Public Meeting Notes

We are pleased to announce the success of the two public meetings last week! We heard from a lot participants about their vision for a future trail, as well as what amenities it should include, and destinations it should connect to. The following are some of the key points from the meetings.

Vision

• The Rio Grande:

• “Embrace it and celebrate it”

• Would like the trail to stick as closely to the river as possible

• Touch on historical crossing points and modern day border crossings

• Emphasize cultural landscapes of route

• The levees and canals represent the cultural identity and history of the area (farming, the flow of the Rio Grande, etc.)

• Highlight neighborhoods on both sides of the border to “re-personalize” them and bring out community stories

• Support for businesses along both sides of route

• Local artist opportunities to make it truly local

• Tie to historical events/markers/periods

• San Elizario area

• Paso del Norte Crossing point (Oñate’s crossing point)

• Whole valley’s history

• Rio Bosque connection

• Weave multiple themes together

• Social/environmental justice of trail routes

• Create safe routes to schools and have trails that can be used for day-to-day activities, not just recreation

Amenities & Trail Design Features

• Plan for wide accessibility for multiple user groups, especially those with disabilities.

• Signage could indicate difficulty levels and distance/walk/bike times

• Mile markers to identify where you are…

• ADA Compliance

• Make sure to consider all modes of transportation as complementary (take a multi-modal approach to design)

• Sustainability and environmental concerns

• Look into the use of sustainable materials

• Use recycle materials along trail – specifically for trail surface (there may be a way to use recycled tires)

• Use local materials where possible, not just recycled materials

• Surfacing materials are important to consider

• Concrete is hard on runners – the Katy Trail in Dallas has a good paved surface

• Wayside exhibits and interpretive signage.

• Interpretative design features highlighting each neighborhood

• Markers for historical areas/sites

• Make interactive and use new technologies to appeal to multiple age groups.

• Scavenger hunt, QR codes, learning opportunities and prizes)

• Sponsorships from businesses

• Need for shade: create shade “oases” along route.

• Make pet friendly and provide access to water

• Community gardens along route

Important Connections

• Rio Bosque Wetland in Socorro is an important asset to connect to. The wetlands are a draw for bird watching, internal trails, and other outdoor amenities.

• Possibility to connect to Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park in Mesilla, NM

• Old Asarco Plan is the “keystone” to this project as it is a barrier as well as close to the original “Paso del Norte”

• Highway 621/180/Montana are another possible connection/corridor to consider

• Transit connections

• Tigua Indian land/areas are important (they own sites along the river)

• EPCO Historic District

• Historical Missions and Mission Trail

• Tie to Transit Orientated Design/Development (TOD) areas

Route Challenges

• How do we plan to work with Railroad, the Water District and other entities that own right-of-way along trail route? There are areas along existing railroad tracks that are hard/impossible to cross. Will the various railroad companies allow the use of their right-of-way? Are there liability concerns near tracks or ditches?

• Railroad is a major obstacle in Downtown – can be 30-minute wait for train switching

• Need over/underpass connections

• There may be challenges as well as opportunities in following ditch/irrigation channels due to service roads.

• Border fence creates “militarized” area along downtown – how do we deal with that?

• Coordinate with IBWC regarding access to and near the river.

• It’s really hard to bike on the west side due to traffic/connection issues

• EP Bike Club, Velo El Paso are aware of routes through Downtown/UTEP

• Upper Valley to Downtown Gap:

• Paisano Bike Corridor – a clear connection opportunity that TxDOT has not supported

• There may be a way to use EP Electric Company easements

• Chamizal Area:

• Problems and opportunities in this area to creating connections and safe routes to school

• There are issues with the existing County Club Trail that “just ends”

• El Paso Marathon Routes

• Could be a national draw

• It’s hard to find places to run in El Paso

• Ft Bliss used to allow access for the route, but no longer

• I-10 is a major impediment to finding a route.

• Fabens and Mesilla are the closest opportunities for riverside bike and running routes.

• General safety concerns of biking in El Paso

• Maintenance along entire route may be difficult to coordinate

• Mosquitos are a concern along the river and similar rural areas

Questions

• How will this project be phased and built?

• Questions about how and when environmental assessments/issues will be addressed in this project.

• Who will operate and manage trail in the future?

• How will maintenance be handled?

Notes from each meeting can also be viewed here (Title: PDN Trail Public Meeting Notes August)