Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Trails Planning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
BPAC debates aspirational trail map and next steps for southern leg of multiuse loop trail
Summary
MPO staff proposed a long‑term process to update the bicycle facilities map and focus on completing the southern leg of the MPO’s multiuse loop trail; BPAC members pushed for an aspirational interactive map while staff noted property and jurisdictional limits.
MPO staff presented an initial approach to a long‑term review and development process for future trails and bicycle facilities, with a near‑term emphasis on completing the southern leg of the MPO’s multiuse loop trail. Staff asked BPAC for suggested missing connections and for ideas to include in an updated bicycle facilities map.
Several members said the BPAC should produce an aspirational, interactive map showing existing multiuse trails, planned projects, and potential future corridors for public comment. BPAC members argued aspirational maps help surface community ideas and formalize informal routes currently used by gravel and recreational riders. Dominic Loehr and other MPO staff cautioned that the MPO must respect property rights and that some agencies (International Boundary and Water Commission, Army Corps of Engineers, Elephant Butte Irrigation District, New Mexico State University and the Tortugas community) were not actively seeking project suggestions; staff said EBID and NMSU had been asked and responded, IBWC had been difficult to reach, and the Tortugas community showed resistance to facility construction.
BPAC members, including Ashley Curry and Jim Wilcox, urged a more “can‑do” tone and recommended staff pursue relationship building with stakeholders. Staff said they will begin conversations with relevant stakeholders about the southern leg in the immediate future, investigate the City of Las Cruces’ experience with interactive mapping tools, accept further BPAC suggestions, and return periodic updates. The item will be recurring on BPAC agendas as staff work proceeds.
Why this matters: an aspirational trail map and focused work on the southern leg could shape long‑term bicycle and trail connectivity across jurisdictions, but implementation depends on property rights, agency approvals and available staff resources.
Next steps: staff will contact City of Las Cruces staff about interactive mapping lessons learned, initiate stakeholder outreach on the southern leg, collect BPAC suggestions for missing connections, and report progress at future meetings.
