Highlights from the Week of April 4, 2022
There's a lot going on in the City Different!
Parks Division Springs into Action with Lots of Upgrades
“WE ARE EXCITED to make these immediate upgrades to our parks,” said Parks and Open Space Division Director Melissa McDonald in announcing a slew of improvements that are getting underway.

“We’re starting with Herb Martinez Park tennis courts and working our way through all the city courts," she added. "We also are set to install new sod at the Plaza, where the drought has damaged the grass. There are some great changes happening at the Municipal Recreation Complex, as well."

And that's just for starters!

McDonald announced several more projects that are happening all over town that will enhance recreation and fitness opportunities and beautify our public spaces in sustainable, eco-friendly ways.

Medians: For weed control, we are purchasing new commercial-grade mowers that will allow us to cover more area and reduce labor costs. 

Ragle Park: A new slide and play area is on schedule to be installed next month and completion is expected by the middle of June.

SWAN Park: The 18-hole Disc Golf course is nearly completed and will be open for play soon. A Keith Haring Fitness court is currently open and some additional landscape work surrounding it is being completed now. A virtual community meeting is set for April 26 at 5:30 p.m., to solicit public input about desired amenities for the next phase of SWAN Park development.

Alvarado Park: A pollinator garden is planned that takes into account the needs of the insects and animals that help pollinate plant life here in Santa Fe. This is a coordinated effort with Parks and Keep Santa Fe Beautiful and volunteers. The start date for tree planting is May 6 and a bee sculpture will be installed in mid-May.

Railyard Park: We are looking forward to future funding for the Railyard Park benches and playground equipment and have budget requests for irrigation repairs in the next fiscal year.

Find more details on these projects here.
MAYOR'S NOTE:
The Generous Community
Santa Fe is not a generous community — we are The Generous Community. From our faith-based organizations to our deeply caring non-profits, from our civic-minded philanthropists to our neighbor-to-neighbor community caregivers, Santa Fe sets the standard of generosity: We take care of each other in ways large and small.
 
Examples during COVID-time have been everywhere. We have fed, clothed, and sheltered our own. We have shopped for each other and given shots to save each other. Now, as we come through COVID, the community generosity has not failed or flagged. First Presbyterian Church has sponsored a blood drive and raised $10,000 for Ukrainian relief. City Hall is awash in blue and yellow lights to show our support for that war-ravaged nation. The Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library hosted an event for Afghan refugees—and families across Santa Fe who are hosting Afghan families came to the celebration. 

Volunteers at the Animal Shelter make possible the outstanding work that goes on there for dogs and cats needing help. Neighbors look after neighbors to keep our community safe and secure. And so much more! 
Coming up on April 23 is the Great American Cleanup — follow this link to volunteer to Keep Santa Fe Beautiful.
 
There is no end to the generosity of spirit, of time, of energy, of care and even of money in Santa Fe. That’s why we are The Generous Community.
Public Works Adds People Power
The rapid hire event on March 26 was a home run: 22 offers were made and accepted for new team members in Parks, Transit, Facilities, Parking, Public Works Administration, and Recreation (lifeguards). "Filling these positions not only provides more people power to serve Santa Fe," says Public Works Director Regina Wheeler, "but it also relieves existing employees of overburden, ensuring their retention, well-being, and success."
COVID-safe City Facilities
The Facilities Division has worked throughout the pandemic to make City of Santa Fe buildings safer for members of the public and staff. A number of changes have been made to cleaning and maintenance practices, and new equipment has been introduced. These measures improve indoor air quality and reduce transmission of viruses and bacteria, making City buildings safer for all users. Find the details here.
Trials by Fire
This week, crews participated in SFFD’s annual Firefighter Physical Ability Test.
This arduous test includes multiple stations that mimic fire-ground tasks.
Participants wear their bunker coat, helmet, bunker gloves, and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Some take it further and do the course “on air” (meaning they use air supplied by their SCBA bottle, as they would inside a hazardous environment).
Summer Camp Signup Info!
The Recreation Division will again offer affordable and accessible recreational summer programs for youth 6-12 years of age, and teens 13-17. The camps run from June 6 to July 29, at various locations. 

“Join us as we spend the summer having fun, learning new skills, staying active, and making friends in a safe, secure environment,” says program manager Melissa Bustos. More registration info here.
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