Balloon Fiesta preparations ahead of launch this weekend
The City of Albuquerque purchased the “splash lot” for Balloon Fiesta parking, adding 850 spots, while officials focus on safety and theft prevention during the nine-day event.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —
Albuquerque has purchased a parking lot for $3.4 million, adding six acres of parking space to Balloon Fiesta Park just in time for the city’s most magical time of year.
The lot, which has been on loan from Presbyterian for the past 20 years, will now be part of the approximately 850 parking spots available for vehicles at the park. Mayor Tim Keller explained the importance of securing the property.
“When land is for sale around here, the most important thing is to lock it in so that we can continue to use it for Fiesta, because it was very possible that anyone would just buy it and develop on it,” Keller said. “But we need the parking, we need everything else that comes along with it.”
The mayor added that the lot will look the same under new ownership, with only minor changes to the fencing.
After weeks of heavy rain, the launch field is drying out in time for the event. Parks and Recreation Director Dave Simon said the city recently completed an underground drainage system that has reduced water pooling on the field.
“The fields are getting drier and firmer every minute thanks to Mother Nature. So we don’t want wind during Fiesta, but the breezes that we’re feeling today, this great sunshine, fall sunshine, doing exactly what we want and these fields are getting drier and firmer by the minute,” Simon said.
Simon also noted that vehicles have been kept off the grass for the past week to minimize impact on the field.
As balloons prepare to take flight this Saturday, safety and security remain top priorities. Officials from the Albuquerque Police Department and Fire Rescue are addressing theft concerns, including auto theft and car break-ins, which have been issues during past events.
Albuquerque Police Chief Cecily Barker urged residents to take precautions.
“The biggest thing is don’t keep anything visible for people to see and take anything valuable out of your vehicle,” Barker said. “And I know it sounds like common sense, but locking vehicles is so important.”
Officials emphasized the importance of reporting suspicious activity, reminding residents and visitors that if they see something, they should say something.
