Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County has enlisted the assistance of Trail Solutions, a program of the International Mountain Bike Association, to assess the County Trail Network and develop a revision of the community trail network plan.
The plan will be the focus of a public meeting held from 5:30-7 p.m., May 8 at Fuller Lodge. The open house format will provide an opportunity to view and comment on specific projects called out by the plan, and to provide comments on the general concepts presented in the plan.
“We developed the first trail network plan back in 2005. The usage patterns, the maintenance issues, and the number of people using our trails have changed, so it’s time to take a fresh look,” County Open Space Specialist Craig Martin said.
The draft community plan evaluates the current conditions and layout of the network, and makes recommendations for specific projects to improve not only individual trails but also the organization of the entire network. It calls out more than 25 specific projects that would enhance the network. These range from network-wide improvements, like upgraded signage, to specific maintenance projects, such as consolidating the trails in Graduation Canyon.
Martin is looking for public input to the proposals, both in the broadest sense of the plan and on the specific projects discussed in the document.
“I’d like feedback on which projects should be implemented and which should not, and what projects should be started sooner rather than later,” Martin said.
Discussions on the County’s Open Forum page lean heavily toward improving trail marking on the network. Martin thinks the plan’s most challenging project will be developing a signage solution that helps wayfinding without being obtrusive.
The Community Trail Plan is available online by visiting the trail plan page on the County’s website at http://www.losalamosnm.us/parks/trails/Pages/LosAlamosCommunityTrailPlan.aspx.
In addition to the public meeting Wednesday, an opportunity for comment is also available at the County’s Open Forum site at http://www.losalamosnm.us/gov/Pages/PublicCommentForum.aspx.
Martin notes that although there is not specific funding in the FY 2014 budget for these proposed projects, some existing resources, such as local youth conservation crews and youth and adult volunteers, could begin work on some projects this summer. Requests for funding for other projects could be included in the next year’s budget cycle for FY 2015.
For additional information about the plan and public meeting, contact Martin at craig.martin@lacnm.us.
