Parks and Recreation Board Meeting – September 10, 2026

The Los Alamos County Parks and Recreation Board met on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 5:30 PM in Room 110 of 1000 Central Avenue. The meeting was chaired by Brian Watkins. Four members were present (Jerry Cowan, Brian Watkins, Paula Knepper, George Marsden), one absent (Jacob AlderseBaes), and two attended remotely (David Bowman, Jasmine Stephens). The agenda included public comments, approval of minutes, a working group structure discussion, a presentation and vote on the LA Mesa Trail rehabilitation project, a presentation on the North Mesa Picnic Grounds final concept, and a fiscal year 2026 year-end presentation. Councilor Cull provided updates on County Council actions.

Consent Calendar

• The meeting minutes from August 13, 2026, were approved with a 5-0 vote (George Marsden abstained).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Joe Granville, Vice President of the Los Alamos Youth Soccer League, spoke on behalf of over 900 youth athletes registered in local sports leagues (soccer, baseball/softball, lacrosse). He requested that the county include field line painting in its maintenance responsibilities. He noted that coaches currently invest hundreds of volunteer hours annually painting fields, with a single soccer field requiring 6–8 hours. He cited benefits such as player development, safety, fair play, and economic development through tournament attraction. He reported that a petition in support has gathered over 200 signatures and that robotic line-painting machines can complete a field in 30 minutes.
• Lisa Reader addressed two topics: first, she celebrated local equestrians Joanna Casson and Donna Hayden, who competed at the 2026 American Eventing Championships in Lexington, Kentucky, and expressed thanks to the county for stables support. Second, she requested the board to ask the County Council to pursue action against feral cattle from the Santa Fe National Forest and Pueblos, noting that 235 cattle have been removed at a cost of $300,000, but the problem persists, affecting trails, roads, the cemetery, golf course, and residential yards.

Discussion Items

• Working Group Discussion (Item 22119-26): Chair Watkins and Vice Chair Cowan led a discussion on the PRB Advisory Request Form, which could have added formality to working group task assignments. Members debated whether the form would create unnecessary bureaucracy and discourage community participation. Some noted that open-ended working groups (e.g., Open Space, Equestrian) need flexibility. Others argued that a simple record-keeping form could help track tasks without limiting scope. The board decided not to adopt the form at this time, agreeing to use existing mechanisms (chairman's report, working group updates) to document assignments. The possibility of using the form for new working group proposals only was suggested for future consideration.
• LA Mesa Project (Item 22118-26): Eric Peterson, Open Space Specialist, presented the planned rehabilitation of the LA Mesa Trail to meet ADA accessibility standards. The project includes widening a switchback, adding safety guardrails, and tying into the assisted living area. The total project estimate is $1.2 million for asphalt or $1.9 million for concrete (bid alternate). The project is already budgeted. Member David Bowman raised concerns about the lack of detailed plans (budget, timeline, phasing) for the board to approve. Staff clarified that the board was only being asked to support the design concept and authorize staff to proceed with next steps toward construction documents, which would later come to council. Member George Marsden moved that "the board support the staff to proceed with the next procedural steps to implement the LA Mesa plan." The motion passed unanimously (6-0, with all present and remote members voting yes). Lisa Reader and others expressed strong support, noting the benefit for mobility-impaired residents and requesting improved connectivity to Canyon Rim Trail.
• North Mesa Picnic Grounds (Item 22117-26): Karina Rodgers and Bob Oberdorfer of Site Southwest presented the final concept design, developed from two listening sessions, a community workshop, and an open house with over 110 survey responses. Key community priorities include preserving natural character, improving disc golf, ADA accessibility, playground upgrades, new picnic shelters, restrooms, shade, and trash facilities, and improved circulation. The final concept keeps all three entrances, includes a nature play area, a new group shelter, an ADA disc golf loop, rehabilitation of the existing path, and a potential equestrian trail connection toward Bio Canyon. No cost estimate or phasing was presented; the presentation sought general consensus approval to move forward. Discussion emphasized the need to coordinate equestrian trail connectivity between this plan and the Bio Canyon Trailhead project, which is being designed separately. The board agreed that working groups should help close the physical gap, but no formal motion was made.
• Year-End Presentation (Item 22125-26): Chelsea Ashcraft presented the Fiscal Year 2026 Parks and Recreation Board Year-End Presentation, summarizing accomplishments across community services. Highlights included: completion of the North Mesa Recreation Master Plan, progress on the bike park (council increased budget), Guaje Pines Cemetery Master Plan approval, continued work on Urban Park and playground renovations, and the LA Mesa Trail rehabilitation. Staff reported 184 documented vandalism incidents over four years, staffing shortages, and rising social services intakes. The presentation also noted the addition of 25 certified forest therapy guides, expansion of adaptive swim lessons, and the first annual New Mexico Forest Bathing Day on September 19. Parks staff reported that the robotic mower fleet logged 141 hours since August 2025, covering about 180 miles, saving six hours per week.
• Staff Report (Item 22123-26): Katherine Hudspeth and Wendy Parker provided updates: the fall activity guide is out; the golf course grand reopening is September 12; the horse show had 16 participants; the Trans Rocky Mountain Bike Event is September 19 at Ashley Pond. On the parks side: two sections of Spirio Field are open (center section remains closed due to irrigation issues); Brewer Arena construction is underway with restrooms complete and the crows nest being demolished; Urban Park survey open through September 25; Bio Canyon Trailhead 2 surveys posted; Canyon Road medians templates received transportation board support; and the Demonstration Garden first meeting set for September 14.
• Council Communications: Councilor Cull reported on recent County Council actions: approval of license plate reader discussions (ongoing), water line replacement funds, property tax rates for CY26, appointments to the inclusivity board, regional landfill study continuation, LEDA project approval for White Rock, gas service rate increase of ~11%, a seven-year contract for Friday night concerts, electrical coordination agreement with DOE, and three ballot questions for November (extending board terms to three years, removing political affiliations from some boards).

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved: August 13, 2026 meeting minutes approved 5-0 (Marsden abstained).
• LA Mesa Plan Support: Motion passed unanimously to support staff proceeding with next procedural steps to implement the LA Mesa Trail plan.
• Working Group Form Not Adopted: The board decided not to adopt the PRB Advisory Request Form at this time, instead using existing reporting methods.
• North Mesa Picnic Grounds: The final concept design received general board support for continued development; no formal vote taken. A follow-up on equestrian trail connectivity to Bio Canyon was noted as a task for working groups.
• Next Meeting: Previewed for October 8, 2026.