Alex Morgan, center, snips the ribbon on the newly re-done Kinnikinnik Park ADA Trail Tuesday afternoon along with Community Services Department Director Cory Styron, far left, Los Alamos Council Councilor Ryn Herrmann, third from left, Parks Superintendent Wendy Parker, third from right, Council Chair Theresa Cull, second from right, and New Mexico Recreation Division Program Manager Carl Colonius, far right. This modified trail loop, located beside the Aquatic Center, is a .25-mile section of an existing trail that is now an ADA certified crusher fine trail that utilizes the U.S. Forest Service standards. According to a Los Alamos County press release, ‘the main goal was to reduce any barriers that individuals with disabilities may encounter when enjoying the trail.’ Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos County Council Chair Theresa Cull makes a few opening remarks during the ribbon cutting ceremony held Tuesday afternoon for the Kinnikinnik Park ADA Trail. ‘(This) is a trail that is welcoming to individuals of all abilities and who can experience the beauty of Kinnikinnik Park without unnecessary barriers,’ she said. ‘Projects like this one support the Los Alamos County Council’s strategic goals, particularly our commitment to enhancing quality of life for all residents and visitors. It demonstrates how we can thoughtfully improve our open spaces, our parks and trails while ensuring everyone has equal access to enjoy them.’ Cull also recognized her fellow councilors, as well as the Parks and Recreation Board, the Inclusivity Task Force, CM ArborCare and the Parks and Open Space Division team, which includes Superintendent Wendy Parker, Assistant Superintendent Emmanuel Abeyta and Open Space Specialist Eric Peterson. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos County Community Services Department Director Cory Styron congratulates everyone on successfully completing the Kinnikinnik Park ADA Trail during a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday afternoon. This includes individuals from the County’s procurement and finance offices as well as the County Manager’s staff. He explained the County contributed $65,000, which was matched by the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Grant Division. Styron added that the project was four years in the making. There were several stops and starts due to the construction of the Leisure Lagoon and a couple of re-routes to make sure the trail was accessible. He added to make the crusher fine trail, the equivalent of two 737s worth of weight was brought in, and 56 dump truck loads of soil was delivered to build the trail’s base. ‘This is the second project that we have completed with the Outdoor Recreation Grant,’ Styron said. ‘There’s a smaller trail over behind the stables going into Bayo Canyon where we made the trail wider and more equestrian friendly so we can have more people access what Mother Nature has given us here.’ Accessibility is key, he explained, because ‘…the body of research is just getting so massive on how outdoor recreation and outdoor experiences improve our mental, spiritual and physical health and this is just another testament to doing that for our community and truly where more people can enjoy it …’ Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
A crowd of people attend the ribbon cutting of the Kinnikinnik Park ADA Trail Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Pajarito Environmental Education Center Executive Director Jillian Rubio, left, and Janet Montoya and her dog, Raleigh, try out the new Kinnikinnik Park ADA Trail Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Scene from the ribbon cutting for Kinnikinnik Park ADA Trail. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com