Las Placitas Association report is a monthly report from the nonprofit organization in Placitas that works to protect open space, restore riparian watersheds, and promote recreational, educational and rural activities.
50 Years of Service: 2023 was a productive year for LPA and we are looking forward to 2024 with a long list of activities and priorities, not the least of which is a 50th Anniversary party. Details will follow, but you can save the date – 6 pm, Tuesday, April 17 at La Estrella Event Center.
Safe Hike and Bike 165 Project: The dream of a bike and walking trail along Highway 165 began with looking to NMDOT to widen the shoulder along 165 and soon morphed into the prospect of an adjacent off-highway trail that would eventually connect to the greater Sandoval County trails system and the Rail Runner station in Bernalillo. The Sandoval County Sheriff’s Department has taken the lead on this, securing funding for a feasibility study and now looking for recreation grant money to continue this project. Two of LPA’s board members are working on this in coordination with Sandoval County.
Rio Grande Trails: LPA board members are also involved in meeting with and reviewing recommendations from the Rio Grande Trail project being led by the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division for a trail system generally running along the Rio Grande from Mexico to the Colorado border. This might include a Regional Trail Loop around Sandia Mountain and we are looking to ensure this would complement rather than conflict with our desire for a neighborhood trail through Placitas and our desire to protect the Crest of Montezuma as a wildlife corridor.
Placitas Withdrawal: Although we must wait for reports from the BLM on the results of the comment period, all indications are that years of hard work by LPA and ES-CA will result in a victory for Placitans and a ban on mining activity on federal lands adjacent to Placitas.
Chaco – A Sacred Place: As part of our 2023 outdoor activities, LPA sponsored a photography field trip to Chaco Canyon. It provided the motivation for an art exhibit at the Placitas Community Library in July 2024, open to artists in any medium for work inspired by Chaco Canyon and its outliers. The call for artists will be published in early May, but you can begin work on your submissions now!
KUPR: 2024 is shaping up to be a year of equipment maintenance and replacement. They have a reserve for this purpose, but should the nine-year old transmitter go out, the expense will exceed reserves. An on-line auction will launch mid-February, followed by a St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Placitas Winery’s season opening March 17. Some exciting music fundraisers are lining up for the summer … stay tuned and help KUPR stay on the air.
Annual Board Elections: A small number of people work on a vast array of projects that further our goal of protecting open spaces, wildlife corridors, watersheds and quality of life in Placitas. We need you on our all-volunteer team – you can make a difference by renewing your membership or becoming a board member. Go to lasplacitas.org or contact us at theboard@lasplacitas.org.