Virtual Public Meeting | Chaparral Trail Project

This virtual public meeting held by the Doña Ana County Government on August 7, 2026, focused on the design phase of the McComes and Empire Road multi-use trail projects in Chaparral, New Mexico. The project aims to expand the existing pedestrian trail network by adding over 2.5 miles of new trail and improving over half a mile of existing trail, funded primarily through a federal grant covering 85% of design costs with the county covering the remaining 15%. Community input was gathered on design preferences including maintenance, lighting, landscaping, and water conservation, influencing design alternatives such as limited vehicle-scale lighting at intersections and drought-tolerant landscaping. The meeting also included updates on related local infrastructure projects, including a $1 million food pantry kitchen renovation and potential improvements at the Chaparral Fire Station and Dolores Wright Community Center, with ongoing efforts to secure funding and plan construction timelines.