By Mark DeVolder
Los Alamos

The latest Los Alamos “Trail” Project once again demonstrates the community’s lack of interest in preserving the environment.  

The project prompted me to consider the following:

1.  The project trades off grass/sod for concrete. There is less grass to absorb carbon dioxide and offset global warming. The concrete absorbs heat from the sun which adds to global warming versus grass which creates oxygen through photosynthesis. The area in front of Fuller Lodge has less grass which reduces the amount of open space for the pleasure of adults, children and pets. (Note: If you ever viewed the 1990 movie Pretty Woman, you might recall the actor Richard Gere walking around barefoot on the grass. Of course, Pretty Woman was pre-dated by the 1967 movie Barefoot in the Park.) The boundary between grass and concrete creates additional tripping hazards. (Note: If a child runs along the grass and trips on the concrete, they may end with broken teeth as a result. Of course, there are dentists in the downtown area who can provide dentures and dental implants.) It is unknown how the craft fairs held on the Fuller Lodge grassy area will be impacted by the installation of more concrete trails.
2. When I think of a trail, I generally envision a dirt path, a path covered with crushed rock or something rustic – not an asphalt or concrete “sidewalk.” Of course, plowing a rustic trail is not a very simple matter.
3. The concrete trail will require the attention of snow removal equipment during the winter. The use of snow removal equipment will create carbon dioxide which will contribute to global warming.
4. There appears to be an obsession with making the Los Alamos downtown area great again. (Note: Remember the fancy/degraded painted intersection at 15th Street and Central?) Before all the residential and commercial buildings were constructed in Los Alamos, there were more trees, more vegetation and more open space. I believe that was a great thing from an environmental perspective. Unfortunately, the County has more money than open space. Maybe someone should spend some time reading Sarah Susanka’s book, The Not So Big House.
5. The concrete sidewalk near the soccer field on North Mesa gets quite a bit of pedestrian and pet travel. The sidewalk has been broken up for years. One reason may be the desire of gophers to construct homes below the concrete sidewalk. The County has chosen to provide a bunch of white graffiti on the broken-up sidewalk, but the sidewalk remains in a deteriorated state because it is not located in downtown Los Alamos. If the County gets around to upgrading the sidewalk sometime before 2050, maybe it would help to provide thicker sections of concrete sidewalk to help address the world-class rodent problem in Los Alamos.
6. There is a curbing section on Spruce Street which has been deteriorating for decades. The curbing section appears to be at the lowest elevation on the street. Consequently, it receives considerable run-off from melting snow and ice during the winter. This contributes to freeze-thaw deterioration of the curbing during the winter. It would appear that a storm drain feature is needed in this area. This safety hazard is a location where concrete would do some good. However, the deteriorated section of curbing is not in the “picturesque” downtown area.
7. The County went to a lot of trouble to install crushed rock and playground equipment south of the Mesa Public Library. Adjacent to the playground is an old-growth pine tree. The tree is dying.
8. Was Environmental Impact Statement prepared for the trail project?
9. I seem to recall that the previous team working on the Nuisance Code was given their walking papers not so long ago. That team was in the process of trying to figure out what to do about the horse stables. (Note: I am unsure if there were issues related to the rustic nature of the horse stables or occasional odor issues depending on wind direction.) However, Robert J. Oppenheimer spent a considerable amount of time exploring New Mexico on horseback as well as engaging in intellectual pursuits. With the making of the film Oppenheimer and the impact on tourism on Los Alamos, perhaps rustic horse stables and occasional odor issues are a good thing. What is in the future for horse stables and horse trails in Los Alamos County – High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter/activated carbon filter-fitted concrete/steel stables which are fire resistant and code compliant, concrete and asphalt horse trails, etc.?  Having spent some time living in farming and ranching country, I am used to rustic environments and the odor of farm/ranch animals. Perhaps a little history about former governor Bruce King and the Bruce King Ranch are in order – Wikipedia: “Bruce King (April 6, 1924 – November 13, 2009) was an American businessman and politician who for three non-consecutive four-year terms was the governor of New Mexico.  A member of the Democratic Party, he was the longest-serving governor in New Mexico history, with 12 years of service…”
10. One thing that I have often enjoyed about New Mexico is that every road, highway, and freeway does not have a curb/sidewalk next to it.
11. Installing crushed asphalt on parking lots helps to prevent problems with automobiles parking in the mud. On the other hand, the black asphalt helps to store energy from the sun and also contributes to global warming.

Perhaps I am just too old. I don’t need an asphalt or concrete sidewalk (that is, a trail) so that I commune with nature and look at/talk on an iPhone at the same time while I am walking.