[NMCycling] Fwd: FW: News Release: Mayor Urges U.S. Forest Service to Maintain Access to Elena Gallegos Open Space

[Rich Walters via Bike-racers]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Walters, Jennifer L. <jwalters at cabq.gov>
Date: Mon, Aug 24, 2015 at 4:17 PM
Subject: FW: News Release: Mayor Urges U.S. Forest Service to Maintain
Access to Elena Gallegos Open Space
To: "Rich Walters (buynsellnm at gmail.com)" <buynsellnm at gmail.com>






*From:* Schroeder, Rhiannon L.
*Sent:* Monday, August 24, 2015 2:03 PM
*To:* Schroeder, Rhiannon L.
*Subject:* News Release: Mayor Urges U.S. Forest Service to Maintain Access
to Elena Gallegos Open Space



*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     *

*CONTACT: Rhiannon Schroeder 505.980.3567 <505.980.3567>*



August 24, 2015



*Mayor Urges U.S. Forest Service to Maintain Access to Elena Gallegos Open
Space*

*Proposed plan would dismantle existing trials in the Sandia Mountains*



*Albuquerque- *Today, Mayor Richard J. Berry publically urged the U.S.
Forest Service to withdraw consideration of a potential wilderness
designation that would inhibit access to Elena Gallegos Open Space. In a
letter sent to Elaine Kohrman, the Forest Supervisor of the Cibola National
Forest and Nation Grasslands Mayor Berry stated, “Recreational use and
public enjoyment of these areas contribute significantly to the quality of
life for our city’s residents.” He went on to say publically, “As the U.S.
Forest Service considers potential areas for wilderness designation, I
respectfully urge you to remove lands from consideration that fall north of
I-40 and east of Tramway in the Sandia foothills.”

Access to this area for all outdoor activities is threatened by the United
States Forest Services’ recent forest revision plan. Although the plan is
still within the public comment portion, the way it stands now would
completely dismantle existing trials for all outdoor recreation
enthusiasts. The plan would incorporate land surrounding the Elena Gallegos
Open Space which is part of Sandia Mountain Wilderness. This designation
would prohibit activities like mountain biking in that area, thus
disrupting mountain biker’s ability to easily access to city-owned Elena
Gallegos land.

Through a land purchase in 1983, the City of Albuquerque obtained one of
the city’s most treasured recreational areas, the Elena Gallegos Open
Space. This 640-acre park hosts a network of multi-use trails that offers
enjoyable challenges for hikers, bikers, and equestrians.

The City of Albuquerque boasts more than 29,100 acres of Open Space land
and 100 miles of natural trails for hikers and bikers alike can enjoy. The
mountain biking and hiking trails provide and encourage residents and
visitors with an outlet to pursue a hobby and passion, all the while
leading a healthy lifestyle through the rigorous exercise. The mountains
are one of the many qualities that set Albuquerque apart from other
Southwestern cities. Limiting the activities that can take place on the
mountain to such an extent would be taking away a natural attraction of our
city.

Albuquerque’s extensive trail system and outdoor recreational opportunities
has led to the city being nationally recognized in the following
categories:

·         Top 10 Mountain Bike Cities in North America by *SingleTracks.com*

·         50 Best US Cities for Biking by *USA Today*

·         One of the Fittest Cities in America by *Groupon*

·         Best Cities for an Active Lifestyle  by *WalletHub.com*

·         Top 9 Hiking Trails in the US by *Osyter.com*

·         Top Park Systems in the US by *The Trust for Public Land*

·         15 Fantastic U.S. Bike Trails by *The Active  Times*

·         10 Best Big Cities for Active Families by *Outside Magazine*

To view a complete list of all Albuquerque’s national rankings please
visit: http://www.visitalbuquerque.org/media/top-rankings/

*###*



Open Space Foothills Trail:

https://www.cabq.gov/parksandrecreation/documents/foothills_24x36.pdf





Forest Service Wilderness Proposal:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3847656.pdf







-- 
*Rich Walters*
*Realtor*
*Realty One*
*Cell: 505-269-3053*




*Fax: 888-700-8924BuynsellNM at gmail.com <BuynsellNM at gmail.com>
<rtsinc4 at hotmail.com>*
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