Category Archives: abqbosque

Is the bosque natural? #abqbosque

I was struck by the romantic naiveté of some bosque supporters. You hear this bosque is thousands of years old, that it is a wilderness. That view ignores the bike trail, the jetty jacks, the trash heaps, the graffiti, the homeless, the invasive species (including us). This wilderness view celebrates the ditches and ignores the dams, both of which have destroyed the natural seasons of the bosque.

I recently saw a great short film on birders in Central Park, NYC. That park is completely man-made and unnatural but a jewel nonetheless. We are lucky to have a place that really is remarkably close to being a wilderness in a city, but we need to recognize it won’t last without wise care. It won’t last without change — nothing in life does.

Have you hiked the bosque near the Rio Grande Nature Center? What do you think about that chainlink alley ending at a powerstation? Is that the proper entrance for a treasure? From there, you figure out which way to go on the dilapidated asphalt trail, cross a rustic bridge that ends in a railroad tie stairway or a steep trail preferred by cyclists. Speaking of cyclists, look both ways several times before taking your life in your hands and crossing to … well, where? Do you want to go through the jetty jacks or take your chances on the adjacent paved trail? Wander far enough and you’ll find the river, probably. Don’t worry. There’s hardly ever a fire or rape in the area.

My point is those of us who love the bosque overlook a lot of flaws to see what we want to see, which is wildlife, more than anything else. To be a part of nature. To stand in the middle of the largest city in New Mexico and feel like we’re alone in the woods. It’s a great feeling. Ironically, more people need to experience that, though doing so risks destroying the experience. How can everyone find solitude in a small space. How do we manage a wild space?

In the Albuquerque Bosque, there are three camps #abqbosque

One group wants vigorous change, development, construction, the kind of change that puts money in people’s pockets. This group is as relentless as termites.

Another group wants NO CHANGES AT ALL. I sympathize with these people and, therefore, try not to see the selfishness of that. For them, the bosque “works” (an objectionable word in this context) — they have what they want and fear losing that.

More than likely, the third group is the largest and includes those who have never been into the bosque. This group’s apathy, indifference, and ignorance, has to change. Some of these people need to choose another group. I recommend you start at Alameda, cross under the road and head northwest toward the river.

Rio Grande Valley State Park — City of Albuquerque

Established by the State Legislature in 1983, this Park is managed cooperatively by the Open Space Division and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD). The 4,300-acre park extends from Sandia Pueblo in the north through Albuquerque and south to Isleta Pueblo.

The Rio Grande bosque offers a unique environment in arid Albuquerque. Large cottonwood trees, coyote willow, and New Mexico olive create a cool, shady forest and provide habitat for beaver, numerous bird species, turtles, and snakes.

Recreation

Low-impact recreation such as hiking, bicycling, mountain biking, in-line skating, boating (see access points at the bottom of this page), and horseback riding are allowed on the Paseo del Bosque paved trail or the natural surface trail beneath the cottonwood trees. The Paseo del Bosque trail is approximately 16 miles in length from Alameda Blvd. to Rio Bravo Blvd. and runs along the east side of the river. Natural surface trails run along both sides of the river intermittently and a myriad of unmarked trails wind throughout the bosque.

The Rio Grande Valley State Park Trail MapAbout PDF Files provides a guide to access points in the park system.

Hours of Operation

April – October: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
November – March: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Rio Grande Valley State Park — City of Albuquerque