Open Space Summer Series 2009
Mayor Martin J. Chávez and the City of Albuquerque’s Open Space Division invite you for a summer of family fun during our 2009 Open Space Summer Series. The Elena Gallegos Park is located at the end of Simms Park Road, east of Tramway Boulevard, just north of Academy.
We took a new direction last year by expanding the Sunday Hikes to all of our different Open Space areas across the city and this year we want to introduce people to our outlying properties off North and South Highway 14 in the East mountains.
Call Bill Pentler at 452-5222 for Pre-registration or other questions.
Please see the bottom of the page for directions to specific Open Space areas.
Saturday SUNSET SERIES at Elena Gallegos Picnic Area
The Saturday Sunset Series will feature talks, demonstrations and shows by some of Albuquerque's best speakers, teachers and performers at the Elena Gallegos Picnic Area Amphitheater on Saturdays at 7:00pm. All Saturday Series programs take place at the Elena Gallegos Double Shelter Amphitheater and are free with a $2.00 entry fee.
May 23rd
Wilderness Survival – Lecture and demonstration by Survival Specialist Mike Bochnia
May 30th
Kompanye – Klezmer Music – Klezmer music and dance from Eastern Europe and the Lower East Side.
June 6th
Once Upon A Fig… – An educational talk on the history of figs and dates in New Mexico by Lloyd Kreitzer.
June 13th
Kenneth Shaw - Accordionist – Music from the former Yugoslavia
June 20th
Flutes in the Foothills – A musical performance by Bonnie Schmader
June 27th
Johnny Alston – Native American Flute – A musical performance and artwork
July 4th
Weather or Not – Meteorology – An educational talk by Deidre Kann of the National
Weather Service
July 11th
J’Zamm Jazz Quartet – Music by Bonnie Schmader, Judy Green, Phil Green, and Bill Pommy
July 18th
Stories of Wolves – An educational talk by Elke Duerr
July 25th
CumuloNimbus – Musical performance of flutes, drums and storytelling
August 1st
The White and Black Hat Guys – Stories of NM Lawmen and Outlaws by Mary Diecker
August 8th
Open Space 25th Anniversary Party – An all day event with activities, talks, hikes and music at the Open Space Visitor Center.
August 15th
Middle Eastern and Tahitian Dancing – Performances arranged by Maria Chavez
August 22nd
Folk Music, Storytelling and Dance – An evening of ancient tales and original music on guitar, fiddle, and flute - Johanna and Scott Hongell-Darsee
August 29th
Conservation and Care of Turtles and Tortoises – An educational talk and demonstration by the Rio Grande Turtle and Tortoise Club.
September 5th
Bird Rehabilitation – An educational talk by Marian Hamberg
SUNDAY HIKES - From varied areas of Open Space
On Sundays, starting at 9:00 a.m., unless stated otherwise, knowledgeable guides and members of our community lead explorations and offer demonstrations in an assortment of fields and specialties. Our wish is to nudge you and your family to widen your horizons and begin a lifelong ritual of returning to your newly discovered favorite Open Spaces.
Please call Bill Pentler at 452-5222 for Pre-registration if stated.
May 24th
Wild About Wildflowers – Pearl Burns, National Forest Service. Meet at the Elena Gallegos Pino Trailhead. This is a 2 to 3 hour hike. Bring water.
May 31st
Introduction to Tai Chi – Sifu Dug Corpolongo. Meet at the Open Space Visitor Center. We’ll hike into the Bosque for a 1 to 2 hour talk and demonstration.
June 7th
Geologic Highlights of the Golden Open Space – Geologist, Jack Babcock. Meet at 8:30 am for a strenuous hike to one of Open Spaces outlying areas. Bring water and whatever you need for a 2 to 3 hour hike. Pre-registration Required.
June 14th
Mesa Prieta – Dr. Matt Schmader, Open Space. Mesa Prieta Canyon. Meet at 8:30 am for a strenuous hike in a little traveled area of the Petroglyph National Monument. Bring water and whatever you need for a 2 to 3 hour hike. Pre-registration Required.
June 21st
Yoga and Summer Solstice Celebration – Jenny Dominique. Meet at the Open Space Visitor for an instructional Yoga session. $15 Suggested Donation
June 28th
What’s New at the Rio Grande Community Farm? Community Garden, Grain Production and more… Susan Smith. Meet at Los Poblanos Fields for a 1 to 2 hour hike and educational talk.
July 5th
Bosque Wild Guided Nature Walk – Elsa Bumstead and Vern Huser. Meet at the Open Space Visitor Center for a 2 hour hike through the Bosque. Call 897-8831 for Pre-registration.
July 12th
Volcanoes and Geology – Larry Crumpler, NM Natural History Museum. Meet at the volcanoes in the Petroglyph National Monument for a 2 to 3 hour hike.
July 19th
Awareness and Observation - Mike Bochnia, Survival Specialist. Meet at the Elena Gallegos Kiwanis Shelter for a 2 to 3 hour talk and demonstration. Pre-registration Required.
July 26th
Family Mountain Bike Ride and Clinic - Chuck Malogoti. Meet at the Alameda Trailhead for a 2 hour session. Bring your bike and helmet for a light to medium ride.
August 2nd
Introduction to Tracking – Mike Bochnia, Survival Specialist. Meet at the Alameda Trailhead for a 2 to 3 hour instruction. Pre-registration Required.
August 9th
Forest Health in the Juan Thomas Open Space – Martin Martinez, Open Space Forester. Meet at 8:30 am for a strenuous hike to one of Open Spaces outlying areas. Bring water and whatever you need for a 2 to 3 hour hike. Pre-registration Required.
August 16th
An Introduction to Mountain Biking – Chris and Ann Stageman. Meet at the Elena Gallegos Double Shelter for a 2 to 3 hour session. Bring your bike, helmet, snack, and water. Gloves, patch kit and tubes recommended.
August 23rd
Stories of the Placitas Open Space - Alexander Kurota, Archeologist. Meet at 8:30 am for a strenuous hike to one of Open Spaces outlying areas. Bring water and whatever you need for a 2 to 3 hour hike. Pre-registration Required.
August 30th
Interpretations of the Milne Open Space – John Peterson. Meet at 8:30 am for a strenuous hike to one of Open Spaces outlying areas. Bring water and whatever you need for a 2 to 3 hour hike. Pre-registration Required.
September 6th
Hound Hoedown: A Day of Pet Information and Events 11 am to 4 pm. Meet at the Open Space Visitor Center for an all day event with information, talks, and hikes involving Albuquerque’s Animal Services, Animal Humane, and many others.
DIRECTIONS TO EVENTS:
Alameda Open Space – Follow Alameda Road. The entry to the Alameda Open Space and Trailhead is on the east side of the river and the south side of the road.
Elena Gallegos Park - The Elena Gallegos Park is located at the end of Simms Park Road, east of Tramway Boulevard, just north of Academy.
Pino Trailhead – Follow the road to the right of the entry booth and at the top of the loop, near a restroom, is the Pino Trailhead. It’s marked by a small sign. Double Shelter Amphitheater – Follow the road to the right of the entry booth two-thirds of the way around and the Double Shelter parking area will come up on your left.
Kiwanis Reservation Area – Loop around the entry booth to take the northern road. The gate to the Kiwanis Reservation Area will come up on your right.
Open Space Visitor Center – Located at 6500 Coors Blvd. between Montaño and Paseo Del Norte. Look for the brown signs saying “Open Space Visitor Center” and turn east on Bosque Meadows Road.
Candelaria Farms – Located off of Rio Grande Blvd. on Arbor Road. Arbor Road is about 4 blocks north of Candelaria Road. Arbor dead-ends at the gate to the farm.
The Volcanoes - Part of the Petroglyph National Monument. Drive on I 40 West to Exit 149 – Paseo De Volcan. Proceed north 4.8 miles turning right on the unpaved road, which is a bit rough, to the parking area and trailhead.
Los Poblanos Fields – Drive west on Montaño from Fourth Street and turn north on Tierra Viva Road. The parking area is on the left.
For the remaining hikes, please call Bill Pentler at 452-5222 for Pre-Registration and directions will be given at that time.