Urban picnicking
FIVE GREAT PLACES TO ENJOY AN URBAN PICNIC
New Mexico’s bountiful sunshine and warm temperatures create the perfect setting for an outdoor picnic. Escaping to a park for the day is nice but Albuquerque also has plenty of spaces for an urban picnic close to home, work or even shopping. Following are a list of places to sit down, enjoy the great outdoors and have a picnic.
1 CIVIC PLAZA The plaza is in the heart of Downtown Albuquerque with shopping and parking nearby. The plaza is a one-block area located next to City Hall between Third and Fourth streets to the east and west and Marquette and Tijeras to the north and south. The city often uses the space for concerts, including its popular Summerfest.
Recent renovations paid for by a Heart of the Community grant from Southwest Airlines have made the plaza, which was built in 1974 for outdoor entertainment, an even more attractive place for a picnic.
Damian Lopez-Gaston, director of event services for the Convention Center and the plaza, says city officials were able to purchase more chairs and umbrellas.
Visitors can pack their own lunch or visit one of the local restaurants along Central or Lomas. In addition, Lopez-Gaston said food trucks are available on the plaza every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The city is under way with another $4 million renovation that will include new concrete amphitheater style seating, a playground with more benches and tables, and a new shade canopy. City officials expect to finish the upgrades by November of this year.
ABQ BIOPARK
Cuddly animals aren’t the only reason to visit the city’s zoo.
A large, grassy area in the heart of the zoo makes it an ideal place for a picnic. The large trees provide ample shade during the hot months. There is also a large patio with plenty of tables and chairs near the grass.
After working up an appetite exploring the park’s many animal exhibits, visitors can purchase food at the snack bar. The zoo also allows attendees to bring in a cooler, umbrella and chairs, although glass containers, straws, alcohol and grills are prohibited.
Tingley Beach is nearby and provides another location for an urban picnic for zoo visitors. There are three large ponds for fishing, boating or enjoying the ducks. Picnic tables are scattered throughout or visitors can bring chairs.
The paved bosque trail runs alongside the area, providing an opportunity to walk off those picnic calories or enjoy the local foliage.
The zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and located at 903 10th SW. Tingley is located at 1800 Tingley Drive SW. Fishing is available from dusk until dawn and anglers 12 and older must have a license. Pets are welcome.
ELENA GALLEGOS PICNIC AREA
This Albuquerque open space property is just a few hundred feet from the hustle and bustle of city life but instantly places visitors in the wilderness. The picnic grounds sit on the edge of Albuquerque at the base of the Sandia Mountains, providing stunning city views, especially in the evening as the sun begins to set.
Seven covered picnic areas make this an ideal urban setting to share a meal with family or friends. Intertwined with the picnic tables are a series of trails that can accommodate hikers, bikers and equestrians. Visitors might even get a peak at the local wildlife.
The picnic area is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the summer. Admission is $1 per car on weekdays and $2 on the weekends. The entrance to the open space area is on Simms Park Road, which can be accessed from Tramway just north of Academy.
ALBUQUERQUE ROSE GARDEN
The garden is a small oasis in the heart of one Albuquerque’s busiest commercial areas.
The Albuquerque Rose Society planted the rose garden on the grounds of the Tony Hillerman Library behind the Hoffmantown Shopping Center near Wyoming and Menaul. The society maintains the garden and holds pruning demonstrations there.
The garden is on the north side of the library and spans the entire side of the building. A large sculpture welcomes guests to the entrance of the garden and benches sit along a large path through the garden underneath large trellises that provide some shade. At the end of the path is a covered patio with more benches and two solid wood tables, making it ideal place to sit and enjoy a meal.
The garden is located at 8205 Apache NE.
LOS RANCHOS GROWERS MARKET
The North Valley has many traditions and this is one of them. The market is situated in the village of Los Ranchos and open year-round, even during the winter months. It’s a place where local farmers come to share their bounties.
But that’s not all. Not only can visitors find fresh fruit and vegetables for a picnic there are vendors selling hot food including burritos and stew. There are also fresh eggs, herbs and local products such as honey, cheese and jams.
The market is located next to a park with plenty of grass to throw down a blanket or set up some chairs. Live music can provide a nice ambiance while visitors eat the food they have purchased. There is a walking path for an after-meal stroll.
Opening day for the regular market season was May 6. The market takes place every Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon through November and then will take place on the second Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to noon.
The market is located at 6718 Rio Grande NW.