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COVID-19 Park Schedules and Rules
The City of Las Cruces Parks and Recreation Department it's operating under its Phase Two COVID-19 reopening plan, meeting all directives outlined under the New Mexico Office of the Governor’s Red to Green Framework. (https://cv.nmhealth.org/public-health-orders-and-executive-orders/red-to-green/).
New Mexico State Public Health Order safety mandates still in place include:
- Wearing face coverings in public settings except when eating, drinking, or swimming.
- Practicing social distancing.
- Limiting the numbers of people gathering to 5 or fewer. (Violations can be reported to Covid-19, enforcement@state.nm.us. Provide name of location and address if possible.)
The following information is current as of Tuesday January 13, 2021:
City Parks and Trails
All city parks and trails, including the skate park, tennis and pickleball courts and dog park will open on December 3 with New Mexico State Public Health Order restrictions (https://cv.nmhealth.org/public-health-orders-and-executive-orders/) still in place including wearing face masks, practicing social distancing, and limiting gatherings to five or fewer. The shooting range will open on Friday, December 4. (Lions Park tennis courts, 701 W. Picacho Ave., and Young Park tennis courts, 850 S. Walnut St., will remain closed due to ongoing General Obligation (GO) Bond project construction.)
Pools
The Las Cruces Aquatics Center, 1401 E. Hadley Ave., and Frenger Pool, 800 Parkview Dr., will reopen December 9 with the COVID Phase 2 plan already in place in accordance with the Governor’s Emergency Public Health Order Red Framework and New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) safe practices.
Limited use of the facilities is aligned with public health order directives and the NMDOH guidelines, which include limiting the numbers of people gathering, wearing face coverings except while swimming, and practicing social distancing. Customer temperatures will be checked before access to facilities.
Reservations are taken by phone call only by calling 575/541-2782.(Online reservations are not available due to the limited capacity.) Pool rentals are not currently available.
Go to the Pool tab below for hours of operation and other information.
Recreation Centers and Programs
All recreation programs and facilities will remain closed with the exception of Grab-and-Go meals with Youth Services, which will continue from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. at the following locations.
- A. Fielder Memorial Safe Haven building, 906 N. Tornillo St.
- Meerscheidt Recreation Center, 1600 E. Hadley Ave.
- Henry R. Benavidez Center, 1045 McClure Rd.
- East Mesa Recreation Center, 5589 Porter Dr.
- Frank O’Brien Papen Community Center, 304 Bell Ave.
Out-of-School Time Programs (OST) tutoring services remain suspended pending further directives under essential guidelines. For more information, call 575/541-2610 or 528-4247 or email ParksandRecAdmin@las-cruces.org.
Keep Las Cruces Beautiful (KLCB) program remains closed but work with the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) mural project, which is a qualified essential work project, will continue.
Sports practice, league play, and tournaments on all City facilities (athletic fields and parks) remain closed per the Governor’s public health order. Fitness classes are also suspended until restrictions are lifted. Permits for parks and recreational events are not being issued due to restrictions on group gatherings. Administration offices are closed to public.
- Trails & Parks
- Pools
- Recreation
- Tennis, Pickleball, and Handball
- Youth Services
- Remote Control Track & Airport
- Butterfield Shooting Range
- Current Status
All City trails and parks are open.
The public is asked to follow the guidelines below to create a safe environment for everyone.
- Wear a mask in all public places, even while exercising.
- Keep a minimum of 6 feet apart from others. No physical contact.
- Do not gather in groups of more than five.
- Avoid mass gatherings. Per the Governor’s public order, a “’mass gathering’ means any public gathering, private gathering, organized event, ceremony, parade, organized amateur contact sport, or other grouping that brings together more than five individuals in in a single room or connected space, confined outdoor space or an open outdoor space.”
- To observe social distancing while on trails, warn other users of your presence and step aside to let others pass.
- Practice safe hygiene – wash hands, carry hand sanitizer, cover your mouth & nose while sneezing or coughing.
- Participants must dispose of their trash.
Restrooms are open where available.
Water fountains and play areas will remain closed per recommendations of NMDOH safe practices (https://cv.nmhealth.org/covid-safe-practices/). Come prepared with your own water.
Trails and parks are subject to closure if guidelines are not followed.
For more information about City trails, go to Trails.
POOLS will reopen December 9.
PROCESS FOR USING POOLS WILL CONTINUE AS FOLLOWS WHEN FACILITIES REOPEN:
Frenger Pool and the Regional Aquatic Center (RAC) are open with limited access. Frenger Pool is open for lap swimming by reservation only. The Regional Aquatic Center (RAC) will open for lap swimming, channel use, and upstairs gym use, also by reservation. (Reservations allow employees to schedule decontamination cleaning according to use.)
Limited use of the facilities is aligned with directives from New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s extended public health emergency order and the New Mexico Department of Health guidelines, which include limiting the numbers of people gathering, wearing face coverings except while eating, drinking or swimming, and practicing social distancing.
Customer temperatures will be checked before entering facilities.
Reservations are taken by phone call only by calling 575/541-2782.(Online reservations are not available due to the limited capacity.) Pool rentals are not currently available.
The reservation process and restrictions are as follows:
- A 24-hour advance window will be provided prior to each day for reservation.
- Lap lanes, channel lane, and gym will be available in 45-minute sessions.
- Customers will have their temperature taken by a staff member stationed at the front door. Members of the public with a temperature of over 100.4°will not be allowed in the facility.
- Swimmers younger than 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult, 18 years or older, swimming in the adjacent lane.
- Only one reservation per day.
- One person per lane.
- Gym limit is 12 customers per hour/session. Sessions are limited to 45 minutes. Patrons must wear masks while exercising.
- Cancellation of reservation is requested at least one hour before scheduled session.
Fall/Winter Hours
Las Cruces Regional Aquatic Center - Pool sessions offered by reservation only. All current COVID-19 guidelines are still in place. Reservations can be made 24 hours in advance by calling 575/541-2782.
Fall/Winter Hours:
7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. – 7:00 pm. Saturday
Frenger Pool – Pool sessions offered by reservation only. All current COVID-19 guidelines are still in place. Reservations can be made 24 hours in advance by calling 575/541-2782.
Fall/Winter Hours:
6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Monday - Friday
Closed Saturday
Sunday: All facilities closed
Fees for both Frenger Pool and the RAC are $2.00 per session ($1.00 for 60 years and older). Passes purchased at the RAC can be used.
Outdoor Pools and Spashpads/Fountain
- Outdoor city pools will remain closed until further notice.
- Splash pads/fountains will remain closed.
Pool Inspections - Inquiries about pool inspections can be directed to the New Mexico Environment Department by email to aquatics.program@state.nm.us, phone at 505/222-9500 or local office, 575/288-2050.
Recreation Centers and Facilities are currently closed per current Governor's public health order.
Please check back for updates.
Open Courts:
- All city courts are available for open play.
- Lions Park Tennis Courts and Young Park Tennis Courts remain closed due to General Obligation (GO) Bond project construction.
- Hours are dusk to dawn except where lighting is available.
Court Guidelines:
- Participants will be required to wear a mask and practice social distancing.
- Groups are limited to five or fewer.
- Participants must bring their own racquets, balls, water and towels.
- Gathering/socializing in the parking lot in large groups is not be permitted.
- Restrooms are open.
- Bring your own water. Water fountains remain closed per New Mexico Department of Health safe practices.
Tutoring and learning services through the Out-of-School Time Programs (OST) remain suspended pending essential service directives.
Grab-and-Go meals will continue from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. at the following locations.
- A. Fielder Memorial Safe Haven building, 906 N. Tornillo St.
- Meerscheidt Recreation Center, 1600 E. Hadley Ave.
- Henry R. Benavidez Center, 1045 McClure Rd.
- East Mesa Recreation Center, 5589 Porter Dr.
- Frank O’Brien Papen Community Center, 304 Bell Ave.
Diversion and Development Program
The Diversion and Development Program is an alternative program for youth who may need assistance being diverted from the Juvenile Justice System. Located at 890 N. Tornillo St., the Learning Center provides a foundation of hope, resiliency, and consequences through facilitated life skills, parent-youth, guest speaker, gender-specific classes and community service opportunities. While in the program girls will become empowered, confidence will be built, and building skills for healthy relationship will be established. Boys in the program will receive guidance that promotes a healthy passage through pre-teen and adolescents’ years, talk about consequences as per actions, the importance of taking responsibility, what it means to be “Men of Honor”. Youth and families through staff facilitation will receive positive mentorship, strong guidance, and evidence-based curriculum. They will gain a first-hand experience how everyone can celebrate their own diversity, make better choices, and create better outcomes. Please call, 575/541-2349 for more information.
Keep Las Cruces Beautiful
Want to volunteer to clean an area in or near a neighborhood, a location identified within the city, or a part of the city that needs attention? Contact Keep Las Cruces Beautiful (KLCB) to request trash bags, gloves, safety vests, and pick-up tools free of charge for individuals or groups doing a voluntary clean-up. Supplies can be picked up in person from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Frank O’Brien Papen Community Center, 304 W. Bell St. (look for the KLCB canopy) or call 575/312-0531 to request supplies, receive a location in need of assistance, or to report an area for litter removal or graffiti abatement.
REMOTE CONTROL TRACK SESSIONS:
Regular hours, dawn to dusk.
Guidlines:
- Social Distancing will be practiced during operational hours of the RC track.
- Wear face coverings in public settings except when eating, drinking, or swimming.
- Entering, waiting, exiting the track - All racers will be required to stand in line prior to receiving a car and remote and stand at the marked spaces designated to follow the Governors social distancing requirements.
- Racers will not enter until all racers from previous session have cleared the track.
- Anyone choosing to wait for their turn to use the RC track if full is asked to practice social distancing.
REMOTE CONTROL AIRPORT SESSIONS:
Regular hours - Dawn to Dusk.
Max participants: Three (pilots)
Guidlines:
- Participants are required to wear both a mask and gloves to enter through the Foothills Landfill to get to the RC Airport. No exceptions.
- Entering, waiting, exiting the Runway - All Pilots will be required to stand in line prior to receiving clearance and stand at the designated space in line with the Governors social distancing requirements.
- Pilots will not be assigned to a runway until Pilot from previous session have cleared the runway.
- Social Distancing will be practiced during operational hours.
- All Remote flying rules and requirements will be enforced
SHOOTING RANGE SESSIONS
Open dawn to dusk every day except Thursday. Sessions are first come first serve.
No permit requests are being taken at this time.
Rules:
- One vehicle per bay or 5 individuals max per bay.
- All individuals using shooting range must practice social distancing.
- Wear face coverings in public settings except when eating or drinking.
- If patron chooses to wait until next available bay, please remain in your vehicle.
Meerscheidt Recreation Center, Frank O’Brien Community Center, and East Mesa Recreation Center are closed per Governor public health order directives.
Athletic fields remain closed for leagues and associations.
Out-of-School Time Programs (OST) - Tutoring services are currently pending. Call 575/541-2610, 528-4247 or email ParksandRecAdmin@las-cruces.org for more information.
Keep Las Cruces Beautiful (KLCB) Program activities are on hold under the current public health order.
Operational Closure Status
- Sports practice, league play, and tournaments on all city facilities (athletic fields and parks) remain closed per Governor’s public health order.
- Parks and recreational permits are not being issued due to restrictions on group gatherings.
- Youth and adult programming remain closed.
- Fitness classes remain closed.
- Administration offices are closed to public.