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ABOUT
The high desert setting of Mariposa is surrounded not only by majestic mountain ranges but by rich history as well. The community will soon become home to thousands of New Mexicans, both natives and newcomers.
Mariposa's natural setting just north of Albuquerque makes it convenient to the city without compromising the stunning beauty of its setting. I-25, NM 550 and Northern Boulevard in Rio Rancho are just minutes away, providing easy access from any direction.
PUEBLO INDIANS:
Five thousand years ago, Native Americans of this region traversed the land to pursue their hunt, gather foods from the austere landscape and cherish the elusive waters of the canyons. The Pueblo Indians made no attempt to master the land, but instead honored it as sacred. They created modest and functional communities that provided protection from the natural elements. Their buildings were made of earth with small openings for light, log roofs and dirt flooring. Access from the roof made them safe from hostile attacks. Groups of buildings were organized around a central plaza, creating 'pueblos' that brought man together with the landscape on a human scale. Pueblos form the very essence of the built environment that still characterizes the region today.
SPANIARDS:
In the 16th century the Spaniards came from Mexico along El Camino Real and soon became an integral part of New Mexico's history. When they came in search of the mythical "seven cities of gold" they instead found the earthen abodes of the Pueblo people. As they began to colonize they integrated their European heritage into the architecture of the Native Americans. They brought with them iron tools that could shape wood, and mixed mud with sand and straw to create bricks that dried in the sun. These became the building blocks that resembled the stone used in the old world. With a strong orientation to their faith, they built large public plazas and centered their communities around their churches. The Spanish also introduced sheep, cattle and horses to the region.
STATEHOOD:
With Mexico's independence in 1821, New Mexico became a province of the United States. The Santa Fe Trail brought settlers from the east, lured by the opportunities of the great Western Territory. It also brought more sophisticated building materials including manufactured glass, metal, brick, milled lumber and Victorian decorative wood detailing. First traders, then settlers, introduced these new building elements into the emerging regional style of New Mexican architecture. It is these historical traditions of the region that the settlement of Mariposa builds upon, drawing from New Mexico's past in order to become an integral part of its future.
OVERVIEW:
Mariposa's 6,400 acres roll across the high desert, over a mile above sea level and are characteristically New Mexico: bold, expansive and colorful. They represent a combination of rugged terrain and gentle slopes with short grass prairies, juniper- and pinon-covered hills and arroyos shaded by cottonwoods. Crossing this great expanse of land on foot takes an entire day; appreciating its beauty could take a lifetime.
LOCATION:
Mariposa sits in the center of a majestic crown of mountain ranges, with vistas reaching 360 degrees and including the Jemez, Sangre de Cristo, Ortiz, Sandia and Manzano mountain ranges. Mt. Taylor, one of the four principal mountains of the Navajo Nation, and Cabezon Peak lie to the northwest. Mariposa's more immediate neighbors are the pueblo communities of Jemez, Zia, Santa Ana and Sandia.
WILDLIFE:
For centuries, antelope, deer, porcupine and an occasional black bear have also been spotted in the neighborhood. One hundred fifty species of butterfly call the high desert of New Mexico home, giving Mariposa (Spanish for "butterfly") its name.
PROCESS:
Mariposa began the process of creating a new community in 1995 by reclaiming the land after 100 years of cattle ranching. The land lay fallow for nearly a decade to allow it to be restored to its natural state, allowing the native grasslands and woodlands to return to their former vibrancy.
CLIMATE:
The climate at Mariposa can be described in a single word: pleasant. The community experiences all four seasons but moderate temperatures and low humidity make them all relatively comfortable. Rainfall in the city averages 8.5 inches, but the nearby mountains receive as much as 40 inches per year of rain and over 100 inches of snow. Occasional winter dustings of snow at Mariposa melt quickly under the azure New Mexico sky. Average temperature by month:
HOMES
New Mexico's finest builders have created individual neighborhoods within Mariposa, each with its own unique architectural style, personality and charm and each offering broadband fiber-to-the-home. To sample these community villages, simply click on the appropriate icon.
Designed, developed and built in harmony with the surrounding eastern edge of Mariposa, Vista Manzano is a new residential area offering the beauty of a natural setting with a warm, neighborhood feel.
Vista Manzano's 56 home sites were designed with a variety of lot sizes to reflect the individuality of the community, enhanced with its own open space area. This community offers a single entry/exit and cul de sac streets to discourage unnecessary traffic, thus enhancing the neighborhood feel. Adjacent community trails will link you with a larger ten mile network of walking, hiking and bicycling trails.
Sky View Homes, part of the Scott Patrick Family of Fine Homes, will offer several model plans ranging from 1949 to over 3100 square feet. Elevation choices will include contemporary, southwestern pueblo to more contemporary, pitched tile designs.
For further information call Sky View Homes at Andalucia de La Luz at 505-821-8081 or our main office at 505-828-9900.
LIFE
New Mexico's distinct culture has aptly been called a "pageant of three peoples." Native Americans, Hispanics and Anglos each have played a distinct role in the state's history. Mariposa will continue to build upon the historical traditions of the region, drawing from New Mexico's past in order to become an integral part of its future.
SHOPPING:
Mariposa is located at the northern end of Rio Rancho in Sandoval County. The community is less than two miles from the new Rio Rancho City Center, where city hall and a brand new multi-purpose arena are under development. Dozens of grocery stores, restaurants, dry cleaners, home improvement stores, movie theaters and other retail services are within a few miles of Mariposa. And as the community grows, many of these services will be within walking distance as the Mariposa East Town Center comes to life.
COMMUNITY:
Over the next quarter century, Mariposa will become the equivalent of a mid-sized New Mexico town. As Rio Rancho's northern-most community, Mariposa will ultimately be home to some 18,000 people and over six thousand homes. A mix of neighborhoods, employment centers, shops, schools, public gathering places and preserved open space will make Mariposa a community like no other.
Mariposa East is the first phase of the community. It will encompass 1,650 homes in a number of neighborhoods spread over 1,500 acres. Some neighborhoods will be community-oriented and include homes of distinctive architecture drawn from our New Mexican heritage. Large and small parks scattered throughout the community provide intimate public places for neighbors to walk, play with their children and take in the land.
Mariposa West, a slightly larger section of Mariposa (approximately 3,000 acres), will be the community's second phase. It may contain up to 5,000 homes and will include convenient retail and office locations.
Each major section of Mariposa will have its own community gathering place. Like most authentic New Mexico towns, the mosaic of Mariposa neighborhoods will reflect the diverse population of New Mexico. Mariposa town planners will work diligently over the coming years and collaborate with the finest local builders to bring the community plan to life. They will carefully ensure that the founding vision, goals and planning principles of Mariposa are maintained for the nearly seven thousand families that will ultimately call Mariposa home.
The Mariposa Community Center is being designed by world-renowned architect, Antoine Predock. This unique 14,000 square-foot design will feature state-of-the-art amenities including: exercise facilities, great hall, meeting rooms, classrooms, library and game rooms, catering kitchen, as well as an outdoor swimming pool, deck and snack bar. The facility overlooks the Mariposa Preserve with beautiful views of the green Jemez Valley and Jemez Mountains on the north, the badlands of the preserve, and a grand vista to the east of the Sandia Mountains. Construction should start by January 2006 and will be available to all Mariposa residents when it opens in 2007.
The Mariposa logo symbolizes balance, diversity and integration while suggesting the delicate wings of a butterfly. A stunning, stainless steel sculpture of the logo welcomes visitors as they enter our community. The sculpture is the vision of Ali Baudoin, a world -renowned artist with installations around the globe.
RECREATION:
Mariposa is an outdoor recreation paradise. The entire community is interlaced with an extensive network of trails and bike paths. Neighborhood trails connect to the broader regional network of trails within the Mariposa Preserve. Dozens of small parks will dot the community as it grows and Mariposa will be home to a 24-acre regional park featuring playground equipment and ball fields.
GOLF
Mariposa is just a few miles from the Santa Ana Golf Course, called "one of America's three best true links-style golf courses" by The New York Times, and Twin Warriors Golf Course at Tamaya. Dozens of other courses are just a short drive away.
SOCCER
Mariposa is also just a stone's throw from the New Mexico Soccer Tournament Complex. Featuring 22 international-sized fields, the complex is one of the premier tournament locations in the country and regularly hosts prestigious national, regional, and state youth and adult tournaments.
CULTURE
Mariposa's nearby neighbors, the Santa Ana, Zia, Jemez and Sandia pueblos, enable Mariposa residents to immerse themselves in area history, as does the Coronado State Monument just a few miles to the northeast. Conveniently located to both Interstate 25 and NM 550, Mariposa offers quick and convenient access to the many other recreational activities in New Mexico, from skiing in Santa Fe to fishing in Farmington.
PARKS
Significant landforms and their associated habitats at Mariposa have been preserved. Protected areas include the 2,200+ acre Mariposa Preserve and the interconnected open space interior areas within the developed portions of the community. Residents can walk along the escarpment on the Rim Trail, scramble to the top of an outcropping, or take in the scenery from an overlook because of the extensive network of community trails. Over ten miles of walking, jogging and cycling trails will be provided in Mariposa East alone, bringing residents closer to the high desert they call home.
SITES:
All Mariposa homesites feature unsurpassed views and access to open space and a vast network of hiking trails. These 1/2-acre to 3-acre lots all feature broadband fiber-to-the-home and a generous building envelope which assures that each home captures the best views possible without compromising the views of its neighbors. To sample these estate neighborhoods, simply click on the appropriate icon.
DESERT HIGHLANDS
Set along the eastern edge of Mariposa, Desert Highlands' premium homesites offer spectacular city and mountain views and easy access to community trails which connect to the broader trail network. Ranging from 1/2-acre to 1.5 acres in size, lots in Desert Highlands average 3/4 acres. Carefully-defined, 9,000 square-foot building envelopes allow each home to take best advantage of the natural terrain while minimizing the impact on its neighbors.
VENADA ESTATES
Venada Estates is named after Mariposa East's principal arroyo and features home sites ranging from 3/4-acre to two acres in size. This extraordinary neighborhood is found in the southeastern section of Mariposa. Each lot features a generous 12,000 square-foot building envelope to maximize its incredible view of the surrounding mountains.
RIDGELINE ESTATES
Ridgeline Estates includes 35 lots ranging in size from three-quarter acre to two acres - all with 12,000 square-foot building envelopes. Many of these building sites have 360-degree views that encompass the surrounding mountain ranges. Construction on these developments should start by late 2005, and be complete in late 2006.
HIGHLAND MEADOWS
Highland Meadows includes 36 lots ranging in size from one-half acre to 1.3 acres - all with 9,000 square-foot building envelopes and great views of the surrounding area. Construction on these developments should start by the end of 2005, and be complete in late 2006.