Mayor Martin Chávez and the Open Space Division Invite You to “Join Us on the Trail”
During the 16th Annual National Trails Day Event

On June 7th, 2008 join the Open Space Division for the 16th Annual National Trails Day (NTD) event.  This is the largest and most influential trails celebration in the United States.   “Albuquerque is a city that truly appreciates the outdoors,” said Mayor Martin Chávez, “National Trails Day is an event that celebrates outdoor recreational opportunities for the whole family and brings the community together to make them possible.”
 
Every year, the American Hiking Association helps local groups organize dozens of trails projects throughout the country.  The Open Space Division and other local organizations including the U.S. Forest Service have signed on board again this year, and we’ve planned an exciting day of trails projects that will take place at the Elena Gallegos Open Space. 
The slogan for NTD 2008 is “Join Us on the Trail.”  The American Hiking Association describes the event as “An open invitation to all Americans to get outside, connect with local hiking clubs, outdoor retailers, local parks and recreation departments or federal land managing agencies to experience everything the great outdoors has to offer.”
 
National Trails Day serves three main purposes:  1) Educate the public on the importance of trails and their conservation; 2) Strengthen alliances of different agencies that work together beyond National Trails Day; 3) Create new trail advocates.  On June 7th, we will accomplish this and much more!  The Open Space Division’s main goal for the day is to have a great time while improving and protecting the outstanding Sandia Foothills trail system!
 
EVENT DETAILS: This year’s NTD celebration will take place at the Elena Gallegos Open Space in Albuquerque starting at 8:00 am and will last until about 1:00pm.  Volunteers will work on over 10 different projects ranging from reseeding to heavy trail maintenance and new trail construction in the Sandia Mountains and Open Space trail systems.  The Elena Gallegos Open Space is located east of Tramway at the end of Simms Park Rd., just north of Academy. 
Bring a hat, water bottle, snacks, sunscreen, work gloves, and lots of enthusiasm!  The Sandia Ranger District and Albuquerque Open Space will provide tools and instructions.  At the end of the event, we reward our volunteers with lunch and lots of prizes donated by our generous sponsors! 
 
Pre-register at Recreational Equipment Inc (REI) by calling 247-1191 or stop by 1550 Mercantile Av (I-25 and Montano).  The first 100 people to register by May 22nd will receive a NTD commemorative T-shirt!
NATIONAL TRAILS DAY IS SPONSORED LOCALLY IN PART BY REI, OPEN SPACE ALLIANCE, FRIENDS OF THE SANDIA MOUNTAINS, SPORTS SYSTEMS and SPORTZ OUTDOORS.