Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell
Grants Awarded
The ENMU–Roswell Walking Trail with Exercise Equipment Project is a community-focused outdoor recreation initiative developed by the institution’s 3rd Leadership Fellows Cohort using funds left by an ENMU–Roswell alum. Initially planned as an outdoor pavilion for students, the project evolved into a quarter-mile illuminated fitness trail with exercise equipment and public amenities to better meet the needs of surrounding low-income neighborhoods. The trail is located on centrally positioned land between Gail Harris Avenue, University Boulevard, and Gillis Street, a high-traffic corridor connecting ENMU–Roswell to the Roswell Industrial Air Center (RIAC), Roswell Job Corps, New Mexico Youth Challenge, Sidney Gutiérrez Charter School, and other nearby facilities. The site includes parking on both the north and south sides and is well-lit, making it accessible and safe for public use. ENMU–Roswell is located in a low-income area of Roswell with no nearby illuminated fitness trail. Residents and youth currently rely on streets and sidewalks for physical activity, which presents safety concerns. The fitness trail provides a safe, structured alternative for walking and exercise, particularly benefiting nearby schools. For the 2026 school year, enrollment in surrounding schools includes 159 Early College High School students at ENMU–Roswell, 152 University High School students, 401 Mt. View Middle School students, and 228 Sunset Elementary School students, not including younger children in the area. The project also serves youth from Roswell Job Corps and New Mexico Youth Challenge, both located within close proximity. Many of these participants are low-income Hispanic and Native American youth under 18. ENMU–Roswell maintains a Memorandum of Understanding with Roswell Job Corps, and Work-Based Learning students have actively contributed to trail construction by preparing and installing base materials. Safety and sustainability are further supported by the Roswell Police Department, which is relocating its headquarters directly across the street from the Walking Trail. Officers have committed to using and patrolling the trail, ensuring it remains a safe and welcoming space. To date, ENMU–Roswell staff have completed most construction in-house, supported by $131,019.76 in donated funds. The New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant will be used to complete the project by purchasing outdoor exercise equipment, benches, trash receptacles, water fountains, dog waste stations, signage, portable restrooms, and aggregate surfacing. Primary Goals Provide safe, free, and accessible outdoor recreation for underserved youth and residents. Promote physical health and wellness through walkable infrastructure and exercise equipment. Reduce safety risks associated with exercising on streets and sidewalks. Strengthen partnerships among ENMU–Roswell, local schools, workforce programs, and public safety agencies. Enhance community quality of life through a sustainable, publicly accessible fitness space.
Eastern New Mexico University–Roswell (ENMU-R) is a public, two-year, Hispanic-Serving Institution dedicated to expanding access to high-quality higher education in southeastern New Mexico. As the only accredited institution of higher education with an open-door admissions policy within a 70-mile radius of Roswell, ENMU-R plays a vital role in meeting the educational and workforce needs of the region. The university serves more than 2,800 students pursuing academic transfer pathways and career and technical education aligned with high-demand, high-wage occupations. ENMU-R is the second largest of New Mexico’s ten branch community colleges. ENMU-R serves Chaves County, an area marked by significant economic challenges. Approximately 25% of children in the county live in poverty, and 34.4% of families are considered low income, with 22.26% living below the federal poverty level. Chaves County’s per capita income is 19.6% lower than the state average, and its poverty rate exceeds that of New Mexico overall—a state that ranks among the highest in the nation for poverty. In this context, ENMU-R functions as a critical engine for educational access, workforce preparation, and upward mobility. The university has a demonstrated record of engaging diverse and historically underserved populations, including rural residents, first-generation college students, and economically disadvantaged individuals. ENMU-R maintains strong partnerships with public schools, local governments, businesses, and community organizations, enabling it to reach broad audiences and respond effectively to local needs. Its experience working with populations that have limited access to educational, recreational, and workforce resources strengthens its capacity to deliver inclusive and impactful programs. ENMU-R’s mission is to empower a diverse community with academic and technical skills; support and prepare students for success in a rapidly changing world; and collaborate with business, industry, educational institutions, and the ENMU System. The institution is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and holds programmatic accreditations from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. Through its mission, partnerships, and accredited programs, ENMU-Roswell continues to advance educational opportunity and economic resilience across southeastern New Mexico. The project benefits from strong partnerships with local organizations. Roswell Job Corps, located in close proximity to the trail, is an active partner through an existing Memorandum of Understanding with ENMU-R’s Work-Based Learning (WBL) Program.