Wells Park: From Vacant Lot to Hot Spot

ALBUQUERQUE – Barely a year after reopening, the upgraded Wells Park has become a prime destination for people throughout Albuquerque and beyond, delivering on the vision to create iconic parks that go beyond just serving neighbors to uplifting the City.

The park’s transformation is impossible to miss. Its three-story playground rises above the neighborhood, with double circular slides standing out as a new landmark in one of Albuquerque’s oldest communities. It’s a striking first glimpse of just how much Wells Park has changed.

“We took a patch of dirt and polished it into a gem,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “It’s active from morning to night, and people are coming from all over to experience it.”

Wells Park’s renovation was nearly 20 years in the making. The 2.2-acre block adjacent to its original location had been occupied by dilapidated structures, which were eventually torn down leaving an empty lot. In 2020 the City acquired the property with a goal to expand the park and create something remarkable. Public input was sought later that year, helping shape the park around community priorities.

The project broke ground on December 14, 2023, and the expanded Wells Park officially reopened on May 24, 2025.

The $8.2 million project nearly doubled the park from approximately 2.5 acres to 4.7 acres, creating space for a broad range of activities and amenities:

• A 27-foot-tall Hedra Tower playground with double circular slides.
• A dedicated dog park.
• Multiuse, pickleball, and basketball courts.
• Fitness equipment.
• Expanded green space.
• A food truck plaza.
• Shade structures and sustainable landscaping.
• 144 new trees.
• An improved splash pad.
• New irrigation and infrastructure.
• Expanded opportunities for evening and nighttime recreation.

“It just keeps getting more popular and full of life,” said Parks & Recreation Director Dave Simon. “That kind of energy makes all the work feel worthwhile.”

The impact is especially visible at the splash pad. Before the renovation, park staff often saw little to no use of the feature. Since the park reopened, staff have seen an estimated 95% increase in use, with lines forming daily during the summer.

The surge in activity goes beyond splashing. By filling the expanded space with a variety of attractions, Wells Park has room for a range of generations and interests.

A child can climb the city’s tallest play structure, a group of friends can play pickleball, a family can cool off at the splash pad, a dog can run untethered, and neighbors can picnic all in the same afternoon.

The park’s design also incorporates safety measures, with the City’s Metro Security Division patrolling daily. The parking lot entrance is timed, and all park gates close at night.

The Wells Park expansion project was funded through a combination of local, state, and federal  dollars, including American Rescue Plan Act funds, gross receipts tax bonds, City Council set-aside funds, and state capital outlay funds. The Wells Park Neighborhood Association also contributed $25,000 to the project.