Open Space Division Planning Projects

Current Planning Projects

Alameda Open Space Trailhead Solar Project & Site Plan: The Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority designed a solar-covered parking area at the Alameda Open Space Trailhead to offset energy consumption at the Water Authority's Pump Station that supports Albuquerque’s drinking water. This project was approved with conditions at the Environmental Planning Commission on September 15th, 2022; more information including the application is posted on the EPC's website. The Parks and Recreation Department is also developing a site plan to improve overall amenities and recreation access at Alameda Open Space. A community input meeting occurred Tuesday, September 13th, at the Bachechi Education Center. The project team presented the trailhead redesign to the Environmental Planning Commission and was approved with conditions on November 17th, 2022. This information can also be found on the EPC website listed above.

Tijeras BioZone Education Center: The Open Space Division is kicking off a planning effort to design a site plan for the recently purchased, newly named Tijeras BioZone Education Center located on Old Route 66 along the Tijeras Arroyo, with the goal of providing an educational resource and destination to learn about the significance of environmental and cultural resources in the area. Preliminary concepts are being developed, and the first public meeting is anticipated to be held by September 2023. Please check back for updates and a future website for the project.

Tree Nursery Tract and Wildlife Viewing Areas at Candelaria Nature Preserve: Following the approval of the Resource Management Plan for the Candelaria Nature Preserve by City Council in 2021 (see link in Planning Documents section below), planning efforts began for the Rio Grande Tree Nursery and Wildlife Viewing Areas. The Tree Nursery Tract site plan was approved by the Environmental Planning Commission on August 18th, 2022. Wildlife viewing areas are under construction as of July 2023.

Tijeras Arroyo Bio-Zone: Several projects are being developed in the Tijeras Arroyo Biological Zone, including site plans for a trailhead and education center and the Tijeras Creek Cultural Corridor Plan.

West Mesa Trails Plan: Creating a comprehensive, multi-use, natural surface trail network on and between City of Albuquerque Open Space properties on the West Mesa. The draft plan is under development and will be posted for the public in the coming months.

San Antonio Oxbow Bluffs: Designing and stewarding the San Antonio Oxbow Bluffs and connections to the adjacent bosque. The Open Space Advisory Board voted on the design in summer 2023; OSD hopes to present to the Environmental Planning Commission before the end of 2023.

Elena Gallegos Feasibility Study at Elena Gallegos Open Space: Study existing conditions, identify needed site improvements, research precedent visitor center projects in the region, analyze affected views and road conditions, evaluate sites for suitability and provide a conceptual site and building program. The Parks & Recreation Department announced that the education center concept is no longer being pursued due to public comment; however, other improvements identified during the process including amenity updates will still be considered.

Hubbell Oxbow Farm Dam Expansion, and Recreation and Public Access Improvements: The Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority (AMAFCA) has proposed an expansion to the existing Hubbell Dam to improve flood control capacity for the greater Albuquerque area. The existing facility is adjacent to Open Space's Hubbell Oxbow Farm, where additional infrastructure and improved recreation and public access are also proposed. Open Space and AMAFCA are soliciting community input via an online survey.

Calabacillas Arroyo Trail Plan: The Calabacillas Arroyo on Albuquerque’s westside presents a great opportunity to increase park and recreation amenities in Northwest Albuquerque and to develop a critical connector trail. The natural arroyos in the northwest mesa have historically been barriers that separate neighborhoods and public facilities. This trail will reverse this condition by establishing the Calabacillas Arroyo as more of a park and recreation asset and a vital part of the City’s transportation infrastructure.

Comments on all Open Space Division projects can be emailed to [email protected].

Planning Documents

• City of Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 10: Parks & Open Space (2017) (Rank I Plan)
• Major Public Open Space Facility Plan (1999) (Rank II Plan)
• Bosque Action Plan (1993) (Rank II Plan)
• Los Poblanos Fields Open Space Resource Management Plan (2003)
• Hubbell Oxbow Farm Resource Management Plan (2004)
• Rio Grande Valley State Park, Central to Montaño Project: Environmental Monitoring Plan and Baseline Data Report (2014)
• Tijeras Arroyo Biological Zone Resource Management Plan (2014)
• Petroglyph National Monument Visitor Use Management Plan/Environmental Assessment (2018) (Federal)
• Candelaria Nature Preserve Resource Management Plan (2021)
• Bear Canyon Open Space Visitor Use Management Plan (2021)

Note that only Ranks I & II Plans were carried forward under the City's Integrated Development Ordinance. All other plans are not policy and are for internal guidance only.