West Mesa Open Space
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Much of the open space acquired around the volcanoes, on the mesa top, and along the volcanic escarpment was included within Petroglyph National Monument in 1990. However, large tracts adjacent to the Monument remain under the sole management of the City. The 4,200 acre parcel of land is predominantly north and east of the volcanoes and preserves vast expanses of mesa-top lava flows, small volcanic features, archaeological sites, arroyo courses and wide vistas.
The Mesa Grasslands Preserve consists of over 3,800 acres west of the volcanoes in the Rio Puerco Valley. This area provides valuable habitat for certain plant and wildlife including an open range for herds of pronghorn antelope
Areas
The West Mesa Open Space contains the following areas:
- Petroglyph National Monument contains a number of areas of cultural and geologic importance.
- Piedras Marcadas Canyon provides trails to ancient petroglyphs.
- Boca Negra Canyon has three trails leading to ancient petroglyphs.
- Rinconada Canyon has a 1.3 mile trail leading to ancient petroglyphs.
- Volcanoes - the remains of five extinct volcanic cores.
- Grasslands Preserve is undeveloped and closed to the public.
- Shooting Range State Park is a fee area for target shooting.
- Boca Negra Horseman's Complex
- George J. Maloof Memorial Air Park