County of Los Alamos - File #: 21874-26

• File #: 21874-26
• Version: 1
• Type: Grant
• Status: Consent
• File created: 6/23/2026
• In control: County Council - Regular Session
• On agenda: 7/7/2026
• 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
• Presenters: Cory Styron; Chelsea Ashcraft
• Indexes (Council Goals): Economic Vitality - Tourism and Special Events, Quality Governance - Fiscal Stewardship, Quality of Life - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity, Quality of Life - Health, Wellbeing , and Social Services, Quality of Life - Open Space, Parks, and Recreation

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...