Roosevelt Park (Albuquerque, New Mexico) facts for kids
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Roosevelt Park
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Roosevelt Park in 2009
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 Location in New Mexico
Location in the United States
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| Location | 500 Spruce St. SE Albuquerque, New Mexico |
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| Area | 14 acres (5.7 ha) |
| Built | 1935 |
| Architect | C.E. "Bud" Hollied |
| NRHP reference No. | 96001384 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 22, 1996 |
Roosevelt Park is a special historic park located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is recognized as an important place by the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties and the National Register of Historic Places. It is also a protected Albuquerque Historic Landmark.
This park was created between 1933 and 1935. Workers hired through President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs transformed a sandy, trash-filled ditch into a beautiful, green space. They planted over 2,000 trees and bushes. For many years, Roosevelt Park has been a favorite spot for people in the city to gather and have fun. The park received a big update and renovation in 2006 and 2007.
What Makes Roosevelt Park Special?
Roosevelt Park covers about 14 acres of land. It is located south of Coal Avenue, between Spruce and Maple Streets. The park's northern edge is next to city streets. A paved road, now closed to cars, surrounds the southern part.
The park's land is quite unique. It has many dips and hills, with most of the park sitting lower than the streets around it. The difference between the lowest and highest points is about 50 feet (15 meters). Tall Siberian elm trees, some as high as 80 feet (24 meters), form the main tree cover. You can also find juniper, blue spruce, and catalpa trees and bushes throughout the park.
Visitors to Roosevelt Park can enjoy a fun playground and a disc golf course.
How the Park Was Built
In the 1930s, the city of Albuquerque was growing quickly. Many new homes were being built east of Downtown. People wanted a park in these new eastern neighborhoods. Clyde Tingley, who was in charge of the City Commission, strongly supported the idea. He loved creating parks and improving the city.
Tingley helped gather the land for the park. He convinced a developer to donate one block of land. He also got an area from the Albuquerque Public Schools. The chosen spot was a sandy ditch, or arroyo, that had been used as a place to dump trash.
The park was built from 1933 to 1935. Local workers were hired through special government programs. These programs, like the Civil Works Administration (CWA), Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA), and Works Progress Administration (WPA), were part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. They helped people find jobs during a difficult economic time.
The entire project cost about $120,000. Crews of up to 300 men worked with shovels and wheelbarrows. They reshaped the sandy arroyo into the park you see today. The park's design was created by C. Edmund "Bud" Hollied. He was a landscape architect who had moved to Albuquerque. Hollied designed a beautiful, rolling landscape. He chose plants like Siberian elms that grow well in dry climates. The park was first called Terrace Park, but it was renamed Roosevelt Park in 1934.
Park Challenges and Improvements
Roosevelt Park has always been a popular spot for people to gather. However, during the 1960s and 70s, it faced some challenges. There were concerns about safety and disturbances, especially at night. In 1965, people living nearby asked for better lighting and a curfew. They reported loud noises and calls for help after dark.
To help with these issues, the Albuquerque Police Department started a special "park patrol" unit. Sometimes, there were disagreements between the police and park visitors. In 1971, an incident involving police and teenagers led to a larger disturbance that spread across the city.
In 1992, another well-known event happened during a barbecue hosted by rapper MC Hammer. By 2003, the park still needed a lot of care. Its physical condition had gotten worse, and some residents still felt it was not safe.
Because of these concerns, the city started a big renovation project. They spent $2 million to improve the park. This project included trimming trees, installing a new watering system, adding a playground, and creating a jogging path. The landscaping was also updated. The work took 10 months and was finished in the summer of 2007.
Roosevelt Park continues to be a place where people gather for community events and even peaceful demonstrations, such as a large event against police actions in 2014.
