As part of Celebrate Trails Day scores of El Pasoans gathered to clean up and participate in events at the Playa Drain Trail Saturday.
Along with the Friends of the Paso del Norte Trail, community members hit the new trail early to maintaining the route. In addition to the clean up, residents were invited to walk the trail and even participate in yoga.
The Playa Drain Trail is a 3.4-mile trail that connects Ascarate Park and Riverside Park, opened in 2018. It was developed with funding from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation in collaboration with the City of El Paso and El Paso Water.
The trail, which takes its name from the historic irrigation system that runs alongside it, is one of the completed segments of the larger 68-mile planned Paso del Norte Trail that will extend across El Paso County.
The trail also includes more than 50 amenities including benches, exercise equipment, a stormwater management system, two burrowing owl habitats, two bat houses and solar lighting.
The western trailhead is located near the entrance to Ascarate Park.
The Paso del Norte Trail and Paso del Norte Health Foundation were recently recognized by Texan by Nature, a conservation non-profit, with the Conservation Wrangler Award. The award was given to six innovative conservation projects across the state of Texas for their science-based and results-driven approach to conservation along with their ability to positively impact people, prosperity, and natural resources.
Celebrate Trails Day was created in recognition of all the incredible health and mental wellness benefits that trails provide which include a variety of recreation, education, exposure to some of the beautiful flora and fauna, wildlife and preservation.
Photos courtesy Barracuda PR
