El Rancho de Las Golondrinas Receives Funding for ADA-Accessible Trail System

EL RANCHO de las Golondrinas, New Mexico’s premier living history museum, was chosen this year as one of 19 projects to receive funding through the state Economic Development Department’s Outdoor Recreation Trails+ grant program.

The museum, off Interstate 25 south of Santa Fe, was awarded $50,000 to support an expanded ADA-accessible trail system throughout the historic museum property. A re-envisioned and expanded wayfinding system utilizing universal symbols and Spanish translation will be implemented throughout the trail networks.

The clearer navigation will ensure more equitable access to the site, which is dedicated to the history, heritage, and culture of 18th- and 19th-century New Mexico. Visitors can see 34 original colonial buildings set on 200 historic acres of a rural farming valley enjoyed by sheep, goats, and burros. Live re-enactments show how people lived on the frontier in early New Mexico, and special festivals and weekend events provide an in-depth look into the celebrations, music, and dance that existed during the Spanish, Mexican, and Territorial periods of the Southwest.

Project design and surveying of the property will begin this year, with a groundbreaking to follow. Since the funding must be matched by the museum, El Rancho de las Golondrinas is seeking donors to contribute to the project.

“Las Golondrinas is very grateful for receiving this grant. Coming off of our 50th anniversary we are excited to be laying the groundwork for the next 50 years at Las Golondrinas. It is especially important to us to begin a project focused on visitor experience, safety and ADA accessibility,” museum director Daniel Goodman said in a news release.

The Outdoor Recreations Trails+ grant seeks to enhance economic development, prosperity and wellness for New Mexicans and tourists through projects including outdoor classrooms, river walks, and trail accessibility.

To donate to the museum or to find dates of special events, visit https://golondrinas.

org/. Donations can also be made on site. El Rancho de las Golondrinas is open for self-guided tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, June 1 through October. For private tours, call (505) 471-2261 ext. 101.