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2006 LEGISLATURE: Network of Trails Still on City's Plate

Posted on: Saturday, 18 February 2006, 15:00 CST

By David Miles, The Santa Fe New Mexican

Feb. 18--Gov. Bill Richardson said Friday that Legislature-approved spending he plans to veto will not include $3.5 million to launch what he hopes will be the start of a 25-mile network of hiking, biking and horse-riding trails across Santa Fe.

The funding is part of a roughly $762 million capitaloutlay measure (committee substitute for HB622) that lawmakers approved before adjourning their 30-day session Thursday. While Richardson has said he plans to trim some spending from the measure, he said Friday that the trail initiative will escape his veto pen.

The governor said he envisions a $20 million network of four interconnecting trails throughout Santa Fe for commuting residents, children walking to and from school, tourists exploring Santa Fe and people just looking for exercise.

"What I wanted to do is build bike trails and horse trails throughout Santa Fe," Richardson told reporters.

He said he hopes to secure the remainder of the $20 million in state capital-outlay funding for the project over the next two or three years. The governor said the state Department of Transportation would oversee the project in coordination with city and county officials.

Officials said they were not sure when the 25-mile trail project would be started or completed. The project would expand roughly six miles of existing trails throughout the city and into parts of Santa Fe County. It would mirror a trail plan that local officials have been working on, but they have lacked the necessary funding.

"There's nothing here that's really brand new, but the idea of getting it all done is brand new," said Tim Rogers, the state Department of Transportation's bicycle, pedestrian and equestrian coordinator.

Paul Olafson, director of Santa Fe County's Open Space and Trails Division, said $2.8 million in state and local funds has been set aside to extend an existing multiuse trail along the Santa Fe River to N.M. 599. "This money is really important because it helps a lot of ongoing initiatives," Olafson said.

He said he has been working on the $20 million trail plan with nonprofit organizations and city and state officials since last year. He estimated the river trail could be completed within three years if the state funding continues.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Santa Fe New Mexican

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Source: The Santa Fe New Mexican

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