COMPILED PUBLIC COMMENTS, PROPOSED MULTI-USE ACCESSIBLE PATH FROM I-40 TO CAMPBELL ROAD (November 15, 2015 through January 31, 2016) (1) From: Scott Jordan Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2015 3:24 PM Subject: Bosque Walk Nov 13 Hello Matt, I participated in the bosque walk last Friday. For many years I walked the trails in that section of the bosque, a beautiful place, but haven't been on them since the devastating fire. However, I was encouraged to see the restoration efforts that have already been accomplished. I walk the bosque trails adjacent to the Rio Grande Nature Center often, observing birds and nature in general. Bicycle riders are a moderate problem there at the present time; I have to constantly be on the watch for them, which makes the walking experience much less enjoyable. Most are careful regarding walkers, but a few are traveling way too fast and require last second jumping out of the trail by walkers. Most of my friends who walk the Bosque agree with me. It was clear from the walk last Friday that bikes in that section are more numerous than I have experienced near the RGNC, and improving the trail by widening and adding a crushed rock surface will only increase their numbers. The City seem determined to "improve" the trails, so problems will only increase. I am a strong bicycle supporter in general, just not on trails inside the Bosque. I was a member of Albuquerque's first Bikeway Study, starting in the late 1960's (our report was issued in 1974). During and after that time, I consistently bicycled to work, and have been riding on the the Paseo del Bosque Trail since it was under construction til the present time, logging over 37,000 miles since I began to keep records in 1993. I doubt that separate trails for bikes and walkers would work because without enforcement they would not stay separate. No doubt walkers would also use the separate bike trails, even if they do so at their own risk. I have no improvements to advocate, other than doing only minor improvements on the footpaths that now exist. I doubt the close approach to the river bank in a few places significantly impacts wildlife, so would not be in favor or rerouting the existing paths. Many thanks, Scott Jordan (2) From: james hutton Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2015 2:59 PM Cc: Scott Jordan; [email protected] Subject: Bosque Walk November 13 feedback. Matt, I went on the walk last Friday, and tried to listen to all the various comments and suggestions. I should note that I am presently the President of the Rio Grande Nature Center, but that these comments are my own. I’ve heard many comments from various Friends members, but can’t presume to speak for or represent them. I have some questions: 1. Who are we changing the trails for: walkers? Bikers? Disabled (wheel chairs, etc.)? Children, especially school groups? 2. What are we doing to the trails to preserve and help wildlife? I see a lot of discussion about restoring the bosque, removing some trees, overbank flooding, etc. I believe this is designed to both “restore” the river to some earlier time, as well as improving habitat for flora and fauna. 3. Specifically how are we balancing the needs of Question 1 versus Question 2? 4. Has anyone explained how we are to measure the “success” of any changes we make to the bosque trails? How many new walkers, new bikes, more wheelchairs, more children? I have not heard anyone discuss how we decided whether the changes were good or bad. In my view, the present plans are designed to increase trail usage indiscriminately, to the detriment of the bosque environment, and to the detriment of enjoyment for walkers and children. My suggestions: 1. Don’t modify paths to better accommodate bikes; They already have a paved path of their own. 2. Pick a few selected places for disables access that are paved, close to parking, easy of access, with good views of the bosque and the river. 3. Keep paths as narrow as possible, with only occasional access to the river. 4. Continue present restoration efforts to restore the bosque natural environment. I am referring to the long range plan for overbank flooding, mosaic development, and cottonwood thinning. (3) From: David Conklin Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2015 10:30 AM Subject: I-40 to Campbell Trail Matt, I enjoyed our hike last Friday, and (as you suggested) would like to provide a few written comments. As a frequent user of that stretch of trail for the past 25 years, I sincerely hope that a crusher-fine surface will not be constructed over the existing woodland path in that area. The new crusher-fine trail to the south has a hard, uniform surface. This may be OK for the occasional visitor to the Bosque (and of course for wheelchairs), but walking on such a surface on a regular basis could cause joint damage in many of us. And it’s not just the impact, it’s also the uniformity. The slight irregularities of a natural (dirt) surface result in more range of motion in the joints; a uniform surface restricts motion and (along with the impact) leads to repetitive stress pain/injury. You mentioned the possibility of splitting off the crusher-fine path somewhere in the vicinity of the power line, to preserve the existing dirt trail in the northern part of this segment. This is a very good idea! However, I would prefer to see the entire dirt trail left alone. If a “split” becomes the selected alternative, I’d prefer the split south of the power line: there’s enough width; “cut-offs” might occur regardless of where the trail is split. Frankly, I don’t see cut-offs being a big problem in this section of trail. An even better option, as someone suggested on our hike, would be to simply put a crusher-fine trail up on the levee road. I am disappointed that our Bosque trails are being “improved” in this fashion (crusher-fines). It’s great to make accommodations for disabled individuals, but to overlay miles of existing woodland trail with crusher fines, seems overkill, especially since there’s already a paved, multi- use trail here extending from Alameda to Rio Bravo!! Shorter segments of handicap-accessible trails to selected riverside viewpoints would seem a more sensible management plan. I love our bosque trails and they are one of the main reason I am still living in Albuquerque. Why do our trails have to be like sidewalks? For the vast majority of folks, the existing dirt trails are already easily accessible (parking is the biggest problem, not the trails themselves!). I think we’ve already made reasonable accommodation for the disabled in the bosque. My partner of the past 15 years is disabled, and she agrees with me. Please keep me informed. (I did not sign up on your “hiker list.”) Sincerely, David Conklin (4) From: MasterfulMosaics . Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2015 11:41 AM Cc: Mayor Berry Subject: Bosque trail extension Hello, I'm voicing my opinion about the Bosque trail extension from I-40 to Montano. As a resident of the Duranes neighborhood and a daily user of the trails on the Bosque I feel my input should be heard. I propose that we leave the section from I-40 to the Rio Grande Nature Center (RGNC) untouched and that the money planned for the trail extension would be better used upgrading the RGNC trails to be handicapped accessible. It is important to leave parts of the Bosque as natural as possible for future generations to enjoy while also paving others to allow everyone a chance to see the beauty of our Bosque. I think this can be achieved by only paving sections of the Bosque instead of the entire trail system from Tingly Beach to Montano. The newly built trail south of I-40 is a perfect place for people who wish to be on a paved trail to walk, roll, run, or ride on. What about those of us who don't want a paved trail such as mountain bikers, horseback riders, and people who love the feel and experience of an unimproved trail? Our voice matters most because we already use the trail. Please keep the option of an unimproved trail open to us. I run my dogs along the trail section from I-40 to the RGNC every day, sometimes twice. If you pave that trail, I will be forced to leave the community I bought my house in, because of its proximity to the natural paths, and find new places with natural trails to ride. I would have to do this because the crusher fine of the paved path wears down my dogs pads when they run with me along the trail on my bike. I used to take the trail south of I-40 all the time until it was paved, after it was paved I took it for a few weeks and noticed the wear on my dogs pads. The natural trail is their natural environment, keep it natural. After the trail was paved, I started riding other trails in the area that were unimproved until they were covered over with logs and debry for "regeneration", then I moved to the trail north of I-40 and love it. The proposed north trail diverts from the existing trail and turns inland about halfway down right when the natural path follows the river bank.