First segment of ABQ Rail Trail now open

The first segment of the Albuquerque Rail trail opened to the public on Oct. 25, welcoming visitors to the trail which connects the Sawmill District to Tiguex Park. The following weekend, the Rail Trail was filled with dogs in costume for the inaugural “Howl-a-Day of the Dog” pet parade on Nov. 1.

Albuquerque lost $11.5 million in federal grant money for the Rail Trail, which prompted the city to file a lawsuit against the Trump Administration on Oct. 31, arguing that the grant was withdrawn “abruptly and without significant justification,” Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Operations Manager Sarah Supple wrote in a statement to the Daily Lobo. 

The city will continue to invest in the Rail Trail through local and state partnerships as the legal process moves forward, with the Central Crossing segment still on track to open next year, Supple wrote.

To be a public art consultant for the Rail Trail, the city hired University of New Mexico School of Architecture and Planning lecturer joni m palmer. Palmer authored the ABQ Rail Trail Public Art Framework Plan, and said that public art along the trail will be installed over time and blend permanent and temporary projects. 

“Artists will be creating works that will start a conversation, and that is, to me, one of the most important things that public art does, is it creates the opportunity for dialogue,” palmer said. “Whether you like the piece or you don't like the piece, you can get people talking about what's happening in public spaces and asking questions.” 

Palmer said that community outreach and engagement will be critical for public art projects on the trail, and that many of the artists will be community members who will be given the opportunity to “practice their craft.” 

“The artists will be engaging with communities, as well as the city, to make sure that they balance the interests of not only the city, but also with the neighborhoods so that that art reflects the city and the individual neighborhoods that (the Rail Trail) is moving through,” palmer said.

Palmer said that the greatest challenge she anticipates is potential gentrification of the areas surrounding the trail.

“I think it's also an opportunity for the city to have very transparent, consistent, and continued conversations with neighborhoods about gentrification,” palmer said. “There's always going to be drawbacks, but we can turn it into an opportunity to engage communities in really significant ways.”

Palmer hosts the “Take Another Look” podcast, presented by the City of Albuquerque Public Art Urban Enhancement Division and Department of Arts and Culture, where she talks with artists and public art professionals, including artists involved with internet of things — a collaboration with CNM on art infused technology that could potentially be integrated in the trail’s public art, she said.

“The city public art program worked with (CNM) to develop a boot camp for artists to learn about digital public art works,” palmer said. “The artists who then will potentially be creating artwork on the rail trail will be a celebration of CNM.”

The first quarter mile of the Rail Trail includes native trees, plants, stone benches and blue emergency poles along the trail, with the former train tracks remaining accessible. 

“The Rail Trail will have lasting benefits for Albuquerque, creating new opportunities for recreation, tourism and economic growth while improving connectivity between key destinations. It’s part of a larger national movement to view trails as engines for growth, much like the Indianapolis Cultural Trail or Atlanta Beltline,” Supple wrote. 

Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06

Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on X @paloma_chapa88

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