Wells Park Expansion Construction Kicks Off
Today Mayor Tim Keller, the Parks and Recreation Department (PRD), City officials and community members celebrated the start of construction on the Wells Park expansion project. The plans include a new playground, dog park, multi-sport courts, food truck plaza, and parking lot, while also revitalizing the existing stage and basketball courts. This project, in one of Albuquerque’s oldest neighborhoods, is going to double the size of Wells Park.
“Our continued investments in quality of life for our families ensure that Wells Park is getting the green space their neighborhood deserves,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “For generations to come, this park will be a gem in the heart of historic Albuquerque.”
“We have been working with the City for many years to get a much-needed park for our children and families. This new park is a crucial asset to the continued health and vibrancy of our community,” said Wells Park Neighborhood Association President Doreen McKnight. “We are grateful to Councilor Benton, Mayor Keller, and the generosity of the Wells Park NA membership in securing this property for the community and making this park a reality.”
Funding for this project is coming from federal the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Gross Receipts tax-backed bonds, Council set-aside funds, and other miscellaneous funds. PRD developed the plans after a 12-month community-driven process. The project is expected to be complete in 12 to 18 months. In the meantime, other nearby community centers like Barelas and Los Duranes have been able to accommodate pickleball and basketball players from Wells Park. Youth programming has been rerouted to the City’s Play+ sites at Lew Wallace and Longellow Elementary Schools.
PRD will be adding in new turf along with an irrigation system and planting 144 trees. Plans for the park also include incorporating art into the overall design, in honor of the park’s location along historic Mountain Road Arts Corridor. The project represents a $7.7 million investment in park.
“The new park area will support many popular activities that the community requested and will also connect to the City’s identity and creative economy,” said PRD Director Dave Simon.