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Bear Ridge and Mountain‑to‑River trailheads cleared for spring construction; board seeks clarity after 'no trespassing' signs and funding questions
Summary
City Capital Improvements staff told the Open Space Advisory Board the Bear Ridge and Mountain‑to‑River trailhead projects are in procurement and targeted for May–June construction starts, while board members pressed staff and El Paso Water over no‑trespassing signs, fencing and funding origins.
City Capital Improvements staff presented combined updates on two District 1 trailhead projects—Bear Ridge and Mountain‑to‑River—and said both are entering procurement and are scheduled to start construction in late spring. The board raised concerns about fencing, “no trespassing” signage installed by El Paso Water, overlapping stormwater and Quality of Life (QOL) funding, and long project timelines.
Gilbert Guerrero, interim director for Capital Improvements, said the two projects are part of the 2012 Quality of Life program and that the city’s planned construction budgets are approximately $160,000 for Bear Ridge and $872,000 for Mountain‑to‑River. Guerrero told the board the projects are in procurement with anticipated City Council approvals in April and construction starts in May or June.
Guerrero outlined planned trailhead features at Bear Ridge—an informational kiosk consistent with other city trailheads, a water drinking fountain, bike‑repair station, trash receptacles, a covered table, landscaping with trees for shade, an irrigation system, and ADA‑accessible parking (eight spaces plus one accessible spot). For Mountain‑to‑River, he described seating, bike repair, sidewalks and ramps at a railroad crossing and wayfinding signage. “Both projects [are] starting construction, May, early June,” he said.
Board members, led by Dr. Bonnard, identified an immediate concern: an El Paso Water contractor had left fencing and “no trespassing” signs in areas used by hikers and bicyclists. Dr. Bonnard said a QR code at the site had earlier shown a $5,000,000 figure and signs that implied the public could not access the property; she asked whether 10% stormwater acquisition funds were repurposed in a way that now restricts public access. Guerrero and staff said El Paso Water installed signs at the direction of its legal department during construction to prevent vehicles from entering the arroyo as a staging area; city staff said El Paso Water plans to adjust signage in April and that a narrow pedestrian opening currently exists at the white gate.
Board members also expressed frustration with the multi‑year timeline for what they consider a long‑standing priority, the Mountain‑to‑River natural surface trail system. A board member noted the Mountain‑to‑River trail had been a priority since at least 2007 and that the board favored a natural‑surface route rather than a paved connector. Guerrero said the current work is limited to trailhead improvements and paved segments where already in place; he committed to researching budget line‑items and to bring a fuller project update for the trail system at a future meeting.
Staff and board members discussed coordination with other agencies. Guerrero said the Mountain‑to‑River trailhead sits inside a TxDOT right‑of‑way and is not on state park property; he agreed to notify and coordinate with Texas Parks & Wildlife and Frontera Land Alliance and to verify whether TxDOT has plans for roadway or park access that might conflict with trailhead investments.
Ending: Capital Improvements staff will return with a more detailed timeline and a clarification on funding sources and property signage. Board members said they will monitor the sites and requested El Paso Water correct misleading “no trespassing” language and fences before the April meeting.
