City: Albuquerque, NM

Category: Parks & Recreation

Telephone: (505) 344-7240

Address: 2901 Candelaria Road NW

Description: Managed by New Mexico State Parks, the park has three ponds, a five-acre wetland, nature trails, and great opportunities to view wildlife both out on the land and from the nature center (also called the Visitor Center) designed by Albuquerque architect Antoine Predock in 1982. The tunnel-like entrance to the nature center leads you into a circular hall with environmental exhibits. The observation lounge has a curved glass wall that looks directly out to the three-acre pond surrounding the center, for an up-close view of geese, ducks, turtles, hummingbirds, and other wildlife. Speakers on the pond pipe the bird sounds from outside into the room, so you feel you are actually out in the environment with the creatures, from the comfort of the lounge. There are identification guides available, plus binoculars, trail guides, and a nature library. Over 270 species of birds have been spotted in the park. There are two easy trail loops of a mile or just under, a river walk, and a bosque loop. The 16-mile-long Paseo del Bosque multiuse paved trail also passes through the park, just a few steps from the nature center. The park also includes the Candelaria Wetland, and outdoor blinds to hide in for wildlife watching. There is an active program of activities and events for adults and children, including guided bird walks, nature walks, and evening moon walks—the walks are free, but some require registration. Call the park or check the calendar of activities at the Friends of the Rio Grande Nature Center Web site, www.rgnc.org. (The Rio Grande Nature Center is also part of the Rio Grande Valley State Park system.) Park admission is free for pedestrians and bikes. Motor vehicles pay a $3 fee. The park is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the nature center is open between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.