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People who live in Albuquerque enjoy a rich and diverse natural and cultural setting. The Sandia Mountains rise over 5,000 feet above the City's eastern edge, providing a spectacular backdrop. To the west, five dormant cinder cones and a seventeen-mile long lava escarpment, which is covered with Native American rock art, dominates the horizon. Through the heart of Albuquerque runs the Rio Grande. The river and its bosque (forest) have been the oasis and life blood of central New Mexico for centuries. Numerous arroyos link the Sandia foothills, Rio Grande and volcanoes.
Preserving the major features of the city's natural setting is a high priority with the Albuquerque residents. As a result, the City has one of the most ambitious Open Space programs in the Southwest. This effort began with the 1969 City/Council Goals Program. Since then, Albuquerque has acquired over 24,000 acres of Open Space land, and manages another 4,000 acres. The City has established a permanent fund for Open Space which provides much of the support for management and some land restoration. Open Space acquisitions have been accomplished largely through funding with General Obligation Bonds, gross receipts taxes, and federal grants.
In 1983, the City of Albuquerque completed a complex land purchase and trade through a three-year quarter percent gross receipts tax. A large section of the Sandia Mountains, part of the Elena Gallegos land grant, was purchased. Most of the land was then exchanged for surplus federal lands in New Mexico. These exchange lands are being sold and the proceeds placed in a permanent fund for Open Space. Interest from the Open Space fund is used for management, operations, restoration, and development of recreational facilities on Open Space lands.
Albuquerque Police Department Open Space Unit patrol Open Space areas by foot, vehicle, and mountain bicycle. These fully commissioned law enforcement officers make contact with the public to educate and insure compliance with rules and regulations. Their dual mission is to protect the Open Space lands and resources while ensuring a safe and enjoyable visit.
The Open Space Resource Management and Visitor Services (RMVS) Section staffs the Elena Gallegos Picnic Area and Petroglyph National Monument (Boca Negra Canyon). In addition to fee collection, the park attendants are responsible for visitor contact, providing information, light maintenance and cleaning. RMVS crews perform routine trail maintenance including erosion control and reseeding of damaged areas.
Guided group tours, volunteer projects and other educational programs can also be arranged through this section. Trail Watch Volunteers and the C.I.O.T.E. program allows the public to become directly involved with resource protection and visitor safety.
Planning is also a major function of the RMVS Section. All MPOS lands totaling over 100 acres in size requires a Resource Management Plan for that property. Planning staff also review all development cases throughout the City and County for possible impacts to MPOS lands.
| LOCATION | ACREAGE |
|---|---|
| West Side | |
| Shooting Range | 4596 |
| Volcanoes | 4209 |
| West Mesa | 3651 |
| La Boca Negra Park | 1528 |
| Boca Negra Canyon | 138 |
| Piedras Marcades | 793 |
| Atrisco Terrace | 675 |
| Paseo del Volcan | 525 |
| Black Ranch | 200 |
| Total - 16,315 | |
| Bosque / Valley | |
| Rio Grande Valley State Park | 4027 |
| Graham Property | 126 |
| San Antonio Oxbow | 59 |
| Candelaria Farm | 176 |
| Los Poblanos Fields | 138 |
| Hubbell Oxbow | 87 |
| Pueblo Site/Roberson Ranch | 49 |
| Alamo Farm | 20 |
| Alameda/Rio Grande | 9 |
| Total - 4,691 | |
| Arroyos | |
| Montessa Park | 577 |
| Calabacillas Arroyo | 110 |
| Bear Canyon | 115 |
| Pino Arroyo | 18 |
| Total - 820 | |
| Sandia Foothills | |
| Foothills | 1059 |
| Elena Gallegos | 640 |
| Rounds Estate | 324 |
| Manzano/Four Hills | 306 |
| Tijeras Gateway | 327 |
| Total - 2,656 | |
| East Mountains | |
| Juan Tomas | 1455 |
| Golden | 1180 |
| Placitas | 560 |
| Gutierrez Canyon | 301 |
| San Antonio | 169 |
| Tres Pistolas | 106 |
| Carolino Canyon | 30 |
| Total - 3,801 | |
| Aggregate Total - 28,282 |