Council Will Consider Trailhead Access to State Park

The El Paso City Council will consider a recommendation by the Open Space Advisory Board that will provide pedestrian access to designated state trail heads. At its regular meeting tomorrow, Council could ask that "the City Manager direct staff to coordinate with the necessary State agencies, Home Owner Associations, and if necessary, amend Title 19, to provide pedestrian access to designated state trail heads."

El Paso hikers and outdoor enthusiasts have indicated on more than one occasion their support for an ordinance that provides such access.

The Planning and Economic Development and the Engineering and Construction Management departments are in agreement with OSAB's request.

The recommendation follows a proposal first made by KVIA General Manager and avid hiker, Kevin Lovell. In a January 9, 2011 op-ed column for El Paso Inc., Mr. Lovell wrote:

The Franklin Mountains define El Paso providing its greatest source of beauty. Now, due to poor decisions by the City of El Paso and developers, I’m fighting a private land ownership wall that threatens access to our precious mountains. I moved into my home near Queen of Peace Church in the upper Westside in 1993. Since then I’ve been using a patchwork of jeep roads and trails to jog/hike into the Franklins. The primary trail used to be a half mile from my house. Due to development, it’s now three times that far to reach my preferred trail that extends east off a road named Calle Lago near the new Hornedo Middle School. Recently, a gated community called Ocotillo Heights sprung up at the upper end of Calle Lago. I don’t mind the gate blocking motor vehicle access to mountain trails. I am horrified to now be met by “No Trespassing” and “Violators Will be Prosecuted” signs when attempting to make the same walk I’ve made dozens of times for 17 years. How could the City and PSB have sold land and allowed developers and property owners to block access to a prominent jeep road and other trails that provide reasonable access to the Franklins? I’m determined to get a solution. I spoke in open forum at a city council meeting. Westside representative Ann Morgan Lilly has hosted two meetings involving the City Plan department, a representative of the developer and the head of the City Parks department. I presented my case to the Open Space Advisory Board this past week. I’ve personally talked with developer Doug Schwarz and PSB CEO Ed Archuletta and PSB board member and environmental activist Rick Bonart. At every juncture, I’ve been met with sympathy. Finding a solution is tougher due to Texas property owner laws. As I best understand it, the best solution lies with Nanette Smejkal, the director of the city’s Parks department. First, the property owners would have to be reasonable and permit development of a crude trail along the edge of the large privately owned open space surrounding the development to connect to the jeep trail. To make it happen, the parks department must accept right-of-way, thus assuming the liability of the trail. The city council may ultimately have to weigh in if an ordinance is introduced. Something must be done before other nearby private land is developed blocking access to trails leading into the Franklins. I welcome your thoughts and support and can be reached at kevinlovell@kvia.com.

City Council will also decide about two other Open Space Advisory Board recommendations. The first would leave ponding areas open for wildlife as wildlife corridors when those areas are part of a riparian corridor. The second recommendation is to rezone Keystone Heritage Park and the Rio Bosque as Natural Open Space (NOS).