Dozens of volunteers gathered recently to clean the paths along Elena Gallegos Open Space in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
“We want to make sure that it stays nice for everybody,” Pat Bethke, one of the nearly 75 volunteers, told KOB 4. “We’re actually doing some work to make it look natural.”
The intent is to keep hikers and mountain bikers on the trails by relocating chollas and prickly pears to areas that should not be accessed, KOB 4 reported. Volunteers also diverted water so it flows away from walking trails.
“We feel very honored to be able to help and contribute to a beautiful society and environment that needs to be conserved,” Violet Martinez, one of the volunteers, said.
The group of volunteers was primarily made up of hikers, and bikers, including Viki Teahan, co-founder of the nonprofit group Save the Elena Gallegos. Along with cleaning up the open space, the group is battling Albuquerque officials in court to ensure the city follows the rules listed on the property deed.
“The deed has very clear land-use restrictions that are legally binding,” Teahan said. “They run with the land.”
Save the Elena Gallegos successfully opposed a 5,000-square-foot visitor center initially proposed by the city. According to the city, the open space attracts 200,000 visitors annually, and officials planned to build a visitor center with a classroom and coffee bar. But that plan was abandoned after public backlash. The city said it will use its resources to focus on trail work and renovating signage, benches, tables, and other amenities in the open space, KOB 4 reported.
“In my mind, the citizens own the park,” Teahan said.
Elena Gallegos Open Space, a 640-acre park, offers views of Mt. Taylor to the west, the Jemez Mountains to the north, and the vast Tijeras Arroyo to the south.