Daytime closures at Albuquerque Robinson Park draw questions from councilors

Albuquerque councilor Stephanie Telles questioned daytime closures at Robinson Park. City leaders said the policy makes the downtown space cleaner and safer.

The site at Eighth St. and Central Ave. now closes between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Gates shut again between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

“Councilor Fiebelkorn and I spent the afternoon at Robinson Park, and we could not figure out when the park was closed, when it’s open,” said Councilor Stephanie Telles.

City leaders said the area has faced problems throughout the regular week. Albuquerque Chief Administration Officer Samantha Sengel reported damage to the grass and trees.

“The park is overused in the sense of the way the grass and the trees have been impacted….We have significant evidence of drug trafficking, drug dealing in the park,” said Samantha Sengel, Albuquerque Chief Administration Officer.

Mayor Tim Keller’s administration said the closures give crews time for repairs and trash cleanup. The Keller administration said workers also deter criminal activity and connect people with social services.

Telles questioned the need for the change.

“We did not see any of what you described,” Telles said.

Downtown Councilor Joaquín Baca said the new rules are helping the public space.

“It looks like it’s doing what it’s supposed to do. Unhoused people still use it, which they should, and I now see people going to the park again, which they had stopped doing…This is a difficult situation with no easy answers, and everyone has a right to be able to use our parks,” said Councilor Baca.

Municipal departments often coordinate maintenance routines to manage shared public spaces across Albuquerque. City workers provide regular grounds care and connect residents with local assistance programs.

City staff are testing the schedule here first. The closures do not affect the Downtown Growers’ Market.