Balloon Fiesta Park

This years event was GREAT !

The 2009 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta was a success !

Remember next year Oct 2-10th 2010

Albuquerque's largest park, Balloon Fiesta Park is home to the spectacular annual
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (505) 821-1000,
Anderson - Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum (505) 768-6020,
and the Albuquerque Golf Training Facility. (505) 857-8437

Year Round Activities

 

This 360 acre City park is used year round for various activities. A little over 100 acres of the park is developed. The park was the first park in Albuquerque irrigated with City reuse water. The park is used for year round ballooning, recreation field sports, golf practice, model aircraft flying (please note that gas powered model aircrafts are not allowed), walks/runs, bicycle racing, company picnics, concerts and special events.

• Northern Launch Field: is a joint use 47 acre balloon launch field with space for approximately 23 game fields. There are three permanent restrooms that serve this area of the park. Informal use of the park is free, though the park is sometimes closed for special events. See below for information concerning reserving a portion of the park for events. Since the Northern Launch field is large, the park is best suited for medium to larger events.

• Albuquerque Golf Training Facility (505) 857-8437, a 32 acre driving range and 6-hole chip and putt course. During the summer, the facility is open 7 AM - 10 PM (last bucket sold at 9:30 PM). On Thursday, the facility does not open until 9:00 AM for maintenance and on Sunday the facility is opened 8 AM until 8 PM. The facility is also used for weddings. The facility is tentatively expected to reopen on Nov 7th after resetting all equipment.

• Eastdale Little League : Home to Eastdale Little League, 8 youth baseball fields.

Access

• Balloon Fiesta Park is located at the north end of Albuquerque. The park can be reached from the Northern Entrance (I25 Exit 234, Roy/ Tramway south to Balloon Fiesta Parkway) or the Southern Entrance (I25 Exit 233 Alameda Rd. west to Balloon Museum Drive).

• Access for special events and field sport practice is typically from the Northern Entrance to the park. The Southern Entrance to the park provides access to the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, Albuquerque Golf Training Center and reserved picnics that are held at the park.

• Pedestrian access to the park is allowed at the north and south ends of the park. Pedestrian access is sometimes closed during special events.

• Access to Balloon Fiesta Park from North Diversion Channel Trail for the public, bike riders/ walkers/ runners on the trail have two options.
1. Trail users can access the park from Alameda Blvd. trail east to Balloon Museum Drive. At the top of the hill entering the park, there is a pedestrian gate that is open 24/7 (unless a special event is occurring at the park).

2. Trail users can access the park from the North Diversion Channel Trail north of Alameda Blvd. by crossing the bridge into the park. The trail currently ends at a bridge across from the museum. During the winter, the 8A gate is open and closed at 8 AM and 5 PM. Eventually we hope to extend the trail along the La Cueva Channel to Balloon Museum Drive so trail users can access the park 24/7.

• The Northern Launch field can also be accessed by purchasing automated gate access cards for vehicles. The cards cost $20/card/year. The cards can be purchased by contacting 857-8437 or by visiting the Albuquerque Golf Training Center at the park. Some restrictions do apply in providing the access cards to the public.

Reserving Balloon Fiesta Park

Balloon Fiesta Park provides a wonderful, spacious facility for medium to large outdoor events, walks/ runs, festivals, etc. Much of the park has excellent access to utilities and parking is plentiful. To aid in reserving the park, please review the following information and call 311 or 768-5300 for more information. Reservation are not approved until written confirmation is issued by the Parks and Recreation Department.

 

Park Information Flyer	222 K	Posted August 4, 2009
Fee Schedule	174 K	Posted August 4, 2009
Application	89 K	Posted August 4, 2009
Balloon Park Map	80 K	Posted August 4, 2009

For events with anticipated participants of up to 3,000 people there is a $35 non-refundable application fee for reserving the park, for events over 3,000 participants the non-refundable fee is $100. The additional Park Usage Fee is based on the amount of area rented and whether the activity is sponsored by a Not for Profit agency. The application for reserving the park for events must be received at least 45 days before your event (30 days for small events) or, an expeditated application fee may be charged.

Some events require additional review and approval by other City departments or the Balloon Fiesta Park Operations and Management Policy Board. Staff can schedule an appointment with the City Special Event Permit Committee and the Balloon Fiesta Park Operations and Management Policy Board. Insurance may also be required.

Park Schedule

Use of the park is restricted in August (approval only granted on a case-by-case basis) and the park closed September and October of each year because of the preparations for the annual Balloon Fiesta.

Contacts:

• Sandy Zuschlag, Senior Landscape Architect, RLA, szuschlag@cabq.gov (505) 768-5366
• Emergency pager for maintenance concerns (505) 251-0172