Desert Springs Park
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Desert Springs Park is a free community park in Albuquerque offering basic outdoor play opportunities, including playgrounds, basketball courts, and green spaces with trees. It's perceived as family-friendly and good for general outdoor activity, social interaction, and walking, despite significant maintenance and cleanliness issues.
Key Highlights
- ✓Opportunity for children to play socially with others (granddaughters 'played with another child')
- ✓Features a walking path, suitable for strolls or exercise
- ✓Includes basketball courts for older children or teens
- ✓Abundant trees and green grass provide natural setting
- ✓City efforts generally keep inappropriate graffiti at bay, enhancing family-friendliness
Standout Features
- ⭐Dedicated playground area
- ⭐Basketball courts
- ⭐Paved walking path
- ⭐Green spaces with natural tree cover
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Manage expectations regarding the modernity and condition of play structures.
- →Be prepared for potential trash, litter, and dog feces on the grass; inspect an area before settling.
- →Wear closed-toe shoes to protect against potential broken glass.
- →Consider visiting during off-peak times if cleanliness and crowding are major concerns, as summers can be busy and messier.
- →Bring hand sanitizer due to likely lack of handwashing facilities and cleanliness concerns.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Play structures are noted as needing updating, suggesting older equipment
- ⚠Frequent issues with trash and dog feces on the grass, indicating poor upkeep by visitors and infrequent cleaning
- ⚠Perceived infrequent maintenance/inspection by the city (1-2 days a month)
- ⚠Can be cluttered with trash, detracting from its natural beauty
- ⚠Some broken glass reported, posing a safety hazard
- ⚠Located in a neighborhood described as 'not the best', though 'not the worst either'
Price & Value
This is a free public park, offering basic outdoor amenities. The value is in its free access to play structures, courts, and green space, but comes with significant trade-offs in terms of cleanliness and maintenance compared to paid venues.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accommodations mentioned in reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Not mentioned in reviews; assumed to be standard public park policy allowing outside food and drinks.
🚗Parking Info
- •Not mentioned in reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Can get busy during the summer months
🛡️Safety Features
- •City efforts are noted for keeping inappropriate graffiti at bay.
- •Presence of broken glass is a recurring safety concern mentioned by visitors.
- •No staff supervision or dedicated safety personnel mentioned.
⏰When to Avoid
- • If cleanliness is a primary concern for your family, especially if children are prone to putting things in their mouths
- • During peak summer times, as crowding can exacerbate trash issues
- • If your children require modern, well-maintained playground equipment
- • If you are highly sensitive to litter and dog waste
Pricing/Package/Events
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Routine park maintenance issues can be reported by calling 311 or 505-857-8650 (Park Management Division office).
- • Urgent issues after hours or on weekends can be reported by calling 505-382-5926.
- • The Parks and Recreation Department does not maintain a lost and found for items lost in city parks. Contact Albuquerque Police Department substations or City Security at 505-239-0900 for lost items.
What People Say
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 4 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Kathleen Anaya
a year agoWe had a great time at the park a little outside of our community. The play structures could use some updating, my granddaughters had a blast and played with another child at the park. Great walking path and we look forward to other visits.
Michael Matthews
8 months agoNice little park in the area. Seems to be pretty well maintained and it looks like the community enjoys it
Amber Cook
7 years agoA lot of people go here during the summer People don't take care of this place much there's always trash and dog feces on the grass, trash needs to be picked up more often.
The Infinite Enigma (T.I.E.)
a year agoNot the best neighborhood in Albuquerque, but certainly not the worst either. It's definitely family friendly with basketball courts and playground. Lots of trees and green grass to enjoy too. This is where my neice and nephew's bus stops are at. Albuquerque is pretty good at keeping inappropriate graffitti at bay. Some broken glass, but great park overall.
Diana Beltran
6 years agoIt is a beautiful park that has lost its glory throughout the years. People don't seem to take care of it and the city of albuquerque only seem to come by 1 to 2 days in a month to inspect it. On a great day, this park is absolutely gorgeous! But now it is usually cluttered with trash because people don't clean after themselves. It is truly unfortunate ....