ANDREWNEIGHBOUR
A bridge crosses a pond of blue glass that suggests refreshing water in a dry climate.
from the 35,000-gallon water tower and from five
15,000-gallon underground storage tanks. They in turn
are filled by rainwater that drains from the rooftops of
seven railyard structures. From the bottom of the
water tank, a mist of water descends on a display mapping the Santa Fe watershed. Coincidentally, the park
and the Alameda command a stunning view of the
Sangre de Cristo Mountains—the source of water for
that watershed, for the Acequia Madre, and for crops
grown all over northern New Mexico and sold at the
farmers market (including the garlic this writer grows
on his own farm).
This is just one way that the new park and plaza
are deeply connected to the region and its people. In
December 2008, the Rail Runner commuter train
started frequent daily service between the old depot on
the Alameda and points south, including Albuquerque.
A new pedestrian and bicycle path parallels the tracks
deep into Santa Fe’s southern neighborhoods—the first
of several pathways that will link the park and plaza to
Many dimensions of Santa Fe converge in the park: history, water use,
local agriculture, transportation, education, arts and culture, and community.
