Army Corps of Engineers Proposal for Unique El Paso Wetlands Park Under Review

Up to $12 million may be spent in an effort to enhance the Rio Bosque Wetlands Park in southeast El Paso.

That, anyway, is a recommendation drawn from a feasibility study conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers looking at the restorative possibilities of the historic wetlands.

The Corps study has also recommended that at least $80,000 of the $12 million should be devoted to building recreational features in the park, which is located at 10716 Socorro Road.

Those recreational features would include the construction of a trail shelter, interpretative signage, and improvements to already-existing access to the park, and trails within its borders.

Restoration efforts in the 372-acre park will additionally entail enhancing an existing 55 acres of seasonal wetlands, with the goal of making them wet year-around; and creating 1.4 acres of new emergent wetlands.

A proposal has also been made for restoring 45 acres of cottonwood-willow riparian habitat; and improving the park’s water delivery infrastructure.
​
An exact timetable for when work on the park may begin has yet to be announced, pending the securing of federal funds.

By Garry Boulard

---