City parks remain closed but some trails, specialty areas reopen

Based on the Phase I re-opening plan of the city Parks and Recreation Department (Parks & Rec) approved by city council and aligned with Gov. 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. 

Some city trails and specialty areas began modified schedules of operation May 22. Signage with reminders stressing the importance of social distancing, proper hygiene, trash pick-up and other tips is posted. Restrooms and water fountains are not available.

Complete information and rules are available at www.las-cruces.org/COVID19ParkSchedule.

All players and participants must bring their own water and personal protective equipment.

Pickleball and tennis

• Apodaca Park pickleball courts, 801 E. Madrid Ave., open 8 a.m.-noon and 5-9 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Play is limited to two courts.
• Lions Park tennis courts, 701 W. Picacho Ave. Play is limited to six courts.

Both facilities are open 8 a.m.-noon and 5-9 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Court sessions are limited to 45 minutes with 15 minutes between sessions. Players must bring their own water and their own personal protective equipment. Play is limited to singles or doubles play.

Other facilities

• Remote Control (RC) Track, 1453 E. Hadley Ave., will be open 9 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The track will have a limit of four cars at one time. Racers will not enter until all racers from the previous session have cleared the track.
• RC Airport, located in the Las Cruces Foothills Landfill, 555 S. Sonoma Ranch Blvd., will be open 9 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The airfield will have a limit of three pilots during open sessions. Pilots will not be assigned to a runway until pilots from the previous session have cleared the runway. Participants must wear a mask and gloves to enter through the Foothills Landfill to get to the RC Airport.
• Butterfield Shooting Range, 3400 Frontage Road, 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 be required while onsite.

Parks & Rec will move into Phase II of its re-opening strategy with a target date of mid-to-late June. 

Specialty areas, parks and facilities that will remain closed until further notice are all city parks (no services, including water fountains and restrooms), Skate Park, BMX track, Dog Park, athletic ballfields, East Mesa Recreation Center, Frank O’Brien Papen Center, Meerscheidt Recreation Center, Regional Aquatic Center and Frenger Pool.

Operational closures until further notice include sports practice, league play and tournaments on all city facilities (athletic fields); parks permitting to prevent gatherings; all youth and adult programming; all fitness classes; and Juvenile Citation Program and Keep Las Cruces Beautiful Program activities. Administration offices also remain closed. 

For more information, visit las-cruces.org/COVID19ParkSchedule. Contact Parks & Rec at 575-541-2550 and at www.CLCEngage@las-cruces.org.