Latest news with #DaveSimon
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Both embankment slides now open at Albuquerque's Juan Tabo Hills Park
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – After two years and multiple delays, both embankment slides at Juan Tabo Hills Park are finally open to the public. The city celebrated the opening of the second slide Saturday, thanks in part to a determined local 10-year-old named Benny Metzger. Benny, who recently celebrated his birthday, was the first to ride down the long-awaited yellow tube slide. 'I have literally never been the guest of honor at a place, ever, in my whole entire life,' Bennie said. His big moment came after he wrote a letter to Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Director Dave Simon, asking when the slide would finally be fixed. South Valley Youth Initiative brings resources to 'underserved' area 'I would appreciate it very much if the yellow tube slide could be fixed or replaced before this summer. Thank you for considering this matter. Sincerely, Benny.' Benny Metzger (partial quote from his letter) 'I thought, maybe they've forgotten about it, or maybe the contract is taking longer than expected,' Benny explained. His letter helped shine a spotlight on the unfinished project, part of a more than half-a-million-dollar investment in the park. The first of the two slides opened to the public last year. City officials said delays in equipment delivery and additional safety modifications pushed back the second opening. What cockroaches do we have in Albuquerque? 'Our number one goal was to make a slide that was incredibly fun and exciting—but safe for children,' said Parks and Recreation Director Dave Simon. Now, both slides are open and ready for kids to enjoy. Bennie's review? 'You just go through it, and you don't know where the light is, and then you're like—ahhh!' he exclaimed. The city reminds the public that while the slides are built for fun, they are designed specifically for children, not teens or adults. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Residents get first-time look at newly renovated Phil Chacon Park
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A popular park in the International District has been brought back to life, as city officials unveiled the new Phil Chacon Park this weekend. 'Good morning, Albuquerque. Welcome back to Phil Chacon Park!' exclaimed Dave Simon, Director of Albuquerque's Parks and Recreation Department. For three years, the park has been closed as the city worked to make some major improvements. 'The tide is turning in District 6,' said Nicole Rogers, Albuquerque City Councilor for the area where the park is located. Community members say they've been waiting for this announcement. 'It's pretty nice, good for the kids,' said Chris Tobal Carrera, a visitor at the park. 'It has them active instead of being indoors.' Hundreds pack Albuquerque park for May Day Rally 'I like doing BMX because it's fun and it entertains me and stuff, and I've [been] riding for like eight years now,' said Hannah, a bike rider who tried at the new BMX pump track. The multimillion-dollar transformation includes new amenities like two new softball fields, a new playground, and much more. 'I think it's fun for kids to be out and running around on their bike,' said Liliana, a visitor at the park. The park was closed back in 2022 after the city decided to give it a facelift. At one point, it had become a point of contention, after parents in the area reported that homeless people were going onto the nearby Van Buren Middle School Campus from the park. They also raised concerns about the amount of trash and needles at the park. New study ask for feedback to improve 8th Street & Robinson Park in Albuquerque Officials are confident their new approach will keep the park safe. 'All three watches have been directed by myself that they are going to be doing foot patrols through here, so they'll be parking, walking over to the substation, going through the park at various times every day of the week,' said Josh Richards, Commander of Albuquerque's Southeast Area Command for Albuquerque's Police Department. Though law enforcement involvement will play a big part in keeping the park safe, officials are asking community members to help keep the park clean. 'If you're here and your dog goes number two in the park, pick it up,' Councilor Rogers said. 'If you're here and you're having a picnic and there's trash, pick it up.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Yahoo
Park honoring fallen APD officer Phil Chacon reopens after two years of renovations
May 3—On Saturday morning at Phil Chacon Park, kids were playing inside a dragon-shaped, shaded playground. Adults walked their furry loved ones in the dog park or rode their bikes on a pump track. As they enjoyed the sunny, spring weather, city of Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Director Dave Simon welcomed them back. The International District park along Louisiana SE, north of Gibson, had been closed since 2023 because of renovations. "I'm so happy," resident Katie Hall said. "I've been waiting two years for it to open up." The park is named after Albuquerque Police Department officer Phil Chacon, who was fatally shot while responding to an armed robbery in 1980. Chacon's daughter, Denise Chacon, was 10 years old at the time. "My dad was all about community," she told the Journal, "and for a park to be named after him is the greatest tribute that could be made in his honor." The renovations, she added, meant everything to her and her family. The $9.7 million worth of work included a renovated turf field for futsal — a variation of soccer played with a heavier ball — a new disc golf course, a walking path, a community garden, a dog park and an expanded playground. An art walk will be added that will include pieces "designed for children and youth that reflect the diverse cultural heritage of the International District," Simon said. "(The park) is an open space where we can gather our families, enjoy the fresh grass and take our pets," Hall said. "I think this really is good for the community's morale because we've had so many hard times here lately." Another park feature is a BMX pump track, which is designed to be ridden by pumping, not pedaling or pushing, using a series of rollers, berms and banked turns to generate speed and momentum. Instead of having to drive to Bernalillo to practice on a pump track with his 13-year-old son, Craig Berry said he can now stay in the city. Funding for the park's renovations came from a variety of sources, including the American Rescue Plan Act, Community Development Block Grant program, impact fees, state capital outlay funds, the city's general fund and the New Mexico Finance Authority, whose contribution is going toward a new irrigation system. Phil Chacon Park "just needed some love and needed some rejuvenation" that will ensure it is going to benefit a couple of generations of Burqueños, Simon said. The improvements are really exciting, especially for youth who now have a place to go, resident Genevieve San Miguel said. Hopefully, it will keep them off the streets, she said. As visitors strolled the park and listened to a performance from New Mexico Taiko, a guest used colored chalk to draw a message on the sidewalk that read: "Thank you."
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Yahoo
Park honoring fallen APD officer Phil Chacon reopens after two years of renovations
May 3—On Saturday morning at Phil Chacon Park, kids were playing inside a dragon-shaped, shaded playground. Adults walked their furry loved ones in the dog park or rode their bikes on a pump track. As they enjoyed the sunny, spring weather, city of Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Director Dave Simon welcomed them back. The International District park along Louisiana SE, north of Gibson, had been closed since 2023 because of renovations. "I'm so happy," resident Katie Hall said. "I've been waiting two years for it to open up." The park is named after Albuquerque Police Department officer Phil Chacon, who was fatally shot while responding to an armed robbery in 1980. Chacon's daughter, Denise Chacon, was 10 years old at the time. "My dad was all about community," she told the Journal, "and for a park to be named after him is the greatest tribute that could be made in his honor." The renovations, she added, meant everything to her and her family. The $9.7 million worth of work included a renovated turf field for futsal — a variation of soccer played with a heavier ball — a new disc golf course, a walking path, a community garden, a dog park and an expanded playground. An art walk will be added that will include pieces "designed for children and youth that reflect the diverse cultural heritage of the International District," Simon said. "(The park) is an open space where we can gather our families, enjoy the fresh grass and take our pets," Hall said. "I think this really is good for the community's morale because we've had so many hard times here lately." Another park feature is a BMX pump track, which is designed to be ridden by pumping, not pedaling or pushing, using a series of rollers, berms and banked turns to generate speed and momentum. Instead of having to drive to Bernalillo to practice on a pump track with his 13-year-old son, Craig Berry said he can now stay in the city. Funding for the park's renovations came from a variety of sources, including the American Rescue Plan Act, Community Development Block Grant program, impact fees, state capital outlay funds, the city's general fund and the New Mexico Finance Authority, whose contribution is going toward a new irrigation system. Phil Chacon Park "just needed some love and needed some rejuvenation" that will ensure it is going to benefit a couple of generations of Burqueños, Simon said. The improvements are really exciting, especially for youth who now have a place to go, resident Genevieve San Miguel said. Hopefully, it will keep them off the streets, she said. As visitors strolled the park and listened to a performance from New Mexico Taiko, a guest used colored chalk to draw a message on the sidewalk that read: "Thank you."
