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Residents urge protection for North Mesa Park open space as recreation plans advance
Summary
Public commenters told the Los Alamos Historic Preservation Board that a looped pathway and native mesa vegetation at North Mesa Park should be preserved after zoning shifted from passive to active open space, warning proposed recreation development could damage historic natural habitat used by nearby residents.
Georgia St., a local resident speaking during public comment, told the Los Alamos Historic Preservation Board that a portion of North Mesa Park near North Mesa Park Road is an original mesa landscape and an accessible pathway used regularly by residents of the La Mesa Mobile Home Park. "That area is an accessible pathway...it probably looks a lot like it did when the homesteaders first came," Georgia said, arguing the site has both natural and historic value and should not be converted into intensive recreation use.
Board members and the public described a history of temporary FEMA trailer placement after a 2000 fire, utilities that were later removed, and later development of fields and courts nearby. Georgia said the site had been reclassified from "open space passive" to "open space active," which she said exposed the area to more intensive recreation uses such as bike‑park features or additional courts. She urged the board to treat the area as a historic‑preservation concern and to press for careful vetting of any Parks & Recreation plans.
Chair Patrick Moore and board members asked clarifying questions about the trail's age and zoning; members noted the Parks & Recreation process still requires public vetting. Danielle, the county planning manager, confirmed that current plans are still under review and that the public process would continue. Members suggested the board could forward concerns to council and coordinate with Parks & Recreation when formal plans are presented.
The board took no formal vote on the matter; public commenters requested that the board monitor project plans and consider historic preservation implications when the Parks & Recreation proposals return to the public process. The item remains subject to future agenda review when consultants or Parks & Recreation present finished proposals.
