City leaders, community members and land grant representatives gathered to celebrate the official opening of the Route 66 Open Space Trailhead — a long-awaited project that links Albuquerque’s cultural history with greater public access to nature and the East Mountains.
“This one is a long time in the making, going back to 2010, but is now finally officially opening,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We’ve been talking about this ever since I started, ever since I was a state legislator.”
The new trailhead provides access to more than five miles of trails and includes equestrian parking, shaded picnic areas and interpretive signage.
It also functions as the western gateway to the Tijeras Creek Cultural Corridor, a regional initiative connecting historic sites between Albuquerque and the Village of Tijeras.
Keller spoke about the personal and historical significance of the site, recalling it as the former location of Beavertown, a short-lived roadside amusement park.
“Let’s just be honest — Beavertown is legendary for anyone born from 1968 to 1985. But we want this space to be for all generations,” he said.
The intention was to transform this site into a nature and reflection destination for New Mexicans.
The trailhead’s launch was intentionally timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Route 66, which will be celebrated in just a few weeks.
“The timing is so important and so powerful,” Keller said. “This is going to be here for the Route 66 anniversary and be open to everyone who comes.”
Among the many speakers was Colleen McRoberts, superintendent of Albuquerque’s Open Space Division, who highlighted the extensive teamwork behind the project.
“It took a lot of work and wonderful collaborations to get here,” she said. “It truly took a community to make all this happen, and it is here to serve our community.”
She also noted that the cultural corridor initiative required cooperation beyond city limits.
“We couldn’t just do that with only the areas the city manages. It needed to be a multi-jurisdictional initiative,” she said, citing partnerships with Bernalillo County, the Cañón de Carnué Land Grant and the Village of Tijeras.
City Councilor Renee Grout, representing the area and providing over $200,000 in funding, commended the accessibility of the new trail network.
“This network of trails is great for anyone of any hiking ability. It doesn’t matter what your abilities are — everybody can enjoy it,” she said. “Once you get to the trailhead, you’re in a different place.”
Grout also encouraged the community to take an active role in caring for the space, especially now during fire season.
“Having people out there enjoying open space actually puts extra eyes on the area,” she said. “We’ve got to take care of it. It’s up to all of us to do that.”
She advised the community to call 311 in case of fire or smoke, and to call 242-COPS if something inappropriate is happening or if “somebody’s not doing something they should.”
Dave Simon, director of Parks and Recreation, noted the seven-figure site’s evolution into an important destination for both recreation and cultural engagement.
“From this sort of short-lived roadside attraction, to this vibrant open space destination, this site’s really undergone a thoughtful transition and transformation that could not have happened with all of these good people sharing a common vision and putting a lot of energy,” he said.
“It reflects years of vision and collaboration and respect for the land, but you know, it does mean trails also with a capital T,” he added.
The city now owns 617 contiguous acres of open space accessible from the trailhead, and over 800 acres in the broader Tijeras Arroyo BioZone.
Plans are underway to expand the trail network to 8 to 10 miles in the area.
“Right now, this Route 66 Trailhead represents a portal — a doorway to a phenomenal trail system,” Simon said. “It’s often said about the Mother Road, ‘you get your kicks on Route 66.’ Well, starting today, you can get your hikes on Route 66.”
The event concluded with a ribbon cutting and guided tour of the area, now open to the public and maintained by the City of Albuquerque’s Open Space Division.
For more information about the Route 66 Open Space, the Tijeras Creek Cultural Corridor and a full calendar of events for summer 2025, visit cabq.gov/openspace.