Consensus Planning was engaged by the New Mexico State Parks Division to update the Eagle Nest Lake State Park Management Plan and create the Eagle Nest Lake State Park Master Plan. The Management Plan is intended to guide State Parks on the management and development of the Park over a five year period. The planning process included thoughtful evaluation from multiple perspectives so that future actions balance the need for recreational opportunities and the protection of park resources. The Management Plan describes and provides assessments of existing conditions at the Park and recommendations for management of Park resources. Stakeholder input into the Management Plan came from State Parks staff, the Friends Group, and local RV park owners. Consensus Planning has completed the final draft of the Management Plan and will be holding a public meeting in September 2022.
The Eagle Nest Lake State Park Master Plan is the culmination of the planning and design effort that was initiated in March 2022 by State Parks. State Parks first engaged with Consensus Planning in December 2021 to update the Management Plan for the Park, and subsequently, to create a Master Plan that addressed the recommendations identified in the Management Plan.
The overarching goal of the Master Plan is to help ensure the recreational and conservation needs of the Park users are met through a series of improvements that will increase the usability of the Park. The Master Plan provides cost estimates for the improvements, which specify those improvements that will be covered under the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant and the costs associated with future improvements that will be dependent on available funding in the future. The Master Plan provides a conceptual level of design for the following:
- Improvements to the existing campground that include the creation of two host sites and two handicapped accessible campsites, a new comfort station and associated drain field, and extension of electrical service to the existing campsites;
- A future campground that includes up to 38 additional campsites, a social gathering area, vault toilets, and a pathway from the campground to the Lake;
- A future day use area with parking, shade/picnic table structures, and a vault toilet;
- Improvements to the existing day use parking areas and access roads;
- Improvements to the existing maintenance yard that include the equipment storage building, a new water treatment system, and the addition of a small storage building for use by the Friends Group;
- Future staff housing, access road from NM 64, and associated infrastructure improvements; and
- Grading and drainage improvements to parking areas and roadways, where necessary.
Services: Facility Planning, Master Planning, Conceptual Design
Client: Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) State Parks Division