By MELISSA BARTLETT
Los Alamos

The current Los Alamos County Parks and Recreation policy for access to the lower part of Bayo and Pueblo canyons is too restrictive and discriminates against those of us who have limited abilities.

Currently, parking is allowed only in the small dirt lot near the gate on the road that leads to the waste water treatment plant. Private vehicles that park anywhere past the gate are subject to ticketing.

This means that to access the many lovely trails of lower Pueblo and Bayo Canyons, the only option is a hike on the paved road and risk the trucks or on a small hot dusty trail parallel to that road. It is  approximately 2.5 miles one way to get to the START of lower Pueblo or Bayo Canyons. Thus to spend a couple of miles enjoying one of the level and pleasant trails of these canyons you must take a  hike of 7 or more miles roundtrip. Not all of us can manage it! (I personally rescued an 81-year-old avid birder who became overheated while trying to hike back one hot summer day.) For those of us with bad knees or backs, small children, old dogs, or with limited time and/or energy the ONLY trail we ever get to see is the one from the parking lot. Yes, these canyons can be accessed by trails from above, but these are too steep and rocky for many of us.

Staff from Parks and Recreation have said cars are not allowed inside the gate because of vandalism, and illicit tree chopping. However, this is short sighted and could be better addressed through a system of parking permits available yearly to residents, and CCTV cameras in strategic places.

I propose that the County allow additional car parking at the large dirt space near the small concrete bridge over the waste water treatment outlet stream, (approximately 2.2 miles down the paved road; sometimes called the Birder’s Parking). Allowing parking at the bridge lets those of us who are not young nor super fit enjoy this area also.

This solution would decrease people walking on the main road, allow access to a multitude of trails, and give space for people to spread out and enjoy our beautiful countryside. The parks are for everyone, including those of us who love the outdoors even if we aren’t so capable and strong.