Parks & Recreation Upcoming Events

View upcoming events from the Parks and Recreation Department.

Accepting Nature Haiku Submissions NOW through January 31, 2026!

Jan 02, 2026 to Jan 31, 2026 — Open Space Visitor Center —

Announcing an open call for submissions of short 1–3-line nature poems (haiku or haiku-like) from New Mexico poets for the annual Poets’ Picnic at the Open Space Visitor Center on the west side of Albuquerque, Saturday, May 2, 2026. This is a free event, open to the public. The day will include poetry readings, workshops, music, food, books, and more in a beautiful location. Dale Harris and Scott Wiggerman are again making selections of poetry for this unique celebration.

Family Nature Club: Carving out History (all ages)

Jan 10, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM — Rinconada Canyon Trailhead —

Join an Open Space educator for a family-friendly hike and engage in hands-on learning together as a family, listen to natural history fun facts, enjoy storytelling, and seek out wildlife.

Community Biochar Workshop

Jan 17, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM — Open Space Visitor Center —

Join us for this Free community event!

Reading Room Rumble: Central and Unser Library

Jan 17, 2026 from 11:00 AM to 05:00 PM — Central and Unser Library Community Room —

Reading Room Rumble is your free local video game tournament hosted by Parks and Recreation! Parent/Guardian supervision required for ages 12 and under.

From Bowerbirds to Beautiful Quilts: An Artist’s Journey

Jan 24, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM — Open Space Visitor Center —

Don't miss this free event!

West Gallery Exhibit, VAST: Under New Mexico Skies by Janet Bothne.

Jan 24, 2026 02:00 PM to Mar 07, 2026 04:00 PM — Open Space Visitor Center —

Janet Bothne has been “weaving” color into bold, abstract paintings for over two decades. Her artistic journey began early, evolving from realistic works in watercolor, oil, and pastel to fully imaginative abstract paintings in acrylic. This shift allowed her work to flourish, leading her to pursue art full time after a career in graphic design.