The City of Española did not let unexpected cold temperatures and rain get in the way of celebrating the grand re-opening of the Veteran’s Memorial Wall Park on April 5.
The day was filled with smiles and excitement, as Mayor John Ramon Vigil and other community leaders cut the ribbon in front of the new neon playground equipment, surrounded by smiling children excited to begin playing.
Vigil said that the project cost about $500,000.
“The park is heavily used by the community and we are excited to do a major overhaul to this community facility,” Vigil said.
This project, and several others set to be completed by the end of Fiscal Year 2025, in the lead-up to the city’s Centennial Fiesta scheduled in September, were funded by Los Alamos County.
In August 2024, Los Alamos County awarded the City of Española $2,415,000 as part of its Progress Through Partnering program, Vigil said in an email.
According to Los Alamos County’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget, this program contributes to things like the North Central Regional Transit District and funds Capital Outlay projects as requested by Española and Rio Arriba County.
The Veteran’s Memorial Park was originally budgeted at $414,800, according to the city’s funding request. Vigil said the project came in over budget, costing about $500,000.
The funds will also pay for a park and walking path around the water tower on La Joya Street. This project, budgeted at $1.4 million, is supposed to include solar lighting, a new playground and shade structures.
Leftover funds from these projects will be used to renovate a historic home located at 709 E. Bond St. The city council passed a resolution in July to acquire the property. Once complete, the home will be the permanent office for the Department of Social Services.
Other funds
While funds from Los Alamos County covered the costs for the upgrades at the Veteran’s Memorial Park and the others to be completed by the end of Fiscal Year 2025, the city is not able to fund the same level of upkeep and maintenance in all of its districts.
During the April 8 council meeting, Vigil said the city continues to look for funding to cover other park projects, specifically citing an Astroturf project at the Veterans Memorial Park.
District 4 City Councilor Sam LeDoux said he is concerned about funding for parks on the city’s east side.
“I am extremely glad that Los Alamos has given us the ability to address the sorely needed upgrades to our parks, but it is extremely frustrating to see Ranchitos Park continuously put on the back burner when money for its upgrades has been approved for years,” he said in a telephone interview.
According to a project status report presented at the most recent Public Works Committee meeting on March 4, two Ranchitos Park projects are listed as “ongoing.”
The first project is listed as being funded by a Community Development Block Grant and its Request for Proposal is in development. The second project is listed as being funded by money allocated by District 40 State Rep. Joseph Sanchez, D-Colfax, Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel and Taos, for asphalt work. Neither project has an anticipated completion date listed.
Christopher Archuleta, a community volunteer who oversees the Española Veteran’s Memorial Wall just down the street from the Veteran’s Memorial Park, said he has approached City Manager Eric Lujan for maintenance funds since at least April 2024.
Lujan said during the April 8 Council meeting that he appreciates Archuleta’s efforts and that the city is looking for funding for wall maintenance, as well as other clean-up projects across the city.
There is a lot of vandalism in the area, Archuleta said, and there is lots of trash and drug paraphernalia left around the wall, along with graffiti.
Positive community partnership
While difficulty in finding funding has created tension between people like Archuleta and members of the city council, it has also helped create unexpected opportunities for healing.
Archuleta said it is often volunteers who come through to help, and that he recently partnered with Darrin’s Place Behavioral Health, a local substance abuse rehabilitation program, to beautify the area around the Memorial Wall.
Darrin’s Place Executive Director Suzanne Lujan said in a telephone interview, that she heard Archuleta speak at a city council meeting about needing support and she reached out to coordinate a community service event.
It is a positive and empowering opportunity for the people attending the program, Lujan said.
“When you’re in recovery, helping other people helps your recovery, so it is important for them to feel like they are helping out,” Lujan said. “That’s like the highlight of their stay with us, so they’re eager to get out there and do more work.”
Lujan said she plans to continue partnering with Archuleta and that she has also reached out to local cemeteries to coordinate other clean-ups.
“We really want to get the word about Darrin’s Place out to the community because we have a lot of amazing and positive things going on, and it’s all to benefit this community and serve these clients,” Lujan said.