Phase One of Historic Project Nears Completion
Silver City -- As if by magic, the old Waterworks property has been transformed from abandoned and forlorn, to beautiful, vibrant and verdant, thanks to an abundance of hard work, creative vision and community support, much of it expressed through volunteer labor and donation of materials and equipment. Those volunteers will be honored September 20 from 11 am to 1 pm, the first community open house at the property, located immediately north of Jose Barrios Elementary School on Little Walnut Road. The public is invited to bring lunch, enjoy light refreshments and music, and tour the revitalized property.
Silver City Mayor Ken Ladner will open the celebration with a few remarks and a presentation of certificates of appreciation to dozens of volunteers, including Youth Conservation Corp (YCC) crew members, whose many hours of work have been invaluable, not only on the Waterworks grounds, but also in the major clearing, planting and hardscape improvements at the Silva Creek Nature Trail, which forms the western boundary of the Waterworks property, connecting it to Penny Park and town amenities.
"This open house celebrates the completion of the first phase of this incredible project, which includes beautiful, native landscaping and pollinator habitat," explained Mayor Ladner. " It's so rewarding to have reached this first milestone, and to see what this amazing community has created here. This is a tremendous example of what this community is capable of when it comes together with a united vision and purpose. I am so very proud to be part of this community."
The mayor also offered his appreciation to Lee Gruber, executive director of swnmACT, the Grant County nonprofit whose staff has been responsible for the development of the project, in collaboration with the Town of Silver City, which maintains ownership of the five-acre property, which was the town's first water source. And he credited Bridgette Johns, swnmACT project manager, and local youth and other volunteers who've "contributed countless hours and dedication to the realization of phase one."
Phase one entailed extensive cleanup of the property and landscaping - meaning lots of volunteer hours envisioning, designing and creating water catchment basins and swales, weeding, the removal of some 108 Siberian Elms and planting more than 100 native trees, grasses and wildflowers. More than 30 fruit trees and hundreds of pollinator-friendly native species were also planted, both at the Waterworks and along the Silva Creek Nature Trail, which also connects the property to Silva Creek Botanical Gardens, another local gem and collaborative effort between the town and a local non-profit; in this case, the Gila Native Plant Society, whose volunteers have developed and maintained the gardens, and turned this once weed-strewn town property into a haven of native, pollinator-friendly plants and medicinal gardens.
At the Waterworks site, also known as the "Rock House," adult volunteer hours total more than 1,000 to date, while YCC crew members have logged more than 3,000 hours, and area businesses and private donor contributions total more than $15,000. This massive landscaping effort was primarily funded by the continued support of the New Mexico Clean and Beautiful grant program, which has awarded nearly $36,000 to the project. YCC crews are now focusing their efforts on completing of the Silva Creek Trail from Highway 180 to Penny Park, a section which is expected to be completed in early 2025.
Several major infrastructure improvements are also complete, including the construction of an outdoor classroom pavilion, 12 shaded campsites, composting toilets, solar-powered showers, a communal kitchen for community use as well as Continental Divide Trail (CDT) trail users. Construction features natural building materials and techniques, with an emphasis on recycled materials, many of which were repurposed on-site.
A major focus of the project is as a layover or way station for CDT through hikers and cyclists, which creates economic development opportunities for Silver City, and is fueling much of the state's financial support via state tourism dollars. To date, the project has been awarded $2.5 million in grant funds, primarily from the Department of Tourism's Outdoor Recreation Department. CDT trail users and community members are expected to begin using the camping facilities as early as next spring, though details of such operations are still in the works.
The town also owns the four-acre property to the north, which will house a camp host, as well as a one-stop supply shop for hikers, cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts, as well as an internet café/coffeeshop, a small laundry facility for guests and nearby residents, a satellite bike rental shop and parking area. Recently swnmACT was given a green light to apply for grant funds to develop this phase of the project, which is expected to begin in the coming year.
Also, on the calendar for 2025 is the interior repair and remodeling of the Waterworks building itself, which will become a cultural heritage center, featuring exhibits and other opportunities for learning about the region's richly diverse peoples and history.
Parking is limited, so visitors to the community open house are asked to please walk to the site, or park along Virginia Street to the west, and cross the footbridge from Silva Creek Botanical Gardens to the Waterworks site. For more information, please contact Bridgette Johns, swnmACT project coordinator, at (575) 575-3969 or
