Step into Cuba is a program to promote healthy physical activity through development of sidewalks, paths, trails, social support, and opportunities for lifestyle change. It is based in Cuba, New Mexico. It is guided by a partnership of organizations and individuals – the Step Into Cuba Alliance – and coordinated by the Nacimiento Community Foundation. Our future vision is to create a “greener,” healthier, and more pedestrian, community with opportunities for extraordinary walking and hiking on surrounding scenic Federal lands.
What's Happening?
Step Into Cuba has several walking groups you can join, as well as walking champions who can help you design your own exercise program. You can also choose to participate in volunteer activities - such as landscaping, tree watering, and trail maintenance – to get outdoors, have fun, learn new skills and help the community. We are also developing youth recreation and training programs.
Our Step Into Cuba Alliance or committees meet monthly and welcome guests with ideas and information. We sponsor community events and work closely with the Village of Cuba, Sandoval County, New Mexico Department of Transportation, Federal Agencies, and Continental Divide Trail Alliance on planning future trails including a new segment of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.
Step Into Cuba Video |
HSC UNM
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October 26, 2009
(Above) Seniors participant during an on going walking
group in Cuba, New Mexico.
(Above) 2011 The new Fisher Trail forms from the Back Country Trail, Design and Contruction workshop held in June and July 2011.
Current & Upcoming Events, Activities and Announcements:
Join the Continental Divide Trail Alliance on October 8th, 2011 for a one-day maintenance project on the Continental Divide Trail near Cuba, NM. Click here for details and to sign up!
August 14, 2011 Moonlight Hike
A Success Even Without Full Moon. Read article. (PDF 2.4 megs) Trails and Health was a featured topic at the 13th Annual Conference of the Patnership for National Scenic and Historic Trails in May in Abingdon, Virginia Step Into Cuba was featured as animportant demonstration on how to promote health through trails in rural America. View the present-ation given by Dick Kozoll and Sally Davis. PDF (15 MGS)
We need Fall watering volunteers for our beautiful St Francis Park!
Being a Watering Volunteer is a great way to give back to your community, while, at the same time, doing something good for yourself. (Read here for watering dates and times! Volunteer!
Research shows that volunteering improves health and well being. When you volunteer, you strengthen your sense of purpose, and your connection to your community. The more social connections you have, the healthier and happier you will be. This is because being around others has been shown to reduce depression, anxiety and stress. All kinds of good thing happen when you reduce stress, such as better sleep, improved immunity, and better heart health.(Read more)
February 2011 - Please watch Senator Tom Udall's video on Physical Activity & Preventive Care in NM. Step Into Cuba is featured in this segment.
Start your New Year off right and join a walking group today! Click on the links below for more info:
UNM TODAY - June 2010 Chance Munns, a graduate student in the UNM landscape architecture master’s program, got involved with Step into Cuba, a park project in Cuba, N.M.Read full story here.
The 2010 Step Into Cuba Walkability Report
(22 MG PDF)
Health Impact Assessment (HIA) Flyer regarding changes to U.S. 550 also in the 2010 May issue of the Cuba News (view PDF)
August 2011 New walking "prompt" signage seen all over Cuba now!
This website is provided by The University of New Mexico's Prevention Research Center, a member of the Prevention Research Centers Program,
supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cooperative agreement number U48-DP-000061-05.
For more information, please contact the UNM Prevention Research Center at (505) 272-4462.
