Gallinas River Park
In 2016 Hermit’s Peak Watershed Alliance teamed up with the (then) Las Vegas-San Miguel Economic Development Corporation to spearhead the revitalization of the Gallinas River Park in downtown Las Vegas. A group of collaborators was formed consisting of many businesses, government entities, and community organizations to begin transforming the Gallinas River Park from an underused and abused park into the centerpiece of our town. The vision was for it to be a natural refuge and recreation resource that honors local river heritage while supporting a healthy river ecosystem and a vibrant community.

Since then, significant work has been done to realize this dream to the credit of the many players that have been involved. This significant project, estimated at $6.5 million, will take a collaborative effort by many Las Vegas organizations and people. Now, the Friends of the Gallinas River Park, a program of the Hermit’s Peak Watershed Alliance working closely with the City of Las Vegas, continues to coordinate and facilitate the revitalization of the Gallinas River Park and its long-term management and maintenance.

Gallinas River
The Gallinas River, also known as Rio Gallinas, is a river in northern New Mexico that flows into the Pecos River. The Gallinas River originates as Gallinas Creek in the Santa Fe National Forest, with headwaters near Elk Mountain, flowing generally northeast to southwest through San Miguel County. It passes the northern base of Johnson Mesa before exiting the national forest west of the E.V. Long Campground hotspot. The city of Las Vegas protects the creek directly upstream of the Montezuma Skating Pond in order to provide drinking water for the residents. Las Vegas has developed a park along the creek through the city, although flow is reduced due to water being diverted above the city to Storrie Reservoir, from where irrigation water is released, eventually passing into Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge. Water that leaks under the Storrie Reservoir dam flows down Arroyo Pecos, rejoining the creek southeast of the city, forming the Gallinas River, the western boundary of the wildlife refuge. The Gallinas River was listed as one of America's most endangered rivers in 2023 by American Rivers, a conservation organization.