Title
Approval to Submit for the FY27 Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant Application to the New Mexico Economic Development Department, Outdoor Recreation Division in the Amount of $1,000,000
..Recommended Action
I move that Council approve the submission of the FY27 Outdoor Recreation Trails+ grant application to the New Mexico Economic Development Department, Outdoor Recreation Division in the Amount of $1,000,000.
County Manager’s Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council approve the motion as presented.
Body
The Outdoor Trails+ Grant Program provides funding for outdoor recreation infrastructure across New Mexico, and staff are seeking authorization to submit an application for the North Mesa Bike Park project. The grant program supports nature-based recreation that expands equitable access, strengthens local economies, and improves community health.
The FY27 program includes three funding tiers, with Tier 3 supporting regional projects requesting $500,000 to $1,000,000. Tier 3 projects must demonstrate strong capacity, regional impact, and solid partnerships, criteria that align well with this project. Staff propose applying for $1,000,000 in Tier 3 funding. The Community Services Department has a successful track record with this funder, having previously secured and managed Trails+ grants for the Bayo Canyon YCC Equestrian Trail, the Kinnikinnik Trail ADA Improvement Project, and the Bayo Canyon Trailhead Design Project, demonstrating the County’s organizational capacity and readiness for a Tier 3 award.
The project has strong community and regional backing, including letters of support from both the local and statewide teams of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA), Tuff Tykes-the local youth mountain biking club, the Family YMCA of Los Alamos, and others. This support, along with the broad recreational demand identified in the North Mesa Recreation Area Master Plan, aligns closely with the grant’s emphasis on partnerships and community involvement.
As an urban applicant, Los Alamos County must provide a 1:1 match, which will be fully funded through the Bike Park Capital Project budget approved by Council in April 2026. The Trails+ request will help fund the design-build portion of the project. While Council has approved a project budget, additional funding is needed to cover the anticipated full cost of Phase I as identified in the North Mesa Recreation Area Master Plan.
The Bike Park was identified through extensive public engagement as a top priority and responds to strong demand for safe, accessible bicycling facilities for youth, beginners, and families. It will offer a dedicated, close-to-home space where riders of all ages can build skills without relying on streets or advanced natural trails.
Planned features include a pump track, progressive skills elements, a youth beginner area, accessible paths, shaded seating, and other amenities consistent with community priorities. Final design will be refined through public engagement during the design-build process to reflect the needs of local riders, families, and partner organizations.
As a key Phase I component, the Bike Skills Park will enhance regional recreation connectivity through its proximity to the Kwage Mesa Trail system, support youth development and local cycling programs, and include environmental improvements such as drainage upgrades, habitat-supportive landscaping, and native vegetation restoration.
If the grant is awarded, staff will return to Council for approval of the grant agreement and a budget revision.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Planned Item
If awarded, the $1,000,000 Trails+ Grant would be recognized as grant revenue and allocated to the North Mesa Bike Park Capital Project, consistent with Council-approved funding authority. The required 1:1 County match will be met through the capital funding previously approved by Council in April 2026. Staff impact will be limited to project administration and coordination within the existing workload of the Community Services Department.
Alternatives
Council could choose not to submit the grant application.
Attachments
A - North Mesa Bike Park Grant Matrix Form for Outdoor Rec Trails+ Grant