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Kiwanis Club of Albuquerque
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 1, 2009 Contact: Eric Shelton (505) 881-1013 Email: eric@sheltonjewelers.com
Imagine the Rio Grande as it flows through Albuquerque being transformed into a recreational attraction for locals and tourists alike. That’s what is envisioned by the Kiwanis Club of Albuquerque, which visualizes a future in which the Rio Grande is transformed into a more people-friendly, accessible recreational environment. “What can we do to improve recreational opportunities along the river? There are a myriad of ways we could better utilize this wonderful resource.” said Eric Shelton, 2008-2009 Albuquerque Club President. “What if Albuquerque developed a Riverwalk as successful as San Antionio’s – or found a way to create lakes for boating and swimming areas? Imagine the possibilities.” The project would begin with the creation of architectural depictions of what the riverfront could be in both the near and distant future. Shelton has offered to donate funding to the Kiwanis Club’s Foundation, earmarked for scholarships for architecture students who design viable, ecologically compatible plans to support this vision. “We might begin with a plan to clean and redesign the Bosque to make it more accessible and desirable for people’s use,” said Shelton. “In the long term, we’d like to look at ways to create a riverwalk, recreational opportunities along the river, and even lakes for boating and fishing.” Federal, state and municipal agencies have indicated that there would be many difficulties with river and riverfront development, arising from legal, hydrological and ecological considerations. But Shelton believes that a concerted effort by civic groups, community organizations and governmental agencies can address these issues and result in a viable plan. “It is the Club’s hope,” Shelton said, “to see the project through to completion, creating a legacy of local opportunities for our young people while enhancing tourism and giving local folks a reason for greater pride in their community. After all, it is Kiwanis’ stated mission to ‘change the world one child and one community at a time.’ ” # # #
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Rio Grande River Project |
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