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El Paso names Jorge Castillo open space trails and parks coordinator; vows closer maintenance and outreach
Summary
The Open Space Advisory Board heard from Jorge Castillo, newly rehired as the city’s open space trails and parks coordinator, who described early site assessments, coordination plans with maintenance staff and community stakeholders, and steps to address vandalism and trailhead repairs.
Jorge Castillo, newly appointed open space trails and parks coordinator for the City of El Paso, told the Open Space Advisory Board he has been surveying trailheads and infrastructure since returning to the city and plans to work closely with parks maintenance and community stakeholders.
Castillo said he returned from positions in San Marcos and Pima County and applied for the post that was re-opened late last year. “My name is Jorge Castillo,” he told the board. “I spent the last 10 days or so just kind of perusing the area, the trailheads, and some of the infrastructure that was put in place.”
Board members pressed Castillo on responsibilities and operational details. Castillo said he has begun photographing sites, logging maintenance requests into the city’s work‑request system and meeting with maintenance staff. “I’m putting those requests through the city request,” he said, and added he will set up regular meetings with parks maintenance staff who recently were reorganized back under the Parks Department.
Members raised recurring concerns about informal “rogue” trails, vandalism and broken or missing signs. Castillo said vandalism and lighting outages have been reported at some trailheads and that he is assessing bike‑repair stations and drinking fountains to determine repair or replacement needs. He also acknowledged motorized vehicles on natural trails and said he will increase field observations. “I need to get out there a little more often,” Castillo said.
Castillo and board members agreed the formal reporting channel remains Kevin Smith of Planning & Inspections; Castillo said residents may contact him directly and copy Smith. He said he will provide contact information for the board and that he can be invited back for a future update once routines and reporting portals are in place.
Board members noted upcoming volunteer opportunities—April 26 National Trail Day was mentioned by a board member—and asked Castillo to coordinate city participation with volunteer groups and nonprofit trail partners. Castillo said he had met with Frontera Land Alliance and will work to clarify property boundaries and maintenance responsibilities where parcels and easements overlap with city utilities.
Ending: Castillo will supply contact information to the board, continue weekend inspections and return with a more developed report on duties and coordination at a future meeting.
