ABQ BioPark to Revamp Children’s Fantasy Garden With Public Input

The ABQ BioPark is launching a major renovation of the Children’s Fantasy Garden at the Botanic Garden. For more than 20 years, the Children’s Fantasy Garden has been a place where Albuquerque families have explored, played, and made memories. After more than two decades of inspiring play and discovery, the garden will be thoughtfully reimagined to improve accessibility, update aging infrastructure, and expand opportunities for creativity and learning.

Leading the redesign is a collaborative team including local design firm Dekker, engineering consultants Bohannan Huston, and the nationally recognized immersive arts and entertainment organization Meow Wolf. Together, the team brings expertise in landscape architecture, civil engineering, and experiential design—well suited to create a vibrant, inclusive space for visitors of all ages.

“Our goal is to honor what people love about the Fantasy Garden while creating a more inclusive and inspiring environment,” said ABQ BioPark Associate Director Matthew Peterson. “We’re inviting the community to help shape the next chapter of this special place.”

Community Input at the Core

“The Children’s Fantasy Garden has been a magical spot for Albuquerque kids for decades,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “As a dad whose own kids light up every time we visit the BioPark, I look forward to reimagining this space for future generations—and we want the families who love it to help dream up what comes next.”

Community involvement will be central to shaping the new vision. The BioPark will gather ideas from its members, patrons, and especially children through a variety of interactive engagement activities—both in person and online. Planned outreach includes a community survey, pop-up booths at the BioPark, sessions at BioPark Summer Camps, and hands-on materials like Drawing Kits that invite children to design their own dream garden.

The project team will also use the redesign effort as an opportunity to promote informal STEM education. During community events and summer camps, children and families will meet professionals involved in the project—including urban planners, landscape designers, civil engineers, and artists. These interactions will highlight the diverse careers behind the scenes and help spark interest in STEM fields through real-world examples.

Project Timeline and Phases 

The redesign effort will unfold over several key phases. Public input will be emphasized early to ensure the final design reflects community values and aspirations:

• Pre-Design / Gathering community input (Early Summer 2025): Visioning and idea-gathering through surveys, pop-ups, summer camp sessions, and drawing kits.

• Schematic Design / Bringing ideas to life (Late Summer to Early Fall 2025): Initial design concepts will be developed and shared for feedback at BioPark events and online.

• Design Development / Refining the vision (Fall to Winter 2025): The preferred concept will be refined based on community input and technical considerations.

• Construction Documents (Winter to Spring 2026): Detailed drawings and specifications will be prepared by the design team.
• Bidding & Permitting (Spring to Summer 2026): Final coordination with regulatory agencies and contractor selection.

While the formal public input phase will conclude after schematic design, the BioPark will continue to share updates and progress throughout the project. 

_{A drawing by Brody Lawlis, son of Jessica Lawlis, urban planner at Dekker leading public engagement for the project. His vision reflects the community-driven process, where even the youngest voices help shape the future of the Fantasy Garden.}

Engaging Young Voices Through Creativity

To make the process fun and engaging—especially for younger participants—the team is developing creative tools that encourage imaginative input. A central feature is the Drawing Kit, which invites children to submit illustrations of their dream garden. These submissions will help inspire the final design and build a sense of connection and ownership among young visitors.

The Fantasy Garden has long been a place where imagination takes root. Now, with your input, it’s ready to grow into something even more magical. This is more than a renovation; it’s a transformation shaped by the voices of children, families, and the community. Together, we’re creating a vibrant and inclusive space where creativity, learning, and wonder can flourish for generations to come. The next chapter of the Fantasy Garden is beginning, and we’re excited to see what we can build together. Stay tuned for more ways to get involved in the coming weeks. Visit bioparkchildrensgarden.com for updates and opportunities to have your ideas heard.

_{Emma Heuertz, landscape designer at Dekker, and Noah Pierce, civil engineer at Bohannan Huston, revisit the Children’s Fantasy Garden—where they once played as children.}

_{Now part of the team reimagining this beloved space, they’re helping shape its next chapter with a deep sense of connection and commitment to honoring its legacy for future generations.}

The ABQ BioPark is a living environmental park that protects the natural world and connects communities with nature. It is a refuge for thousands of animals and plants cared for by zoological, marine and botanical experts who lead significant science-based conservation work in New Mexico and around the world. The BioPark consists of four distinct areas: ABQ BioPark Aquarium, ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, ABQ BioPark Zoo, and Tingley Beach.

The ABQ BioPark is an accessible facility and a division of the Department of Arts & Culture, City of Albuquerque, Tim Keller, Mayor. We are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and a member of the American Public Gardens Association. In 2023, ABQ BioPark earned the American Humane Certified™ seal of approval for its excellent treatment of animals and commitment to conservation. For more information, visit www.abqbiopark.com or call 311 locally or 505-768-2000 (Relay NM or 711).