San Antonio Oxbow Bluffs

LOCATION: 5001 Namaste Road NW
CONTACT: Adryana Vialpando, Planner ● [email protected]

NOTICE: A Mayoral ribbon cutting event is scheduled for June (date and time TBD). Please stay tuned for a formal event flyer.  

The San Antonio Oxbow Bluffs provides critical environmental and community benefits. It protects sensitive wetlands connected to the Rio Grande, supports diverse wildlife habitat with over 179 bird species, and preserves native grasslands and arroyos that contribute to water quality and flood protection. The site also offers scenic views of the Rio Grande and Sandia Mountains, expanded recreational opportunities, and improved public access.

As part of the City’s Major Public Open Space network, the property will remain protected from development, ensuring long-term ecological preservation, reduced fire risk, and lasting public benefit for future generations.

In March 2021, the City of Albuquerque purchased the 23-acre San Antonio Oxbow Bluffs property, formerly known as the Poole property, for $6.7 million, protecting it from a proposed 69-home subdivision. This acquisition, made possible through a grassroots community effort and funding partnerships between the City, County, and State, preserves one of the last remaining undeveloped parcels along the Rio Grande Bosque on Albuquerque’s west side.

Since its acquisition, the property has undergone an extensive public planning and design process. Community input helped shape the site’s vision through meetings, surveys, and concept plans. The final site plan was approved by the Environmental Planning Commission in October 2023, and funding was secured through General Obligation Bonds and state grants to support development.

To learn more about the San Antonio Oxbow Bluffs project, click this story map link. 

CURRENT STATUS

Construction of Phase 1 began in mid-2025 and is now complete, and the Open Space Division is now ready to welcome the community to this unique landscape. Phase 1 offers a welcoming outdoor space designed for both low impact recreation and learning. Visitors can enjoy a natural walking trail loop, including an ADA-accessible trail that provides inclusive access to the landscape. The site also features an outdoor classroom and pavilion for educational programming and gatherings, along with benches and picnic tables for rest and relaxation. Throughout the area, visitors are treated to beautiful views of the Rio Grande and the Oxbow marsh, highlighting the site’s unique ecological setting.

Review the slide presentation and community feedback taken in the fall of 2021.

If you have questions, please contact: Adryana Vialpando, Planner/Project Manager, 505-768-4203 or [email protected] 

Thank you for your understanding and continued support!

Oxbow Marsh Restoration and Maintenance

The OSD is currently conducting restoration and maintenance projects in the Oxbow Marsh, located just below the SOAB. Projects include beaver dam mitigation, invasive species removal, and an endangered species survey. The OSD will coordinate quarterly volunteer stewardship events to engage the community in the restoration and management of this valuable habitat. These events will be posted on the Open Space City website when they are finalized.

The OSD is also working with the Bosque School and St. Pius X, who have graciously volunteered to perform general species inventories and help monitor the environmental quality of the Oxbow Marsh and surrounding area. These efforts are important to help inform science-backed management and preserve the quality of the oxbow for future generations. Additionally, The Native Plant Society is conducting bi-annual plant inventories. The OSD will continue to engage partners and the community in these efforts and additional citizen science projects.

To learn how to get involved with restoration projects at the Oxbow Marsh, contact Open Space Field Biologist Joanna Strange 505-768-4208 or [email protected].