Parks and Recreation Announces Weekend ‘Operation Cooldown’

The City of Albuquerque’s Parks and Recreation Department (PRD), Department of Senior Affairs (DSA) and the Family and Community Services Department (FCS) announced a partnership on “Operation Cooldown”—a combination of efforts during the upcoming weekend to help Albuquerque stay cool during the current heat wave. “Operation Cooldown” is comprised of three elements:  extended splash pad hours, incentives to use City pools, and City park sprinkler play. The City also announced available resources for the unsheltered and at-risk populations of Albuquerque.

“Operation Cooldown is about keeping the health and well-being of our City’s families at the forefront,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Even in this extreme heat, we’re ensuring Albuquerque’s status as the best place for families by increasing access to our facilities and providing more ways for folks to cool down on these hot summer days, and maybe even have some fun along the way.”

Sprinkler play will be available at designated parks (see list below) beginning Tuesday, July 18, 2023, through Friday July 21, 2023, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. PRD focused on new park locations that either offer the City’s summer lunch program or parks located close to a community center to allow better access for children enrolled in city programming. Pool fees and splash pad hours are back to standard pricing and operation.​

Sprinkler Play Sessions

Tuesday, July 18 - Friday July 21, 1pm - 2pm.

Tuesday, July 18

• Singing Arrow – 12929 Piru Blvd SE
• Loma del Norte Park – 7511 Burke St NE 87109
• Jeanne Bellamah Park – 11516 Summer Ave NE
• Barelas Park – 801 Barelas Rd SW

Wednesday July 19

• Snow Park – 9501 Indian School Rd NE
• Westgate Community – 1901 Valley View Dr SW
• Tres Placitas Park – 10600 Pueblo Pl NW
• Jade – 6402 San Francisco Rd NE

Thursday July 20

• Los Duranes Park – 2920 Leopoldo Rd NW
• El Rancho Atrisco Park – 2720 Ladera Rd SW
• Holiday Park – 11710 Comanche Rd NE
• Dennis Chavez Park – 800 Dan Ave SE

Friday, July 21

• Mesa Verde Park – 7900 Marquette Ave NE
• Bennie J Aragon Park – 1413 Catalina Pl SW
• Quigley Park – 2801 San Pedro Dr NE
• Roosevelt Park – 501 Spruce St SE

Recreational Facilities Splash Pad Extended Hours

Sat. July 15 and Sun. July 16, noon to 5 p.m.

The Community Centers and Senior Centers will be open during these extended hours of operation for public restroom access.

• Wells Park Splash Pad and Cesar Chavez Splash Pad will have extended hours of operation Sat. July 15 and Sun. July 16, noon to 5 p.m.
• Manzano Mesa Splash Pad will extend its operating hours Sat. July 15, noon to 5 p.m.

“Senior Affairs is committed to providing services that enhance our city’s quality of life,” added Anna Sanchez, Director of Senior Affairs. “By partnering with Parks & Rec to extend hours at the Manzano Mesa Splash Pad, we’re able to do that by helping Albuquerque families stay cool.”

Cooling Centers and Resources

FCS highlighted many locations across the metro where at-risk and unsheltered populations can receive services and find a place to get out of the heat. Air conditioning, water, sunscreen and indoor meals are some of the resources available. You can visit the Homless Services webpage for complete information.

“We’re lucky to be able to provide extra fun and much needed resources during this heat wave,” said Deputy Director Jess Martinez. “Extending the hours at our community center splash pads means more families can beat the heat in the late afternoon and this weekend. And for parents who don’t want to splash, all of our facilities are air conditioned too.”

Pool Discount

Thurs. July 13 through Sun. July 16, 2023

PRD also announced special incentives to visit City pools. Effective Thurs. July 13 through Sun. July 16, 2023:

• The entrance fee at West Mesa Aquatic Center, Sierra Vista, and Eisenhower Pool will be only $1.00 for children and adults. These three pools are normally at capacity for recreational swim sessions.
• All other pools will be FREE, which will encourage use at pools that often are not full.

Admission to all pools is first-come, first served and all City pools have capacity limits. People can call ahead to the pools to check availability. 

Finally, PRD will host the first-of-its-kind “sprinkler play sessions” in parks across the city. PRD invites the public to cool down by running through sprinklers. The water used for the sprinkler play will be offset by the success PRD has had in water conservation. PRD saved 300 million gallons of water in 2022.

“Running through a sprinkler is classic water play,” said Parks and Recreation Director Dave Simon.  “Join us for some good old-fashioned summer fun. We normally don’t run sprinklers during the day, but we have done such a great job at water conservation and Albuquerque has earned this opportunity to beat the heat!”

Sprinkler Play Sessions

July 14, through Sun. July 16, 2023 between 2 and 3 p.m.

Beginning Friday, July 14, through Sun. July 16, 2023 between 2 and 3 p.m., sprinklers will be turned on at specified parks throughout the city. See schedule below:

Fri. July 14 & Sat. July 15 | 2 to 3 p.m.

• Alamosa Park – 1100 Bataan Dr SW 87121

• Del Sol Park – 4300 Avenida Manana NE 87110

• Paradise Skies Park – 6100 Sagittarius Ave NW 87114

• Ross Enchanted Park– 2519 Algodones St NE 87112

Sun. July 6 | 2 to 3 p.m.

• Sunrise Terrace Park – 850 102^nd Street SW 87121

• Bataan Park – 748 Tulane Dr NE 87106

• Seville Park –6300 Burgos Ave NW 87114

• Desert Ridge Park – 7300 Blue Cypress Ave NE 87113