Preserving the Couse meadow
Town of Taos councilman Fritz Hahn recently discovered how badly the Couse meadow has been mistreated by vagrants and irresponsible individuals who have been using it as a campground and a trash dump.
The Couse family was unaware of the situation that had developed largely over the last six months, but since being contacted they have organized a massive cleanup effort.
The long-term issues involve removal of trash, landscaping (cutting the trees and bushes that block the view into the area and create hideaways) and annual maintenance.
The Couse meadow is uniquely important. It is a remnant of Taos’ historic past and the vision of its future. In 1921 the artist E. I. Couse and his wife purchased this acreage in the valley to the south of their home from the Liebert family in order to “prevent any mills or ugly buildings from obstructing the view of the distant mountains.” This 19-acre meadow is now the last remaining open space in the center of town.
The view has long been enjoyed by visitors to the Couse home and studio (now the Couse-Sharp Historic Site). In her 1918 article titled “To Taos and Back,” Lydia Trowbridge described her emotional response upon first encountering that view: “At our ring the gate swung in on its massive hinges. Never before had I understood what it meant to be ‘smitten between the eyes.’ But the view from that gateway smote with a suddenness that brought tears. ... There is but one such view, and an artist guards the gateway.”
Today that view is still miraculously preserved and it continues to thrill visitors to the Couse-Sharp Historic Site when they leave busy Kit Carson Road behind and step through the gateway that leads onto the Couse portal. However, it is not only important as the view shed for this historic house. It is equally important for all residents of Taos as a vestige of their historic past and a marker for the qualities they envision in their future.
This meadow is embedded in the DNA of many older Taoseños who remember playing there as children. For newcomers, it represents a welcome respite from the urban sprawl they had left behind when they moved to Taos.
The time has come to transfer the property to a new guardian that can take over the preservation of this precious asset. The Couse family, however, faces a dilemma. A lien on the property endangers its future unless $1.5 million can be raised to retire this debt. Although a solution is being sought, any help in solving this problem would be gratefully received.
Our vision for the meadow’s future involves a bike and walking path around the perimeter encircling pasturage for animals such as horses or sheep. A few ramadas would be constructed on the side near McDonald’s, providing townspeople with a place to picnic while enjoying the incomparable view of Taos Mountain to the north. This plan provides access for use as well as preservation of the meadow’s rural character.
In the meantime, it will be necessary to post “no trespassing” signs in order to give police the authority to patrol the area and to prevent its misuse again. However, we hope that in the future its public access can be restored.
I would welcome hearing from you about your memories or your thoughts for the future. My email is leavitt@gainusa.com.