Los Alamos resident Brenda Fleming, center, snips the red ribbon to ceremoniously open the Urban Trail for business Wednesday afternoon. Front row, from left, Public Works Director Eric Martinez, Los Alamos County Council Chair Theresa Cull, County Deputy Manager Juan Rael and County Councilor Ryn Herrmann, far right, also take part in the ceremony. The celebration was held on the boardwalk, the signature feature of the Urban Trail project near the Canyon Road tennis courts. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
A large crowd gathers Wednesday afternoon just outside the Canyon Road tennis courts to celebrate the completion of the Urban Trail. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos County Council Chair Theresa Cull speaks at Wednesday’s ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Urban Trail. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos County Deputy Manager Juan Rael speaks at Wednesday’s ribbon cutting ceremony for the Urban Trail. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos County Public Works Director Eric Martinez speaks at Wednesday’s ribbon cutting ceremony for the Urban Trail. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Trail Project Manager Keith Wilson speaks at Wednesday’s ribbon cutting ceremony for the Urban Trail. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Los Alamos resident Brenda Fleming planted an idea nine years ago for an urban bike path; her suggestion took root, grew and produced the Urban Trail.
After nine years of planning and construction, the community gathered Wednesday afternoon on the Urban Trail boardwalk, the signature feature of the project near the Canyon Road tennis courts, to celebrate the completion of the Urban Trail.
According to the Los Alamos County website, the trail is just shy of a mile long; it runs along 20th Street beginning at the intersection of Trinity Drive, continues through Fuller Lodge’s lawn to the intersection of Ponderosa Street and Spruce Street and through a wooded area near the tennis courts and along Canyon Road to the Aquatic Center. At 10 feet wide, the paved trail is ADA compliant and accommodates all users.
The budget for the project was approximately $6.8 million but was completed under budget near $6.1 million. It was reported during Wednesday’s celebration that most of the funding came from state grants through the New Mexico Department of Transportation.
Los Alamos County Council Chair Theresa Cull said she was pleased with the results.
“This project represents an important step forward in enhancing connectivity, accessibility and mobility in our community,” Cull said. “With the completion of this multi-use trail, we’re not only expanding our already impressive trail network but also ensuring residents and visitors alike (have) … accessible and scenic routes for walking, biking and other alternative modes of travel. The Urban Trail is ADA compliant and aligns with our commitment to improving quality of life by improving enhanced mobility options.”
“This project is years in the making, and it is incredible to see it come to life,” she added.
Public Works Director Eric Martinez offered some background on the project.
“This all started nine years ago … a local resident presented a petition to council … requesting the county of Los Alamos develop an urban bike path through the center of town, past historical places, and connect to the Rim Trail, suitable for strollers, wheelchairs, scooters, bikes, trailers and walkers,” he said. “This path is desired to be a paved two-lane trail, separate from roads and sidewalks where possible. So, I hope we achieved that goal.”
Martinez described Fleming as the person who championed the project. From her work, a sub-committee of citizens and staff was formed at the direction of the Transportation Board, he said. The sub-committee worked to develop a planning map, which would be included in the County’s bike plan. This bike plan, which Martinez said was the first of its kind for Los Alamos, was key in getting the Urban Trail funded and developed.
“I feel it was key to acquiring the millions of dollars of grant funds … that set the stage for everything you see here,” he said.
Project Manager Keith Wilson and Deputy County Manager Juan Rael emphasized it was a team effort to get the trail completed. Individuals including contractors, the design consultant, the New Mexico Department of Transportation staff, past and present councilors, Public Works Department staff, Community Services Department staff all contributed.
Some of those individuals attended the celebration Wednesday, including Fleming, who did the honors of snipping the red ribbon to ceremoniously open the Urban Trail for business.
Looking at the final product of what her petition inspired, Fleming said, “I feel just so grateful to everyone who contributed. It’s a pretty amazing community we live in, here.”
“It just makes me happy,” she explained. “It’s awesome.”
A view of the newly completed Urban Trail. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
The newly installed sign for the Urban Trail. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
