Grant County has launched a Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation and Trails Master Plan for the County. The intent of the plan is to develop a roadmap for the future of outdoor recreation and trails in Grant County that complements the area’s assets and economic development goals. The planning process is expected to take approximately one year, with adoption by the county in the spring of 2022.
 
Grant County has a diverse landscape and array of recreational opportunities, including hiking, biking, off-roading, fishing, and horseback riding. The study area for the plan consists of Grant County and adjacent natural areas such as the Gila National Forest, for which communities in Grant County serve as a gateway. This master plan will address patterns of use at popular locations in Grant County, such as the City of Rocks State Park. The plan will also establish policies and guidelines to influence collaboration between municipalities, encourage sustainable tourism and visitation, and preserve existing opportunities for recreation in Grant County.
 
The Grant County Outdoor Recreation and Trails Master Plan will be produced by a multi-disciplinary consultant team based in Vermont, Colorado, and New Mexico, consisting of SE Group and Terradynamics GIS, LLC. Together, these two firms bring relevant expertise in a variety of areas, including community and recreation planning, public engagement, economic and spatial analysis, and transportation planning. These firms will work in close collaboration with county officials and a Steering Committee made up of local leaders and officials with primary land management agencies with large holdings in the County, such as the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service.
 
Public engagement will be a foundational component of the master planning process. Public engagement efforts will include virtual meetings and webinars, online surveys, and in-person site visits. Information about the plan will be posted on GetOutsideGrantCounty.org a multimedia platform that provides background information about the plan and public engagement opportunities. Plan information, surveys, interactive maps, research findings and links to public engagement opportunities will be posted on the site. The project team will provide public engagement materials in both English and Spanish to ensure that Spanish-speaking members of the Grant County community can fully engage with the master planning process.
 
A general survey pertaining to outdoor recreation and trails in Grant County has been posted on the site. Both residents of and visitors to Grant County are encouraged to take the survey, which should take no more than 10-15 minutes. The intent of the survey is to gauge interest in a variety of recreational activities in Grant County and gain a broad understanding of the strengths and weaknesses to the county’s current array of opportunities.
 
Grant County is committed to creating a plan that encompasses communities across the county.
 
For more information, please contact Priscilla Shoup, Grant County Planning and Community Development Director, at (575) 574-0007 or email pshoup@grantcountynm.gov