WHAT IS THE DITCHES-WITH-TRAILS PROJECTAND
HOW WAS IT FORMED?
The ditches and drains managed by the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District
are a valuable resource to North and South Valley residents in Bernalillo County.
In addition to the critical role of ditches and drains for farming, ranching
and drainage, these corridors offer wonderful opportunities for recreation.
The Ditches with Trails Project was formed in response to concerns about providing
safe routes to school, and about preserving the ditch system as cultural landscape
and trail network. In 2005, the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District Board
of Directors agreed to participate in a study to look at the feasibility of
creating formal trails on District waterways. As a part of this study, two pilot
project locations were identified, one in the North Valley and the other in
the South Valley.
WHAT WOULD A FORMALIZED DITCH-TRAIL
SYSTEM LOOK LIKE?
Formalization of the ditch trail system could mean many things. For instance,
informational and directional signs could be added. The design of gates could
be improved to facilitate access by non-motorized trail users, while preventing
entry by unauthorized motor vehicles. Trail aesthetics could be improved, safety
programs implemented, and educational and civic engagement opportunities created.
WILL ALL THE DITCHES BE DESIGNATED
AS TRAILS?
Continued community involvement can help establish criteria to determine which
ditches might become formal trails. Some ditches may be better suited for trail
designation than others. Issues like ownership, right-of-way width, connections,
and neighborhood support are important factors that must be considered. The
Ditches with Trails steering committee is planning a Design Workshop for the
North Valley Pilot Project in Fall 2007. The purpose of this workshop is to
develop a community vision and design concepts for a North Valley Pilot Project
trail, including surfacing, road crossings, signage, access, aesthetics, etc.
A second goal of the workshop is to get input from the public and other stakeholders
to help determine what types and designs of trails and facilities are appropriate,
feasible and desired for a range of ditches and drains. This input will be incorporated
in the Action Plan to be used as guidance for the pilot projects and future
trail proposals. However, any new trail proposed for MRGCD facilities would
have a public design process.
WILL DITCHES WITH TRAILS PAVE ANY OF
THE DRAINS/LATERALS? HOW WILL IT HANDLE ROAD CROSSINGS?
For the most part, the community does not want to see ditch trails paved. Also,
paving the narrow ditch corridors might hurt the ability of the Conservancy
District to dredge sediment and maintain the ditches. Some sections might benefit,
however, from periodic surface grading or stabilization to better accommodate
people with disabilities and baby strollers. There is a range of widths in ditch
right of ways, a variety of adjacent land uses, and other factors that influence
what type of surface improvements are feasible. The types of trail surfacing
have yet to be determined. The Conservancy District and designated trail manager,
in consultation with the Ditches with Trails Steering Committee and the interested
public, will determine the best surface for each trail segment. Safe road crossings
are critical to an integrated trails system on ditches and drains. Alternatives
for trail crossings at Montano Road and other streets will be explored in the
North Valley Pilot Project Design Workshop.
WILL FORMALIZING DITCH TRAILS LEAD
TO MORE CRIME, VANDALISM, DUMPING AND LOWER PROPERTY VALUES?
No, on the contrary, studies show that abandoned or neglected linear corridors
are improved by adding trails and increasing legitimate use. Crime and other
illegal activities tend to decrease as “community eyes” watch the
trail. Numerous studies also show that recreation trails increase property values
and revenues to local businesses. Community stewardship of ditch segments is
an integral part of this project.
WHAT TYPES OF USES WILL BE ALLOWED
ON TRAILS? WILL MOTORIZED VEHICLES BE KEPT OUT?
The Ditches with Trails Steering Committee envisions that ditch trail corridors
would accommodate only non-motorized use for recreation and transportation.
The existing uses would be permitted and opportunities for people with disabilities
might be enhanced. Only authorized motor vehicles (e.g., Conservancy District
ditch riders, irrigators accessing fields, emergency services, etc.) would be
allowed to access the trails. Every effort would be made to enforce restrictions
on un-authorized motor vehicles (e.g., ATVs, motorcycles, etc.) within the trail
corridors.
HOW WILL THE TRAILS BE MANAGED?
Several options for trails management are being explored. Potentially, the Parks
& Recreation Departments of the City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County,
and/or the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District could play active roles in
managing the system. The idea of establishing a “regional trails authority”
has also come up. The Ditches with Trails Action Plan will outline all of the
options under consideration.
I'VE HEARD THAT "DITCHES
ARE DEADLY" - DOESN'T THIS PROGRAM CONFLICT WITH THAT MESSAGE?
No, actually they mesh. The ditches are important as a community
trail system; but, they are potentially dangerous if not used
safely and correctly. We will be educating people about proper
use since children and adults will continue to travel along them
-- whether the trail system is formalized or not.
HOW MUCH WILL TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS COST
AND WHERE WILL THE MONEY COME FROM?
The cost of formalizing trails will depend on the desired level of improvements.
For example, the cost of installing informational or directional signs is minimal
compared to establishing trailhead parking or constructing new foot bridges.
Of course, any improvements would be phased in over a period of years. Potential
sources of funds include federal, state, and local programs. Most sources of
funds would likely relate to recreation or transportation, though this would
not always have to be the case. For instance, ditch trails might be eligible
for historic preservation, arts, water efficiency, and other funding programs.
Between 2005 and 2007, Bernalillo County received $850,000 from the State to
plan, design and implement the Ditches with Trails North and South Valley Pilot
Projects. The first step is to conduct the public design workshop that will
identify improvements that can be implemented in a phased manner, with a variety
of resources, including community members and volunteers.
HOW ARE DECISIONS MADE AND FUNDS MANAGED?
A Steering Committee, an informal group made up of partnering agencies, neighborhood
associations and interested individuals, has been formed to manage the Ditches
with Trails project. Anyone with an interest in ditch trails is welcome to participate
on the Steering Committee. A key goal of this committee is to create a Ditches
with Trails Action Plan. Presently, the Steering Committee is working on an
Action Plan that will incorporate public input and results from the Fall 2007
Design Workshop. The recommendations in the Action Plan will be available for
public review and input and then submitted to the Conservancy District’s
Board of Directors and the trail manager(s) for final approval.
Funds for the Ditches with Trails Program can be managed by partner government
agencies or certified non-profit organizations according to applicable laws.
Legislative funds from the State of New Mexico have been allocated to Bernalillo
County for Ditches with Trails planning and pilot projects. The Ditches with
Trails Steering Committee serves in an advisory capacity on the use of these
and future funds.
HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE DITCHES
WITH TRAILS PROJECT?
Information about the Ditches with Trails Project can be found at www.ditcheswithtrails.org.
There you will find general information about the project, news and upcoming
events, and public meetings. If you would like to get involved please contact
one of the organizers listed below. Everyone has a skill or talent that could
support this initiative. Artists, landscape architects, community organizers,
teachers, trail users, etc. are invited to participate in the Design Workshop
and other events and to provide time, energy, and ideas to the project working
groups. You can also voice support to your elected officials.
