-
For fifty years Albuquerque's Parks and Recreation Department has flourished. As the sleepy little town of 50,000 residents of the 1940's doubled its size by the early 1950's, the need for leadership to direct the growth of our parks was apparent. Under the five member City Commission, several community organizations petitioned for a government entity to direct the future of theboomtown's green space.
-
While closures are in effect, the City and the Open Space Division strive to provide our citizens with recreationalopportunities throughout the year. The Open Space Summer Series (details on page 7) continues through August and offers many chances to enjoy the outdoors and some of the best music, entertainmentand speakers in Albuquerque.
-
After the cold of winter passes and the temperatures slowly increase, so too does the visitation to the City of Albuquerque’s vast Open Space Network. Every year hundreds of volunteers come out to do much-needed work to spruce up the City’s Open Space properties for the summer. The dedication and enthusiasm that these volunteers bring when doing their part to beautify our city never ceases to amaze me.
-
As summer approaches we look forward to a prosperous monsoon season. The year started with several storms with the help of the El Niño cycle. Wildfl owers have been in bloom, insects and reptiles are on the move, and larger mammals can be seen as you hike and explore our wonderful Open Space lands.
-
Summer is in full swing and visitation to Open Spacelands is at an all time high. Not only does the warmerweather increase visitation to Open Space properties, italso brings out the spirit of volunteerism in people aswell.
-
This spring and summer the Open Space Division hosted three highly successfulannual volunteer events that helped to preserve our precious natural resourcesand public lands. The Spring Cleanups in the Sandia Foothills, National RiverCleanup, and National Trails Day each received some of the highest volunteer turnouts we’ve seen for these events since their inception.
-
I am a paper cup. I was very useful once, but when I was no longer needed, I was discarded. Not put into a bag with other used items I was merely pitched into the Rio Grande River, just north of the Bosque where I began my lonely and rather hazardous journey. Sink or Swim!
-
Artists have always been inspired by the beauty of nature, and with over 28,000 acres of protected Open Space lands in and around Albuquerque, there ís plenty to be inspired about.
-
There is a Phoenix rising from the ashes of the Pueblo Montano fire that took place two years ago, but in the shape of an eagle. Chainsaw artist Mark Chavez,one of the firefighters who helped put out that fire in the bosque, seemed to be an imminently appropriate choice to carve sculptures into the standing dead cottonwood trees at the trailhead.
-
This edition of the Open Space News is dedicated to the memory of Jay Lee Evans.
-
Celebrating the City Open Space Division’s Outstanding Volunteers, A Message from Mayor Richard J. Berry.
-
In the spring of 2011 the City of Albuquerque’s Open Space Division (OSD) submitted a project to the “International Awards for Liveable Communities” (LivCom Awards) in Berkshire, England. Albuquerque’s submission was “Glass Gardens” Environmental Restoration and Habitat Enhancement. This year the LivCom Awards committee announced that the City of Albuquerque was one of only a few cities in the United States chosen as a fi nalist for the Project Awards. Congratulations are due to the City’s Open Space Division for receiving this important recognition.
-
Greetings from the Mayor’s Office! It is an honor to serve you as Mayor of thegreat city of Albuquerque, home to one of the best Open Space systems in thecountry and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. Our family is veryactive in outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing, and we’re so happy thatthe Open Space Division is here to offer over 29,000 acres of land for ourcommunity’s enjoyment.
-
In 1984, a new Division was formed within the City’sParks and Recreation Department. Known as the Open Space Division, its employees were charged with the responsibility of protecting and managing environmentally and culturally significant lands in and around the City of Albuquerque.
-
As I look back on 2007, it’s been one fantastic year. The Alliance continues to be a dedicated advocate for Albuquerque open space, and there have been many accomplishments throughout the year. These successes are attributable to the strong support that was achieved from Open Space Alliance (OSA) members, trail watch volunteers, and the Albuquerque Open Space Division
-
Within Tijeras Canyon exists a crossroads. Not just one for steel and rubber, but one for hoofs and fur. Tijeras Canyon has also been known as one of the worst places in the country for road kill.
-
We watched as a small group of sandhill cranes slowly circled overhead, spiraling downward with wings extended. One crane called out, as if giving directions to the others. Soon, more cranes joined the chorus, their ìgaroo-a-a-aî calls trumpeting all around us.
-
On one fall Trail Watch walk, the sound of a tractor was heard in the Bosque on the West Side north of Montano. Following it to its source, goat herder Ray Thornberg was seen riding his tractor as he pulled a trailer filled with fencing materials from one place to another. The goat herd of 450 was nearby, busily grooming the Bosque of invasive plants.
-
Summer Edition of the Open Space News.
-
Spring and summer events and the Open Space Division's 30th Anniversary.