ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Bernalillo County has reopened Tom Tenorio Park after nearly six years of renovations, including $14.3 million in upgrades and storm water features.
The park had mostly hosted softball tournaments in recent years and had stayed closed to the public during renovations.
A 9-year-old neighborhood resident said the reopening will give families more room to use the park.
“Because we don’t have enough free space to do anything around here,” Deegan Lucero said.
Bernalillo County Parks Planning Manager John Barney said neighbors had asked when they could use the park regularly again.
“So it’s a big deal. Finally, this part is open to the community. We’ve had requests from the neighbors like, when are we going to be able to be in there on a regular basis?” Barney said.
The roughly $14.3 million renovation includes four softball fields, more parking, RV parking and batting cages.
Lt. Gov. Howie Morales said the upgrades could bring more tournaments and more spending into Bernalillo County.
“I can tell you that there’s going to be requests for tournaments to be happening every single weekend, not just one sport, with several sports that can take an opportunity and a possibility to utilize that,” Morales said. “So the return on investment is going to be significant.”
The county also hopes to secure an additional $750,000 through a general obligation bond to finish remaining improvements, including picnic and gathering areas.
What else changed?
Barney said the park also serves a storm water purpose with three drainage ponds, including one that helps with water from nearby neighborhoods and Arrinal.
“So, and the other thing that people don’t realize, there’s two drainage ponds in the back there. That takes care of the drainage. Actually, a third one over here that takes care of Arrinal, but all these neighborhoods where water ends up there as well as water from here. So that’s a big function for this facility,” Barney said.
The county has also planted more than 100 trees to help green the space.
Lucero said he looks forward to using the park with friends.
“Yeah. Because then if my friends come over, he can take my brother’s bike and we can both ride there,” Lucero said.
County leaders told KOB 4 the park will be open seven days a week from dusk to dawn.
