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Thursday, March 17, 2005

Edgewood Has 5-Year Park Plan

By Stacey Boyne
Mountain View Telegraph
    The town of Edgewood has some big plans for parks and recreation, but it could be five years before much in the way of actual development occurs.
    On March 9, Edgewood Parks and Recreation director Rod Replogle submitted a five-year plan to the Edgewood Town Council and got approval.
    The document outlines the five-year process of developing parks and recreational amenities on Sections 16, 32 and 34 as well as 30 acres of Santa Fe County open space and the Edgewood trail system.
    Many of the ideas for these properties are nothing new, but their inclusion in the five-year plan formalizes their promise to bring more opportunity for recreation and conservation of biodiversity in the Edgewood area.
    Among the highlights of the five-year plan are:
   

The Bureau of Land Management is still considering the town's application to lease 248 acres on Section 34, two miles southeast from the town's current business center. A coordinator for the National Environmental Policy Act will host two federally required public meetings March 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Edgewood Community Center. The public meetings will discuss timber management and the environmental assessment that would allow the town to lease the acreage.
    Replogle and the NEPA coordinator will wander the land and return to the community center for comments about the proposed recreation area, dog park and future town equipment site.
   

Plans for state-owned land referred to as Section 32, located south of Old Route 66 and west of Edgewood 7, suggest a possible two-lane gravel road with a parking lot at the end allowing access to multi-use trails on the land. The location of the road and parking lot are unknown at this time.
   

According to the document, a 30-acre parcel near N.M. 344 and Church Road owned by the Santa Fe County Open Space and Trails Division will contain a system of three loop trails. The trails will vary in length, allowing hikers to enjoy brief and long walks on the property.
    This parcel is also the most equestrian-friendly. Edgewood Parks and Recreation hopes for a horse trailer-accommodating parking lot and a small horse facility with water hydrant, portable corral unit and several hitching posts. Although the property will remain Santa Fe County's, it will be the town's responsibility to maintain it.
   

Permission to create a six-foot-wide dirt surface trail along the west right of way of N.M. 344 has been granted. A request has been made to the New Mexico Department of Transportation to extend the trail three miles north of Edgewood Middle School to Frost Road. Ultimately the plan indicates that this 51/2-mile section of trail will tie into Santa Fe County Open Space.
   

Permission to prepare a dirt surface trail along Old Route 66 will be pursued once approval for the Frost Road extension has been received.
    So far, it appears the town can look forward to plenty of trails for hiking, mountain biking and equestrian-related activities. According to the plan, all trails will be off-limits to ATVs and other motorized vehicles.
    The document reports that efforts are being made to locate areas appropriate for these recreational activities. The document states that the trails system will have interpretive exhibits and will offer many opportunities for youth, adult and volunteer groups.
    The five-year plan contains no specific plans yet for ballparks, swimming pools or playgrounds.
    In fact, the document debunks the rumor that Santa Fe County has plans to develop the 10 acres surrounding the Edgewood senior center into athletic fields.
    The plan does mention, however, that if a new Town Center with recreational facilities emerges over the next five years, it could change both annual priorities and funding.