Editing El Paso, Texas (section)

==Parks and recreation==

El Paso is home to the largest urban park in the nation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/parks/Franklin.html |title=TEXAS STATE PARKS Natural Economic Assets |publisher=Window on State Government |year=2014 |access-date=February 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222153657/http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/parks/Franklin.html |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Franklin Mountains State Park]], with its more than {{convert|24248|acre|ha}}, is completely located within the city limits. It is considered a small range (23 miles long, {{convert|3|mi|km}} wide) that extends from the city north into [[New Mexico]].<ref>[[Charles R. Van Hise|Van Hise, C.R.]] and [[Charles Kenneth Leith|Leith, C.K.]] 1909. Pre-Cambrian Geology of North America. United States Geological Survey, Bulletin 360, 939 pp. (See pp. 746–748)</ref> It is home to the highest peak in the county [[North Franklin Mountain]] at 7,192 feet.The park is open year-round for recreation including hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, scenic driving and views of the city. Scenic Drive runs along the mountain range,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ivey |first=Ed |date=1992-07-28 |title=Repair work to be done by September |pages=4 |work=[[El Paso Times]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99947048/repair-work-to-be-done-by-september/ |access-date=2022-04-17 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> and is designated as a [[city park]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Olvers |first=Joe |date=1988-04-17 |title=Crowd makes Scenic Drive less of a mess |pages=7 |work=[[El Paso Times]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99946948/crowd-makes-scenic-drive-less-of-a-mess/ |access-date=2022-04-17 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> to allow better [[vandalism]] control and cleanup,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pierce |first=Betty |date=1981-07-11 |title=Vandals leave their mark on Scenic Drive |pages=15 |work=[[El Paso Herald-Post]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99946810/vandals-leave-their-mark-on-scenic-drive/ |access-date=2022-04-17 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Martinez |first=Leonard |date=1999-09-17 |title=Trash makes spot where tourists go stinky, not scenic |pages=15 |work=[[El Paso Times]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99947165/trash-makes-spot-where-tourists-go-stink/ |access-date=2022-04-17 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> Roads are closed to vehicles on certain Sundays to allow walking, running, cycling, and skating.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-03-30 |title=City announces reopening of McKelligon Canyon roadway, Municipal Rose Garden; new hours for Scenic Sunday |work=[[El Paso Times]] |url=https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/local/el-paso/2022/03/30/el-paso-mckelligon-canyon-municipal-rose-garden-scenic-sunday-hours/7217607001/ |access-date=2022-04-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Chávez |first=Adriana M. |date=2008-03-31 |title=Scenic Sundays: El Pasoans are invited to enjoy overlook minus vehicles |pages=11 |work=[[El Paso Times]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99947245/scenic-sundays/ |access-date=2022-04-17 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> The road offers views of El Paso, as well as nearby [[Ciudad Juárez]], across the [[Mexico–United States border]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scenic Drive |url=http://www.elpasosouthwest.com/scenic-drive/info/psku4w |website=El Paso Southwest |publisher=Phidev |access-date=2022-04-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Scenic Drive (El Paso) |url=https://www.go-texas.com/Scenic-Drive-El-Paso/ |website=Go-Texas |publisher=The Go Travel Sites |access-date=2022-04-17}}</ref>
[[File:Wyler Aerial Tramway1.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Wyler Aerial Tramway]] in the [[Franklin Mountains (Texas)|Franklin Mountains]] is the only commercial tramway in the state of [[Texas]].]]
The [[Wyler Aerial Tramway]] is operated by the [[Texas Parks and Wildlife Department]] and is in the Franklin Mountains State Park. The tramway complex covers {{convert|196|acre|km2}} on the east side of the Franklin Mountains. The gondolas travel along two {{convert|2600|ft|m|adj=on}} {{frac|1|3|8}}-diameter steel cables to Ranger Peak, {{convert|5632|ft|m}} above sea level. The trip takes about four minutes and lifts riders {{convert|940|ft|m}} above the boarding area.The tramway was built in 1959 by [[KTSM-FM|KTSM]] radio to aid in the construction of a transmitter tower. Karl O. Wyler managed the project. First opening to the public as the El Paso Aerial Tramway, the facility provided rides from 1960 to 1986, when high liability insurance costs forced the tram to stop public operations. The tram was only used to service the transmitter towers. Wyler donated the tramway for public use in his will. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department accepted the donation in 1997 and renovated and re-opened the tramway to the public in 2001. The tramway was closed indefinitely on September 18, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/wyler-aerial-tramway |title= Wyler Tramyway | publisher=Texas Parks and Wildflife Division |date=December 16, 2020 |access-date= December 16, 2020}}</ref>
[[File:Hueco Tanks Bouldering.jpg|thumb|right|Bouldering on North Mountain at [[Hueco Tanks]]]]
[[Hueco Tanks State Historic Site]] is a Texas historic site in the [[Hueco Tanks]] area, approximately {{convert|32|mi}} northeast of downtown El Paso and just west of the [[Hueco Mountains]]. The park is popular for recreation such as birdwatching and bouldering, and is culturally and spiritually significant to many Native Americans. This significance is partially manifested in the [[pictographs]] (rock paintings) that can be found throughout the region, many of which are thousands of years old.<ref>Mulvihill, K. [http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/09/19/travel/escapes/19Pict.html "On Rock Walls, Painted Prayers to Rain Gods"], ''[[The New York Times]]''. September 19, 2008. Retrieved 9/19/08.</ref> Hueco Tanks is also widely regarded as one of the best areas in the world for [[bouldering]] ([[rock climbing]], low enough to attempt without ropes for protection), unique for its rock type, the concentration and quality of the climbing, and after which the [[Grade (bouldering)|Hueco bouldering grades]] are named. In any given climbing season, which generally lasts from October through March, it is common for climbers from across Europe, Asia, and Australia to visit the park. Since implementation of the Public Use Plan, following a brief closure of the entire park due to the park service's inability to manage the growing crowds of international climbers, volunteer or commercial guides are required to access more than 2/3 of the park's area. Only North Mountain is accessible without guides, and then only for about 70 people at any given time. The park offers camping and showers for a small fee a day or, as is most popular for climbers, the nearby Hueco Rock Ranch offers camping where climbers can relax and socialize.

Located in downtown El Paso, [[San Jacinto Plaza]] is a historical park notable for its alligator statues in the middle of the area. Known as "Alligator Plaza", it used to have a pond that held live alligators that the community can interact with starting in 1962. They were removed and relocated to the [[El Paso Zoo]] in 1974. The area around the park is typically used to hold major events such as "Chalk the Block Arts Festival"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chalktheblock.com/ |title= Chalk the Block | publisher=KVIA |date=December 16, 2020 |access-date= December 16, 2020}}</ref> and "Winterfest".

The [[Chamizal National Memorial]] is a 54.90-acre (22.22 ha) memorial park that serves primarily as a cultural center and contains art galleries, a theater, and an amphitheatre. A museum detailing the history of the Mexico–U.S. border is located inside the visitor center.

The city is also home to 242 municipal parks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kvia.com/news/city-looking-at-cost-of-installing-rest-rooms-in-all-parks/31079332 |title=City Looking at Cost of Installing Restrooms in all Parks |publisher=KVIA |date=February 3, 2015 |access-date=February 6, 2015 |archive-date=February 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206204950/http://www.kvia.com/news/city-looking-at-cost-of-installing-rest-rooms-in-all-parks/31079332 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ktsm.com/news/city-revisit-rules-parks-bathrooms |title=City of El Paso to revisit rules for parks & bathrooms |publisher=KTSM |date=February 4, 2015 |access-date=February 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206204721/http://www.ktsm.com/news/city-revisit-rules-parks-bathrooms |archive-date=February 6, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Botanical gardens===
[[File:Chihuahuan desert garden at UTEP.jpg|thumb|right|[[Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens|The Contemplative Garden]] at the Chihuahuan Desert Gardens]]

* The [[Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens|Chihuahuan Desert Gardens]] (CDG) display the flora of the Chihuahuan Desert and adjacent regions in the United States and Mexico. The Gardens were formally dedicated in September 1999 and contain over 625 different species of plants, comprising one of the largest captive assemblages of Chihuahuan Desert flora in the world.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kohout|first=Martin Donnell|title=UTEP Centennial Museum|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/lbe02|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date=February 23, 2012}}</ref>
* The El Paso Municipal Rose Garden (officially named the All-American Rose Selection (AARS) public garden) is one of over 100 certified gardens within the United States. There are over 1,900 rosebushes with 500 varieties. The wrought-iron fenced garden has wide walkways with handicap accessibility, raised beds, a waterfall, and trees and shrubs. Several new rose varieties are planted each year, and after two years the highest-rated are named and receive the AARS symbol.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://txmg.org/elpaso/projects/rose-garden/|title=El Paso Municipal Rose Garden|date=August 27, 2018|website=Keystone Heritage Park}}</ref>
* Feather Lake is a {{convert|43.5|acre|ha|adj=on}} wildlife sanctuary based on a {{convert|40|acre|ha|adj=on}} wetland built by the City of El Paso in 1969 as a stormwater-[[retention basin]]. Since 1976, the El Paso/Trans-Pecos Audubon Society has leased this land from the city and managed it for wildlife. Over 200 different species of birds, especially those associated with water, have been observed at the sanctuary. Fauna residing there include [[muskrats]], [[spiny softshell turtle]]s, [[pond slider]]s, and [[Aspidoscelis inornatus heptagrammus|Trans-Pecos striped whiptail lizards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trans-pecos-audubon.com/feather-lake.html|title=Feather Lake|date=August 23, 2018|website=El Paso/Trans-Pecos Audubon Society}}</ref>
* Keystone Heritage Park comprises an Archaic-period archaeological site, wetlands, and a desert botanical garden. The 4,500-year-old site is one of the oldest villages in the United States. The wetlands are home to many birds, and over 200 species have been spotted there on their seasonal migrations. The botanical garden features a variety of native plants, and includes a pavilion and a replica of an Archaic period brush hut. The newest component, The Chihuahuan Desert Experience, is a work in progress that will allow visitors to stroll the {{convert|900|mi|km|adj=on}} length of desert over a {{convert|17|acre|ha|adj=on}} recreation of the plant indigenous life.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://keystoneheritagepark.com/about-the-keystone-heritage-park/|title=About the Keystone Heritage Park|date=August 17, 2018|website=Texas A&M Agrilife Extension}}</ref>
* Rio Bosque Wetlands is a {{convert|372|acre|ha|adj=on}} city park, managed by the Center for Environmental Resource Management of the [[University of Texas at El Paso]], which began restoration efforts in 1998. In the fall and winter, water flows through the park along the route of the river before it was confined within levees in the 1930s. Many animals and birds have returned to the area as the restoration proceeds, and over 200 species of birds have been sighted.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://research.utep.edu/default.aspx?tabid=65792|title=Rio Bosque Wetlands Park |date=August 29, 2018|website=Center For Environmental Resource Management, The University of Texas at El Paso}}</ref>

===Golf courses===
The metro area has 16 golf courses including Butterfield Trail Golf Club, the only public premium daily fee [[Tom Fazio]] designed golf course in the state of [[Texas]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.butterfieldtrailgolf.com/sites/courses/template.asp?id=1418&page=89273 |title=Butterfield Trail Golf Club |access-date=February 16, 2014 |archive-date=March 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303180438/http://www.butterfieldtrailgolf.com/sites/courses/template.asp?id=1418&page=89273 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was ranked No. 1 in [[Texas]] and No. 3 in the Nation on ''[[Golfweek]]'''s 2013 Best Municipal Golf Courses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://golfweek.com/news/2013/may/08/golfweeks-best-municipal-courses-2013/ |title=Golfweek's Best: Municipal Courses (2013) | work=Golfweek Magazine |date=May 9, 2013 |access-date=February 16, 2014}}</ref> Other golf courses found in the county include:
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* Ascarate Golf Course<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.epcounty.com/ascarate/golf.htm |title=Ascarate Park |publisher=www.epcounty.com |access-date=February 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222002947/http://www.epcounty.com/ascarate/golf.htm |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Coronado Country Club<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.coronadocountryclub.com/ |title=Coronado Country Club |access-date=February 16, 2014}}</ref>
* El Paso Country Club<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elpasocountryclub.com/ |title=El Paso Country Club | access-date=February 16, 2014}}</ref>
* Horizon City Golf Course<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_24885775/horizon-city-golf-course-reopens|title=Horizon City golf course reopens|newspaper=El Paso Times|date=January 11, 2014|access-date=February 16, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140217025722/http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_24885775/horizon-city-golf-course-reopens|archive-date=February 17, 2014}}</ref>
* Lone Star Golf Club<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lonestargolfclub.net/ |title=Lone Star Golf Club | access-date=February 16, 2014}}</ref>
* Painted Dunes Desert Golf Club<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.painteddunes.com/ |title=Painted Dunes Golf Club | access-date=February 16, 2014}}</ref>
* Underwood Golf Complex<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blissmwr.com/golf/ |title=Underwood Golf Complex |publisher=www.blissmwr.com/golf |access-date=February 16, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221174327/http://www.blissmwr.com/golf/ |archive-date=February 21, 2014}}</ref>
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