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:

  1. Wearing face coverings in public settings except when eating, drinking, or swimming.
  2. Practicing social distancing.
  3. 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.  

  1. Trails & Parks
  2. Pools
  3. Recreation
  4. Tennis, Pickleball, and Handball
  5. Youth Services
  6. Remote Control Track & Airport
  7. Butterfield Shooting Range
  8. 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.