The grand opening of the Tijeras Education Center Sensory Trail—a fully compliant trail under the Americans with Disabilities Act designed to be inclusive, immersive and educational—drew a lively crowd Tuesday of nature lovers, curious kids and community trail-blazers, all ready for a few surprises along the path.
City officials, partners and community members gathered to inaugurate this one-of-a-kind trail, located at 15600 Central SE in the Tijeras Arroyo Bio-Zone.
The outdoor pathway is part of a larger initiative to improve access to nature along the Tijeras Creek Cultural Corridor, which has gained momentum in recent weeks with support from Mayor Tim Keller, Councilor Renee Grout, Parks and Recreation Director Dave Simon and other local officials.
The celebration was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and guided tours for the attendees who were ready for the immersive experience.
The trail was developed by the City of Albuquerque’s Open Space Division in collaboration with CIUDAD Soil and Water Conservation District, Heroes Path Palliative Care, Nature Matters Academy and a host of community volunteers and advocates.
“We were taking our kids out into nature through the Outdoor Equity Fund and we were noticing that they weren’t actually able to get deep into nature, without running into sandy areas, you know, blocked off areas, spaces that wheelchairs just couldn’t access,” shared Theresa Aragon of Heroes Path. “So it started just needing more access for those kiddos.”
Aragon mentions that this trail goes beyond ADA standards; it has become a place where everyone can fully experience nature, not just access it.
“It’s a path where people with disabilities can feel truly welcomed into natural spaces, and that’s why it matters because nature was meant for everybody,” she said.
There aren’t many accessible nature trails in New Mexico, but that is slowly changing. According to the Parks and Recreation Department, there are currently six Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant trails in Albuquerque.
With that in mind, the Tijeras Arroyo Bio-Zone Education Center features a variety of sensory and educational stations, including tactile exhibits, Braille signage, steel sculptures and elevated interactive challenges.
The design is guided by the GEM framework—Grow, Engage, Make connections—developed by Nature Matters Academy, encouraging visitors to explore animal adaptations and make personal sensory connections with the natural world.
Aragon emphasized that the trail was shaped through direct input from families, occupational therapists, nurses and educators.
“On this, everyone’s voice has been heard,” she said.
Parks Director Dave Simon called the project a milestone in a years-long effort to turn the 25-acre Tijeras site into a model of inclusive outdoor education, recreation and conservation after its diverse history — once a feed store, honky-tonk and church — and said it is now being transformed into a space that celebrates nature and inclusivity.
“It’s a unique trail. There is nothing like this trail anywhere in the state at this level of accessibility for all. So it’s a tremendous point of pride, I think, for our city and our state to be investing in things like this,” he said.
He also took time during his speech to thank volunteer groups, including Volunteers for the Outdoors, Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, Youth Conservation Corps and 505 Cycling Group, emphasizing that contributions from volunteers, artists, nonprofits and youth corps brought the trail to life.
The site is also undergoing further development, including native habitat restoration, green stormwater infrastructure and planned enhancements such as a rehabilitated education building, outdoor learning spaces and nature-based play areas.
The entire site connects to approximately 800 acres of protected land along the Tijeras Arroyo, creating a unique natural corridor within city limits.
Funded in part by a $500,000 grant from the Outdoor Recreation Division, the project was matched by the city and Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District.
“We are not going to put a large neon sign out in front of this property, but this is now going to be a phenomenal new attraction on Route 66, the Mother Road. And as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66, we are now adding to that legacy with a phenomenal new spot to stay and learn and experience our community,” Simon said.
The sensory trail is now open to the public Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dogs are welcome on leashes, according to the Outdoor Recreation Division, which also introduced Otis as its official mascot.
Visitors can explore the trail at their own pace or take part in guided activities and educational tours.
For more information, visit the City of Albuquerque’s Tijeras Cultural Corridor page.