The City of Las Cruces Parks and Recreation Department will revert to its Phase Two COVID-19 reopening plan beginning December 3 with a few adjustments to meet the directives outlined under the New Mexico Office of the Governor’s Red to Green Framework presented at the November 30 news conference. (https://cv.nmhealth.org/public-health-orders-and-executive-orders/red-to-green/)
City Parks and Trails
All city parks and trails, including the skate park, tennis and pickleball courts, and dog park will open on December 3 with New Mexico State Public Health Order restrictions (https://cv.nmhealth.org/public-health-orders-and-executive-orders/) still in place including wearing face masks, practicing social distancing, and limiting gatherings to five or fewer. The shooting range will open on Friday, December 4. (Lions Park tennis courts, 701 W. Picacho Ave., and Young Park tennis courts, 850 S. Walnut St., will remain closed due to ongoing General Obligation (GO) Bond project construction.)
Pools
The Las Cruces Aquatics Center, 1401 E. Hadley Ave., and Frenger Pool, 800 Parkview Dr., will remain closed pending annual inspections by the New Mexico Environment Department which have been delayed by the pandemic restrictions. Further updates will be forthcoming as the situation develops.
Recreation Centers and Programs
All recreation programs and facilities will remain closed with the exception of Grab-and-Go meals with Youth Services, which will continue from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. at the following locations.
- A. Fielder Memorial Safe Haven building, 906 N. Tornillo St.
- Meerscheidt Recreation Center, 1600 E. Hadley Ave.
- Henry R. Benavidez Center, 1045 McClure Rd.
- East Mesa Recreation Center, 5589 Porter Dr.
- Frank O’Brien Papen Community Center, 304 Bell Ave.
Out-of-School Time Programs (OST) tutoring services remain suspended pending further directives under essential guidelines. For more information, call 575/541-2610 or 528-4247 or email ParksandRecAdmin@las-cruces.org.
Keep Las Cruces Beautiful (KLCB) program remains closed but will provide clean-up supplies free of charge for individuals or small groups doing a voluntary clean-up. Supplies can be picked up in person from 8–10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Frank O’Brien Papen Community Center, 304 W. Bell St. (look for the KLCB canopy) or call 575/312-0531 to request. Work with the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) mural project, which is a qualified essential work project, will continue.
Sports practice, league play, and tournaments on all City facilities (athletic fields and parks) remain closed per the Governor’s public health order. Fitness classes are also suspended until restrictions are lifted. Permits for parks and recreational events are not being issued due to restrictions on group gatherings. Administration offices are closed to the public.
Complete COVID-19 related updates can be found at www.las-cruces.org/COVID19ParkSchedule. To contact the Parks and Recreation Department Administration Offices, call 575/541-2550 or email at ParksandRecAdmin@las-cruces.org.