A long-discussed plan to extend a popular walking path in Santa Fe County could become reality if voters next week approve a $5 million bond to fund the project.
As envisioned, the extended path would run from Siler Road to the San Ysidro Crossing, running adjacent to the Santa Fe River. At the San Ysidro Crossing, the trail would connect to an already-existing bike trail heading to nearby Romero Park.
The project is officially called the Santa Fe River Greenway Trail.
Out of the $5 million bond, exactly $3.2 million would go directly for the acquisition of property needed for the project as well as to the design and building of the trail. That figure would be bundled with another $3.5 million approved by county voters in 2020 to extend the path.
That path, and the planned extension, is regarded as a multi-use trail, meaning that it is also used for pedestrians and those walking their dogs.
The Santa Fe River Greenway project is ultimately designed to build 15 miles of trails. In a brief released by the Santa Fe Watershed Association it is noted that the completion of the trail project will “revive the traditional use of the corridor as a transportation route and focus community members and visitors on the historical role of the Santa Fe River” in connecting to adjacent communities.
By Garry Boulard