This Is Albuquerque: New Mexico State Parks

\ Mar 03, 2016

4 min read

How did you get started in this business?

We’ve been around for a long time—State Parks was founded in 1933 in conjunction with the Civilian Conservation Corps efforts during the Great Depression. New Mexico’s state park system began with four parks, and today there are 35 awesome parks encompassing 19 lakes and 196,677 acres of land and water.

What is your business philosophy?

NM State Parks’ mission is to protect and enhance natural and cultural resources, provide first-class recreational and education facilities and opportunities and promote public safety to benefit and enrich the lives of visitors.

What is your company’s greatest asset?

One of our greatest assets is the beautiful, safe outdoor recreation value we provide so close to home—for $5 a carload you can visit a state park for a day; or spend the night in a tent along the beach for $8—and most state parks are within 70 miles from wherever you live. Another great asset State Parks has is our people—our park rangers, technicians and our volunteers truly love what they’re doing and work hard to provide visitors with memorable, fun, adventurous outdoor experiences.

What are your strongest business traits?

State Parks is a key player when it comes to outdoor recreation as a driving force in New Mexico’s economy. Connected to communities statewide, state parks are economic drivers for local businesses, towns and cities. Many rural communities rely upon State Parks as a major source of economic development.

A total of 69 percent of the State Parks’ budget is supported by self-generated revenue and we’re happy to report more than 4 million people visited a state park during fiscal year 2015.

What motivates you to succeed besides the desire to make money?

NM State Parks offers great diversity of natural and cultural experiences through events and interpretive programming. Witnessing a child experience catching a fish for the first time at a fishing derby, a family sitting around a camp fire after a day of safe boating or showcasing a constellation at a night sky program—that’s what motivates us.

Who knew?

• The places to be this spring and summer are on the water in your 19 state parks with lakes—plan to visit Conchas Lake, Santa Rosa and Ute Lake State Parks and make camping reservations today!

• Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park is the first and only state park in the United States dedicated exclusively to Vietnam veterans. Their mission is to remember and honor Vietnam veterans, provide educational opportunities for the public and maintain a haven for healing and reconciliation.

• Hyde Memorial State Park is set in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains amongst a forest of pines along Little Tesuque Creek. The park has a premier outdoor wedding venue for a great price. The historic Lodge is a perfect location with the most breathtaking landscape as a perfect backdrop for an intimate wedding.

• Pancho Villa State Park hosts Camp Furlong Day on March 12, commemorating the beginnings of the United States Air Force after Pancho Villa raided the Village of Columbus 100 years ago. Camp Furlong Day honors the strong ties between Mexico and the United States.

• New Mexico State Parks Friends Groups needs YOU! The Friends Groups consists of private citizens from all over New Mexico and their sole purpose is to support and assist the Parks in any way possible.

• Go to nmparks.com for reservations, events and like us on Facebook!

What’s your favorite saying or quotation?

NEW MEXICO STATE PARKS IS THE OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF ADVENTURE!