Romero Park Phase 1 Improvements

Agua Fria Village, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Romero Park is an existing 15 acre park within a larger 82 acre area of public land in the traditional Village of Agua Fria along the Santa Fe River. After completing a master plan for the entire site, Design Office worked with Santa Fe County to design the first phase of improvements to respond to the needs of a rapidly growing community and build on existing park assets. The new core of Romero Park includes a central park plaza with a large shade structure, a 1/2-acre community lawn, 2 new play areas, and an interior access road and parking area.

A generous and diversely planted bioswale buffers the parking area from park elements and is designed to maximize stormwater harvesting and create a verdant park spine. A generous new shade structure creates a large family picnicking / gathering area adjacent to an existing restroom / concessions building and anchors the site. New playgrounds for toddlers and 5-12 year olds compliment the existing 2-5 year old playground area. Playground elements for the ‘Kiddie Corral’ reference the rural character of Agua Fria Village utilizing materials and forms such as stock tanks and ranch fencing. New wide sidewalks connect with existing interior and perimeter trails and serve as part of prescription trail loops

photography: Kate Russell

Team
Design Enginuity, civil engineering
Spears Horn Architects, architecture
EMCO, contractor
Accent Landscape Contractors, landscape contractor

Awards
2011 NM ASLA