"We're really focusing on quality of life," Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Johnny Johnson said. "We've done some really nice beautification projects lately. We're certainly working to enhance the river."
In recent years, city leaders have showcased the river's natural beauty with walkways and plantings of colorful wildflowers. On the east bank, the former Southwestern Public Service Co. electric power plant was converted into a youth center. Buildings from an abandoned amusement park have been transformed into a meeting and mini-convention area known as the Pecos River Village.