Paso del Norte Trail community meetings scheduled

A vibrant outdoor hike/bike space is emerging mile-by-mile through neighborhoods across El Paso.

The Paso del Norte Trail is a regional landmark created to promote active transportation, preserve the region's history and culture, support economic development, and make healthy living the easy choice for our bi-national community.

With more than 20 miles of the planned 68-mile county-wide Paso del Norte Trail completed and another 28 miles in design and construction, we have scheduled several meetings to inform the community about our progress and gather feedback on trail amenities and features. These meetings are crucial for us to ensure that the trail meets the needs of all community members, including newcomers and already active walkers, runners, and cyclists.

We invite you to join us for several upcoming community meetings on:

• Monday, July 22, at 6 p.m. in the leisure room of the Valle Bajo Community Center and Library, 7380 Alameda Ave.
• Thursday, July 25, at 6 p.m. in the multipurpose room of the San Juan Recreation Center, 701 N. Glenwood St.

The 20 completed miles of the Paso del Norte Trail include 8.3 miles of the Playa Drain Trail from Ascarate Park to Capistrano Park and over 10 miles of River Trail from Country Club to Borderland. Thanks to significant state and federal funding, the 28 miles in design and/or construction will expand the trail from Racetrack to Country Club, Zoo to the Medical Center of the Americas, Zaragoza Bridge, along Alameda Avenue to Socorro, and through Fabens and Tornillo.

The Paso del Norte Health Foundation and our community partners — including the city of El Paso, El Paso County, Texas Department of Transportation, El Paso Metropolitan Planning District, Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority, city of Socorro, city of Sunland Park, and Paso del Norte Community Foundation — continue to pursue funding to complete all 68-miles of trail across El Paso County.

Charitable donations are also welcome — and will help us add amenities, trees, and trail miles. To learn more about how you can donate or get involved, visit the newly designed Paso del Norte Trail website, pasodelnortetrail.org.

We invite you to experience all the Paso del Norte Trail has to offer. Whether you take your four-legged friend for a walk, enjoy a morning walk or jog, join your friends for a bike ride during the evening, or bring the family to events the Paso del Norte Trail Foundation hosts year-round, the trail has something for everyone to enjoy.

Learn more about the Paso del Norte Trail at pasodelnortetrail.org or visit us on Facebook at pasodelnortetrail to stay connected with upcoming events and activities. To volunteer, contact the Friends of the Trail Coordinator at itrevino@loi-engineers.com.

Jana Renner is senior program officer for the Paso del Norte Health Foundation.