New Mexico breaks ground on state park.

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and local and state officials broke ground Dec. 9, 2005, on Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park, New Mexico's 34th state park.

"It's taken nearly three decades of hard work by numerous public agencies and non-profits, as well as the local community;' said State Senator Mary Kay Papen on efforts for the opening of the park to be realized.

The park is comprised of about 400 acres of lands from a Joint Powers Agreement, a long-term recreational lease, an acquisition from the Trust for Public Lands and a conservation easement. "It's a true partnership park," said Dave Simon, New Mexico State Parks Director.

Future plans include an additional 700-acre addition, overlooking the Rio Grande River.

The park has $2.8 million in federal funds for the first phases of the park's development. The master plan calls for the maintenance and expansion of wetlands, walking trails, Bosque restoration and a number of educational programs.

A visitor and nature education center will include interpretive exhibits, classroom areas, an amphitheater, gift shop and park offices. Trails from the visitor's center will lead to the river, Bosque and farm fields.

The first major work on the park began on Dec. 15, 2005, which will upgrade the park access road along a river levee. This will allow workers to begin construction on the visitor's center, which is scheduled to open in the spring of 2007.