NM State Park Expanded by 380 Acres

Guadalupita, NM, 10/20/04 – The Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit land conservation organization, announced today the successful addition of over 380 acres of land to Coyote Creek State Park in Mora County, New Mexico. The land, which will increase the park to nearly five times its original size, was the number one acquisition priority for the State Parks Division of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department.

The project marks the first state park expansion in 18 years and is the first such acquisition under Governor Richardson’s proactive program to expand existing state parks and establish new parks. Governor Richardson will be at the park on Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the completion of the project with state and local representatives, community members, and TPL staff.

“We are very happy to have helped accomplish this important park expansion,” said Deb Love, the Trust for Public Land’s New Mexico State Director. “Visitors to the park will now have expanded opportunities to hike and fish in this beautiful area of Mora County. We are grateful to Governor Richardson and the state legislators for investing in New Mexico’s park system.”

Situated in the eastern foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, 17 miles north of Mora in northern New Mexico, the newly expanded Coyote Creek State Park spans from picturesque riparian meadows to sweeping valley views atop Le Febres Mesa. Coyote Creek has the most densely stocked waters in New Mexico, regularly supplied with rainbow trout. In addition to the park’s camping and picnicking amenities, the hiking trail that encircles the park offers a spectacular variety of native vegetation and wildflowers. The park and surrounding area are also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, elk, bear, turkey, beaver, skunks, and coyote.

“Our main objective is to protect the park from incompatible development,” said State Parks Director Dave Simon. “The new land mainly will be a buffer zone to retain the park’s pristine mountain atmosphere. However, the new property’s thick forest and abundant wildlife make it very suitable for hiking and nature trails.”

The Trust for Public Land is a national nonprofit land conservation organization dedicated to preserving land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens, and natural areas, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. TPL works with local, state, and federal agencies and grassroots community groups to protect open space nationwide. Since it’s founding in 1972, TPL has protected more than 1.9 million acres of land in 46 states. The Trust for Public Land depends on the support and generosity of individuals, foundations, and businesses to achieve our land for people mission. For more information, please visit us on the web at www.tpl.org.