City of Sunland Park
Grants Awarded
This project focuses on enhancing the 1.3-mile Paseo Del Sol Trail with upgraded amenities such as canopies and picnic tables, promoting outdoor recreation among runners, horseback riders, and hikers. By improving wayfinding and adding features for wildlife viewing and nature walks, the initiative seeks to foster healthier, more resilient communities in Sunland Park and provide residents in New Mexico with greater access to natural spaces.
The first phase of the Rio Grande Trail will promote outdoor recreation and enhance connectivity within the community, stretching along five miles from Racetrack Drive to Country Club Road. The project will improve access to natural spaces through new trail bridges and adequate parking, ultimately fostering a healthier, more engaged local population.
This program provides impoverished youth in Sunland Park with hands-on learning opportunities focused on ecology and environmental science, enabling them to explore their local environment while gaining access to essential tools. Participants will engage in unique educational experiences that foster a deeper appreciation for their surroundings, contributing to personal growth and community awareness.
Sunland Park is a city in southern Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States, on the borders of Texas and the Mexican state of Chihuahua, with Ciudad Juárez adjoining it on the south and El Paso, Texas, on the east. The community of Santa Teresa adjoins it on the northwest. The population of Sunland Park was 14,106 at the 2010 census and was estimated at 17,978 by the United States Census Bureau in 2019. Though it lies adjacent to El Paso, being in Doña Ana County makes it a part of the Las Cruces metropolitan statistical area. The city is at the foot of Mount Cristo Rey, next to the Rio Grande, and is named for Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino, which lies within the city limits. The location was formerly called “Anapra”, a name shared by an adjacent area of Ciudad Juárez. Sunland Park was formed when the unincorporated communities of Anapra, Sunland Park, and Meadow Vista voted to incorporate as Sunland Park on July 13, 1983. Today, the City is rapidly growing, which has led to development of a detailed Comprehensive Plan Master Plan, Strategic Plan, updating of ordinances and zoning regulations, and development impact fees. Future development is focused on development of the outdoor recreational economy, given the Rio Grande bisects the City limits. A strong Mayor-Council-City Manager Government structure have led to the successful passing of the City’s first General Obligation Bond, a significant portion tied to planning, design, and construction of multi-use trails.