County Invites Residents to Shape North Mesa Picnic Grounds Future March 19

North Mesa holds the last undeveloped parcel of land identified for recreational use in Los Alamos County, and what happens to it is now an open question that the county wants residents to help answer.

Los Alamos County has scheduled a Community Design Workshop for the North Mesa Picnic Grounds on Thursday, March 19, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Fuller Lodge. Residents unable to attend in person may join virtually via Zoom. "The County is seeking community input to better understand how the picnic grounds are used and what improvements residents would like to see in the future," the county said in its news release.

The workshop will cover potential renovation options for the existing site and ADA accessibility, with county officials stating that "community feedback will help guide planning decisions and ensure the picnic grounds continue to serve neighborhood families and park users."

The meeting fits into a broader effort called the North Mesa Recreation Master Plan, which the county's Community Services Department developed with Sites Southwest, a professional planning firm specializing in master planning and accessibility compliance. The plan aims to document the community's vision for the space, analyze existing site conditions, and provide a conceptual framework for future improvements while ensuring recreational access for all users regardless of ability.

The urgency behind that planning has sharpened with residential growth on the mesa. New housing is in the works for the Arbolada subdivision and through the North Mesa Housing Project in partnership with the Los Alamos School District, making long-term recreational planning, according to a county council staff report, "a critical priority."

Residents have already shown considerable interest in shaping that future. According to the council staff report, participation in the North Mesa planning process has been "among the highest seen in recent recreational planning efforts." Through listening sessions, workshops, open houses, and surveys, residents identified a range of desired improvements: ADA-accessible restrooms and parking, shade structures and landscaping, an enhanced dog park and playground, bike infrastructure including a pump track and skills park, an indoor sports facility, picnic areas and gathering spaces, fitness stations and nature play, a splash pad and hydration stations, and inclusive trail and play design.

The March 19 workshop at Fuller Lodge represents another chance to weigh in before planning decisions are finalized. No Zoom link has been published yet; residents should check the county's website for connection details ahead of the meeting.