Community + Civic

A guide for trailblazers

Alameda Drain & Trail Master Plan

Albuquerque and Bernalillo County have a network of irrigation ditches and drainage facilities, known as acequias, that for centuries have pulled water from the Rio Grande to grow crops on farmland within the river valley. These historic channels presented an opportunity to create a network of trails.

Dekker Perich Sabatini was selected by Bernalillo County as part of a team to create a master plan for one of these channels - the Alameda Drain. The Alameda Drain and Trail Master Plan proposed a 9-mile, multi-use trail that would run parallel to the historic drainage channel, providing new recreational opportunities and a chance to celebrate the area's history of agriculture.

The master plan was the result of a collaborative, four-party agreement and partnership between the Public Works Division of Bernalillo County, Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, City of Albuquerque, and Albuquerque Metropolitan Area Flood Control Authority.

Dekker Perich Sabatini's role was to develop the overall trail concepts and associated amenities. Working with the various stakeholders, DPS generated multiple design solutions that kept the drainageway functional and to allow the public to access the corridor safely. In addition to the trail, the DPS project team also focused on measures to improve water quality, reduce erosion, and combat noxious weeds.

DPS has provided landscape architectural design services for two phases of trail construction totaling 3 miles and is currently designing the next 3 miles from Montano to Fourth Street. Amenities and green stormwater infrastructure features include gabion overlooks, chadar waterworks, bio retention swales and tree filtration structures.

Client
Bernalillo County

Location
Albuquerque, NM

Size
Acreage

Disciplines

Beyond the Building