Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Rail Trail?

The ABQ Rail Trail is a planned 7-mile walking and biking loop around greater Downtown. When complete, it will connect to the Bosque Trail at the National Hispanic Cultural Center and the Botanic Garden. The goal is to make it easier and safer for people to walk, bike, visit businesses, and experience Albuquerque’s historic neighborhoods. Each segment is being designed to reflect the character and history of the area it passes through. A short section in Sawmill opened in 2025, west of 19th Street near the Albuquerque Museum and the Mountain Road roundabout.

Why is the City doing this?

Because Albuquerque deserves nice things! We are already known as a great city for recreation. We have great weather, the Bosque, and interesting historic neighborhoods. We also have a lot of rail right-of-way that is not utilized for anything and that has bisected our city for a century. Separated trails help to improve safety and give people another means of getting around—important downtown, where many people do not have regular access to a car. The planned landscaping will decrease the urban heat island effect downtown.

Is there evidence that urban trails help cities?

Yes! There is ample evidence that this sort of public-private investment helps investments in housing, new business creation and expansion, and attracts large numbers of visitors. Many cities and towns have installed similar linear parks and trail systems. City staff have visited trails in communities large and small as part of its research, including:

•         Atlanta, GA: Beltway

•         Austin, TX: Boardwalk Trail

•         Chicago, IL: The 606

•         Dallas, TX: Katy Trail

•         Denver, CO: South Platte River Trail

•         New York City, NY: High Line

•         Indianapolis, IN: Indianapolis Cultural Trail

•         Traverse City MI: Traverse Area Recreation Trail (TART)

In every single place where these multi-use linear parks have been constructed, communities see a large uptick in investments—cities like Indianapolis, Atlanta, and Dallas have seen job growth in the thousands and additional economic investment of over a billion additional dollars.

The lesson from those places is that trails work best when they are well-designed, well-maintained, and shaped with community input. That is the goal for Albuquerque’s Rail Trail.

General

What studies exist showing whether urban trails increase or reduce crime?

There are many studies that demonstrate that urban trails reduce crime and none that we have found that show the opposite. Here are some sample studies that address that issue:

What is the plan for preventing drug activity, encampments, vandalism, or after-hours loitering?

The trail will be managed like a City park or linear open space, with roles for Parks and Recreation, the Albuquerque Police Department, Albuquerque Community Safety, and Solid Waste. The City will use maintenance, patrol coordination, lighting, reporting through 311, and community partnerships to respond quickly to concerns. The open segment of the Rail Trail in Sawmill has seen no instances encampments, vandalism, or loitering since opening in 2025. We heard similar concerns about this stretch of trail and they have not been borne out.

Will there be fencing, lighting, cameras, patrols, or gates?

Yes! The project is expected to include appropriate safety and privacy features such as fencing, lighting, possible cameras, patrol coordination, and gates where needed. The final details will be shaped through design, City policy, funding, and feedback from neighbors.

Which agency will provide law enforcement support—Albuquerque Police Department, parks, private security?

The Albuquerque Police Department and Parks and Recreation will support the area, with Albuquerque Community Safety and Solid Waste assisting when appropriate. Over time, community partners such as Friends of the Rail Trail or a future Rail Trail-area Business Improvement District may also help with added maintenance, ambassador-style support, or security resources.

What measures prevent the trail from becoming a gathering point for encampments?

Camping is not allowed in City parks or open spaces. The City will use regular maintenance, patrol coordination, lighting, and 311 reporting to identify and respond to concerns. If an encampment is reported, the City can coordinate through Solid Waste and appropriate outreach or safety teams to address it.

Safety and Crime

Will neighborhood streets become cut-through traffic?

The project is a walking and biking trail, not a new road, so it is not expected to create cut-through vehicle traffic. The goal is to give people a safer option to move through the neighborhood on foot or by bike, not to bring more cars onto neighborhood streets.

Where will parking occur?

Because this is primarily a walking and biking trail, the City does not expect it to create a major new parking demand in the neighborhood. People who drive to access the area are more likely to use existing parking near Old Town, the BioPark, Tingley Beach, the National Hispanic Cultural Center, or other Bosque Trail access points.

Traffic and Parking

Who maintains the landscaping?

Parks and Recreation will maintain the landscaping as part of the City’s parks and open space system. The City also expects community partners, such as the Neighborhood Association and Friends of the Rail Trail, may help with volunteer cleanups and stewardship opportunities.

How quickly will graffiti or hazards be removed?

Graffiti and hazards will be addressed daily. The area is expected to receive regular attention from Parks and Solid Waste. Residents can help by reporting graffiti, damage, or hazards through 311 or the 311 app.

Is there dedicated funding or is maintenance dependent on future budgets?

Like all City parks and public spaces, ongoing maintenance is funded through the City’s annual budget process. The Rail Trail is being planned as a long-term public asset, and the City will continue working with departments, elected officials, neighborhood partners, and community groups to keep it clean, safe, and welcoming.

Maintenance and Accountability

What is the total project cost?

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How much is federal versus city funding?

No federal funding is currently being used for this project. The project includes $1 million in state funding, with the remaining costs expected to come from local funding sources.

Could money allocated to this project be used instead for roads, drainage, police, or existing infrastructure?

No. The funding identified for this project is dedicated to outdoor recreation and public amenities, which means it cannot simply be redirected to roads, drainage, police, or other unrelated needs. The State Outdoor Recreation Division grant, for example, is specifically intended to help create places that encourage people to get outside.

Financial