Las Cruces has finished construction on a new multi-use trail segment running from Main Street to Union Avenue, giving walkers, runners, cyclists and other nonmotorized users a fresh stretch of outdoor recreation space. The city says the project expands recreational opportunities and strengthens connectivity between neighborhoods in the area.
Construction on the segment began in January and wrapped up in June, according to the KTSM 9 News report on the project. Four Rivers served as the contractor, with funding provided through the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration, Trails Plus and the Paso del Norte Foundation, according to the City of Las Cruces.
Part of a Bigger Citywide Push
City officials describe the new segment as one piece of a larger effort to link neighborhoods, parks and natural areas through a connected trail system. Las Cruces is developing a comprehensive network, and the city has said trail connections encourage outdoor activity, health and wellness, environmental stewardship and overall quality of life for residents.
Looking ahead, the city is pursuing funding for a Phase II extension that would stretch the trail further from Union Avenue to University Avenue, per the same KTSM account. Officials have also said future projects will continue to strengthen the trail network and offer more opportunities for residents to walk, run, bike and enjoy the outdoors.
A Separate Project Near Las Cruces High School
Apart from the Main Street-to-Union Avenue segment, a separate trail connectivity project aimed at improving access near Las Cruces High School has completed its design phase and is expected to begin construction soon, according to the report. That project is intended to improve trail connectivity specifically around the high school campus.
How It Compares to Other Recent Trail Work
The new segment follows a pattern of trail expansion playing out elsewhere in the city. A new section of the Elks Trail recently opened along the east side of Columbia Elementary, creating what the Las Cruces Bulletin described as a safer, walkable connection linking nearby neighborhoods directly to the school. That section was funded with a $51,000 grant from the Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant program and was celebrated at a community event held at Columbia Elementary on February 13.
Las Cruces Public Schools safe routes coordinator Ashleigh Curry said that stretch of trail serves students at Vista Middle School, Columbia Elementary and another nearby school. Partners involved in that project have also said they hope to continue the trail even further into the city to provide more connectivity, the outlet reported.
Meanwhile, the Las Cruces City Council approved a separate CIP amendment allocating $287,000 in JRT bond funds to close out a segment of the South Main Trail, according to citizenportal.ai. That project carries a federal Recreational Trails Program grant of $200,000, and staff said the grant's expiration has been extended to 2027. Staff told the council that procurement delays and multiple unsuccessful bid attempts required the additional local funding to finish the work.
