In conjunction with a visit to announce tourism visitation numbers, Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Latham joined the Ruidoso Valley Greeters and Mayor Battin at Two Rivers Park in Ruidoso last Thursday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the beautification and fishing enhancements that the site underwent as a result of the department's tourism development grant.
The Two Rivers project aligns with the New Mexico True brand-promise to deliver "Adventure steeped in culture" by providing an outdoor recreation experience in a natural, authentic setting. This enhancement to an already popular public park will increase visitation from young families, outdoor enthusiasts, fishermen, and trail walkers by providing safer access to a much more ecologically-sound outdoor attraction.
Our Visitor Centers, Tourism Offices, and Parks & Recreation Department report that on a daily basis we receive inquiries about places to fish in Ruidoso. While we have fishing opportunities at Grindstone, Alto and Mescalero Lakes, Two Rivers Park is the only locale that provides a cool and shady, "fish-friendly," fishing spot. Thanks to the improvements supported by the New Mexico Tourism Department, the fish have already started to migrate to the underside the newly installed boulders and tree stumps along the riverbank.
The total expense of this project was $116,619.90. The Village of Ruidoso contracted with Cooperative Education Services to undertake and complete this project. Funds were expended on coordination and construction of the project, including:
- River bank protection
- Fish habitat installation
- Installation of stone steps at three locations
- Shoreline rock landscaping
- Native plant seed distribution along river banks for erosion control
This project has not only beautified one of Ruidoso's most popular parks, it has provided safer accessibility for river users, fish habitats that will increase fishing opportunities on the Rio Ruidoso and sustainable erosion control on the river banks.