After 18 months of public meetings, on-line surveys and planning sessions with community leaders, stakeholders and trail enthusiasts, the concept for a 60-mile county-wide trail is now one step closer to reality with the completion of the Master Plan to guide its development.
The planned Paso del Norte Trail spans the length of El Paso county from its border with New Mexico to the agricultural areas of the Lower Valley connecting neighborhoods along the route to schools, parks, worksites and other destinations and providing greater opportunities for increased physical activity for residents and visitors alike.
After an initial request from the leadership at the County of El Paso, the Paso del Norte Health Foundation contracted with Sites Southwest and Alta Planning + Design to create the Master Plan. The project was further supported by a technical assistance grant from the National Parks Service’s Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program and the leadership and input from the County of El Paso, City of El Paso, El Paso Water, El Paso Water Improvement District No. 1, El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization, Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority, Texas Department of Transportation, International Boundary and Water Commission, Housing Authority for the City of El Paso, Medical Center of the Americas Foundation, Velo El Paso, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso Independent School District, neighborhood associations and countless other organizations and community residents.
“We are inspired by the enthusiasm for the trail concept and grateful to the leadership of our Board of Directors and all of the organizations and individuals who helped in the planning process,” said Tracy J. Yellen, CEO of the Paso del Norte Foundation. “The Paso del Norte Trail will be an important resource for our region connecting communities, celebrating El Paso’s rich history and culture, highlighting the Rio Grande, and promoting health and active living,” The Health Foundation will now work with community leaders to create a nonprofit trail corporation to guide the implementation of the Master Plan. The Health Foundation looks forward to taking these next steps.
For a copy of the Master Plan click on this link.
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