Tag Archives: paso del norte trail

Construction is underway for the first segment of the Borderland’s largest, connected walking trail: The Paso Del Norte Trail.

Jordan-Foster Construction received the green light to begin construction of 3.4 miles of the Playa Drain Trail from Ascarate Park to Riverside Park. Construction will begin on the Ascarate Park side of the trail and move in one-mile segments until completed.

The Playa Drain Trail is a partnership of the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, City of El Paso and El Paso Water.

According to PDNHF officials, the 3.4-mile trail “will offer opportunity for recreation and physical activity (walking/biking) for use by residents throughout the region and as an alternative to driving for near-by residents, and part of the Health Foundation’s commitment to making active living the easy choice for residents in the region.”

The Health Foundation is contributing $2.5 million for the design and construction of the trail from Ascarate Park to Riverside High School. The City of El Paso is contributing $300,000 from the Quality of Life Bond for trail amenities like benches and shade structures, as well as lighting for the project.

The City’s Parks and Recreation Department will maintain the trail once completed. El Paso Water purchased the Playa Drain for storm water management and is allowing for its public use as a trail.

The trail is set to be complete by the end of August. For construction updates, visit pasodelnortetrail.org.

Community members are invited to a meeting Thursday evening regarding the downtown segment of the proposed 50-mile Paso del Norte Trail.

The community meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 25, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Bowie High School Cafeteria, located at 801 South San Marcial Street

Via a news release, the Paso del Norte Health Foundation says, “The trail will stretch a proposed 50 miles across El Paso County, connecting neighborhoods, providing El Pasoans with a new recreation option, and promote a healthy, active lifestyle.”

The National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program is partnering with the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, City of El Paso, Downtown Management District and County of El Paso to provide technical assistance in developing the proposed route.

Officials say the meeting will talk about the segment of the trail from Sunland Park to the Chamizal National Memorial, that includes multiple neighborhoods and downtown corridor.

The goal for the trail is to develop a dynamic hike and bike trail to promote health and active living, connect neighborhoods to other amenities, celebrate El Paso’s history and culture, highlight the Rio Grande and catalyze economic development.

The website eptrails.com has been developed to provide updates on the project.

The Paso del Norte Health Foundation’s project team, Sites Southwest/Alta Design will hold two public meetings to provide an overview of the county-wide linear trail project, August 9th and 10th.

The Paso del Norte Health Foundation (PdNHF) is partnering with the Institute for Healthy Living (IHL) to develop a route map for a county-wide linear trail in El Paso.

The sessions will feature interactive exercises, opportunities for input, and a discussion of next steps from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation’s project team, Sites Southwest/Alta Design.

Officials with the Paso del Norte Health Foundation say, “Trails and outdoor recreation opportunities are an excellent way for people to get outdoors, exercise, and explore their neighborhoods…they also create important connections between amenities (parks, schools, businesses), can lead to economic development, and improve overall quality of life.”

First Meeting -Wednesday, August 9, 2017 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Westside Regional Command Center 4801 Osborne Drive El Paso, TX 79922

Second Meeting – Thursday, August 10, 2017 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Mission Valley Regional Command Center 9011 Escobar Drive El Paso, TX 79907