public art piece on Feb. 14. The piece is part of the city’s Rail Trail.
Step by step, the Rail Trail continues to move forward.
On Feb. 14, the city of Albuquerque unveiled the Rail Trail’s 25-foot tumbleweed public art piece at the Rail Yards in Downtown. The sculpture was designed by the late Antoine Predock and will glow at night.
The Rail Trail is a seven-mile path that will link Downtown, Old Town, the Rail Yards and the bosque through art, storytelling and design.
The recently completed segment stretches from the Sawmill District to Tiguex Park and features dramatic archways designed by Predock that are like “slices” of the giant Tumbleweed. Predock envisioned a giant, iconic, tumbleweed to be a key feature of the Rail Trail.
“The electric tumbleweed is meant to reflect who we are as a city – deeply rooted in our culture and history, yet always moving forward,” said Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Director Terry Brunner. “Now, as Antoine Predock’s vision takes shape at the Rail Yards, we are honoring both his legacy and the enduring spirit of our city.”
Terri Cole, president and CEO of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce (GACC), noted that for years, the Chamber has supported this urban trail project, which will enable residents and visitors to traverse from historic Rail Yards through various city landmarks.
The Chamber has also backed initiatives like forming a Business Improvement District (BID) and a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District to boost Downtown’s economy and complement the Rail Trail.