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Tony Barron, Assistant Open Space Superintendent, started working for the City’s Parks and Recreation Department on November 15th, 1982. He will be retiring this fall. Here, Tony recounts some of his early experiences at the Open Space Division.

Summer Edition of the Open Space News.

April - June 2014: Volume 15, Issue 2

Spring and summer events and the Open Space Division's 30th Anniversary.

January-March 2014, Volume 15, Issue 1

This edition of the Open Space News is dedicated to the memory of Jay Lee Evans.

The City of Albuquerque Open Space Division received news from USA Weekend Magazine that its Make a Difference Day project for 2012 has been chosen for a City Award.

It’s hard to believe that summer is just about over and fall is creeping upon us. Once again we made it through fire closures and drought followed by over three inches of rain in July, with an epic storm blasting 90MPH winds. El Duende’s Pulaski needs a good sharpening after having to deal with all those trees and branches that were blocking our bosque trails.

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 March, Resource Management plans for four Open Space properties located in the East Mountain area were approved by the Bernalillo County Commission. The approved plans were for cityowned properties at Tres Pistolas, Juan Tomas, San Antonito, and Gutierrez Canyon.

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.

Celebrating the City Open Space Division’s Outstanding Volunteers, A Message from Mayor Richard J. Berry.

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.

At the end of last year the Open Space Police (OSP) were absorbed into the Albuquerque Police Department (APD). As a special unit in APD administered by Captain Mike Castro and Lieutenant Ruben Griego, the Open Space Police continue patrolling and responding to calls affecting Open Space properties and facilities.

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.

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.

I found myself one day in the Bosque (riverside forest) in the dead of winter. The leafless Cottonwoods appeared restful and barren as they store up the energy to transform themselves in the coming spring,

I was fortunate enough to get an interview with Bob Burgan on September 13, 2007. Burgan, 89, was the first director of the Parks Department when it was formed in 1954. Our talk took place in his living room as movers packed boxes. The next day he left Albuquerque after living here for 60+ years and moved to Ogden, Utah. – M.S.

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.

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

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!

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.