Santa Fe River Greenway
Project Description
The Santa Fe River Greenway project is a joint effort between Santa Fe County and the City of Santa Fe to construct approximately 15 miles of continuous greenway of public parks and trails from downtown Santa Fe to the Wastewater Treatment Plant west of NM 599. When completed the County’s portion of the River Greenway will run from the current City limits at Frenchy’s Field to the Wastewater Treatment Plant west of NM 599, approximately eight miles.
The Greenway will revive the traditional use of the corridor as a transportation route and focus community members and visitors on the historical role of the Santa Fe River in connecting communities along the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. Santa Fe County plans to construct a multi-use trail along the River, which will provide both recreational opportunities and an alternative transportation route. As part of the Greenway project, Santa Fe County is also restoring the River using natural materials and native plants to stabilize the channel and enhance the riparian habitat.
Santa Fe County's Vision for the Santa Fe River
The Santa Fe River is once again a focal point of the community.
People of all ages come to the river to learn about the river and its history, to maintain the river and to celebrate a sense of place.
The Santa Fe River is rebuilt and restored.
The River meanders through its flood plain shaded by a Bosque of native trees and shrubs. It sustains and nourishes people and wildlife.
The Santa Fe River is a greenway of public parks and trails.
A continuous, well-connected, hard surface trail follows the course of the river reviving traditional use of the river corridor as a transportation route. The design and use of the trail respects the natural setting, historic character and multi-cultural heritage of the river, and contributes to the sense of place. Residents and visitors walk, run, and ride bicycles along the trail. The trails are easily accessible to all people.
The Santa Fe River contributes to a sense of place.
People feel a strong connection to the river and their place in history. They take pride in the river and the trails and are actively involved in taking care of them. The river is a gathering place for the community and a living classroom.
The Santa Fe River Greenway fosters economic revitalization.
Redevelopment of the River corridor enhances property values and general quality of life and promotes an economically viable business environment. Greenway development encourages the growth of small businesses to serve residents and visitors along the Greenway and enhances local employment and tax revenues
City – County Collaboration
In 1998, Public Lands Commissioner Ray Powell approached the City of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County about developing a collaborative relationship to restore the Santa Fe River and its watershed from the forested areas surrounding the City's reservoir, through the dewatered, degraded urban stretch to La Cienguilla where the river receives treated effluent from the Wastewater Treatment Plant and flows again. In August 1998, the City and County passed concurrent resolutions supporting collaborative efforts to work with the State Land Office to restore the Santa Fe River.
In 2004, Santa Fe County and the City of Santa Fe entered into a Memorandum of Agreement to develop the Santa Fe River Trail Project in coordination to ensure that a continuous facility is created with uniform design and funtionality that serves both County and City residents.
Funding
The majority of the funding for the County's portion of the Greenway will come from the County's General Obligation Bonds and Gross Receipts Tax revenues. The County will also seek state capital outlay appropriations and grant funding.
Phases and Timeline of Greenway Development
The County's portion of the Greenway runs from the west edge of Frenchy's Field at Camino Carlos Rael to the Wastewater Treatment Plant west of NM 599. The County has divided this eight mile stretch into six sections:
- Camino Carlos Rael to Siler Road - Under Design
- Siler Road to San Ysidro Crossing - Planned Completion 2017
- San Ysidro Crossing to Caja del Oro Grant Road - Construction Complete
- Caja del Oro Grant Road to Cottonwood Drive - Planned Completion 2015
- Cottonwood Drive to NM 599 - Under Construction; Scheduled Completion Summer 2012
- NM 599 to Wastewater Treatment Plant - Planned Completion 2019
Santa Fe River Greenway Trails
A 0.7 mile trail that runs from San Ysidro Crossing to Caja del Oro Grant Road and Romero Park
El Camino Real Park – Currently Under Construction; Scheduled Completion Summer 2012
A one-mile trail that runs from San Felipe Road to Constellation Drive on an easement through State Land Office property.
|
