Based on the Phase I re-opening plan of the City’s Parks and Recreation Department approved by City Council and aligned with New Mexico’s Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s extended public health emergency order and public safety guidelines, all city parks will be closed for the Memorial Day Holiday, except for a few specialty areas and trails.
Beginning today, Friday, May 22 specialty areas and trails will have modified schedules that affect hours and days of use. Signage with reminders stressing the importance of social distancing, proper hygiene, trash pick-up and other tips will be posted along the City trails and specialty areas. Restrooms and water fountains will not be available. Complete information and rules are available at las-cruces.org/COVID19ParkSchedule.
“We are excited to be able to re-open these areas to the community but want everyone to remain vigilant about staying safe and healthy,” said Sonya Delgado, Parks & Recreation Department Director. “Keeping trails open and re-opening more areas depends on all of us working together to create a safe environment.”
Schedules & Modified Usage
Apodaca Park pickleball courts, 801 E. Madrid Avenue, will be open from 8 a.m. to noon and 5 – 9 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Pickleball participation will be kept to singles or doubles play on a maximum of two courts at Apodaca Park only. Court sessions will be limited to 45 minutes of play with 15 minutes between. Players must bring their own water, and their own personal protective equipment as required.
Lions Park tennis courts, 701 W. Picacho Avenue, will be open from 8 a.m. to noon and 5 – 9 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Tennis participation will be kept to singles or doubles play on a maximum of six courts at Lions Park only. Court sessions will be limited to 45 minutes of play with 15 minutes between. Players must bring their own water, and their own personal protective equipment as required.
The Remote Control (RC) Track, 1453 E. Hadley, will be open from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The track will have a limit of up to four cars at one time. Racers will not enter until all racers from previous session have cleared the track. Participants must bring their own water, and their own personal protective equipment as required. The RC airport, located in the Las Cruces Foothills Landfill, 555 S. Sonoma Ranch Blvd., will be open from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The airfield will have a limit of up to three pilots during open sessions. Pilots will not be assigned to a runway until pilot from the previous session have cleared the runway. Participants must bring their own water, and their own personal protective equipment as required. Participants are required to wear both a mask and gloves to enter through the Foothills Landfill to get to the RC Airport. No exceptions.
Butterfield Shooting Range, 3400 Frontage Road, will be open from 8 – 11 a.m. and 5 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Participants are limited to five per bay or one vehicle per bay. All users will be limited to a 90-minute session. Face coverings and social distancing will also be required while onsite.
The Parks and Recreation Department will move into Phase II of its re-opening strategy with a target date of possibly mid-to-late June.
Specialty areas, parks and facilities that will remain closed until further notice:
All City parks (no services including water fountains and restrooms.)
Skate Park
BMX Track
Dog Park
Athletic Ballfields
East Mesa Recreation Center, 5589 Porter Dr., Frank O’Brien Papen Center, 304 Bell Ave. and Meerscheidt Recreation Center, 1600 E. Hadley Ave.
Regional Aquatic Center, 1401 E. Hadley Ave.
Frenger Swimming Pool, 800 Parkview Dr.
Operational closures until further notice:
Sports practice, league play, and tournaments on all City facilities (athletic fields).
Parks permitting to prevent gatherings in parks
All youth and adult programming
All fitness classes
Juvenile Citation Program (JCP) activities
Keep Las Cruces Beautiful (KLCB) Program activities
Administration offices are closed
For more information, visit las-cruces.org/COVID19ParkSchedule. Contact Parks & Recreation Department Administration Offices 575/541-2550 or email at CLCEngage@las-cruces.org.
City of Las Cruces news releases are available on the home page of the City website at las-cruces.org under News & Announcements and can be translated into Spanish and multiple other languages using the Select Language feature on the lower right side of the page.