In the heart of Albuquerque, the Rio Grande Bosque includes 4,300 acres of protected cottonwood gallery forest. It’s a great natural space to find inspiration for your own landscape. The bosque is just one of many beautiful open space areas in the greater Albuquerque area that provide recreation, conservation, education, heritage and design inspiration. The plants you see in these natural areas are likely to do well in yards in that same part of town. Plants that are growing near each other will make good combinations in yards as well.
Today, we are highlighting a couple of beautiful natural areas to visit along the Rio Grande, all offering educational opportunities and recreational trails.
Paseo del Bosque Trail
This 16-mile long uninterrupted trail connects Albuquerque’s North and South valleys, starting at Alameda NW next to the Bachechi Open Space. Heading south, the paved trail passes the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park and the Albuquerque BioPark near Central Avenue before ending south of the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Because this is a multiuse trail, you are likely to encounter more than bicyclists, walkers and runners. The trail also is used by people with wheelchairs, in-line skaters, equestrians, families with strollers and others. The City Parks and Recreation Department reminds users to remember that “courtesy and caution are a part of having an enjoyable and safe experience on Open Space trails.”
Bachechi Open Space
Brought to you by Bernalillo County and located along the Paseo del Bosque Trail south of Alameda NW, Bachechi is a 28-acre open space area with an Environmental Education Building that includes an indoor interpretive area and an outdoor classroom. Here, kids can grab Nature Packs, kid-sized backpacks filled with guides, hands-on supplies and activity sheets to teach kids how to explore the open space area. There are a variety of interpretive trails through native landscaping and migratory waterfowl habitat, which includes blinds for viewing the birds and other wildlife. An arboretum on the northern 8 acres of the property shows off many specimens of trees.
Rio Grande Nature Center State Park
A New Mexico state park located in the middle of the city, the nature center focuses on bird watching with many wildlife viewing areas overlooking native gardens and ponds. The park also offers many trails, including loop hiking and interpretive trails plus access to the Paseo del Bosque multiuse trail.
Open Space Visitor Center
The City of Albuquerque visitor center has exhibits interpreting the natural and cultural resources the Open Space Division protects. Rotating exhibits feature local artists highlighting New Mexico landscapes. Spacious indoor and outdoor bird viewing areas allow visitors to watch sandhill cranes, Canada geese and other migratory birds during the fall and winter.
A short walk leads to an agricultural demonstration garden that shows off different farming methods and the foods that were collected and cultivated in New Mexico. A longer walk goes to the LAND/ART exhibition pieces in place since 2009.
Learn more here:
Great Natural Areas to Visit this Winter for Respite and Inspiration
Great Natural Areas to Visit this Spring for Respite and Inspiration
