-approved bonds and will begin this fall with expected completion by fall 2025.

The Greenway project aims to revive traditional use of the corridor as a transportation route while recalling its historical role in connecting communities along El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. Besides providing recreational and alternative transportation opportunities, it includes river restoration efforts using natural materials and native plants.

For more information about the project, contact Commissioner Anna Hansen at ahansen@santafecountynm.gov or Mike Hart, Project Manager III at mhart@santafecountynm.gov.

To RSVP for the groundbreaking event, contact Kim Vigil, Constituent Services Liaison for D-2 at kvigil@santafecountynm.gov.

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