A once-dilapidated municipal park in Questa has received a much-needed transformation, thanks to efforts by the Village of Questa, after garnering more than $112,000 in state grant funding and more funds from the LOR Foundation.
Located behind the Questa Family & Youth Center off Municipal Park Drive, the park was riddled with prairie dog holes and dated playground equipment. The park had long been considered unusable by local families. Today, it stands renewed with brand-new playground equipment, safety upgrades, and shaded areas. Volunteers from LEAP, led by Claire Coté worked in coordination with the village to plant trees, fix irrigation, and clean up the park.
The revitalization was made possible through a grant from the New Mexico Department of Finance Authority, which awarded the Village of Questa just over $112,000. The funds were used to purchase the main playground structure, swings, a dino egg climber, a twister play piece, safety barriers, signage, mulch, and an adult picnic table.
The LOR Foundation stepped in to support the efforts as well, covering the cost of the toddler picnic table, a second adult table, and a large shade structure to protect park visitors from the summer sun.
Additional benches were installed with help from Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, using separate grant funding aimed at cleaning and improving recreational areas across Taos County.
“This park was in dire need of improvements. It wasn’t a place kids could safely enjoy,” said Village of Questa Chief Procurement Officer Valerie Vigil. “Now, it’s a beautiful, safer space for families to gather.”
In addition to new equipment, the Village recently hired an extra staff member for its utilities department, which will help with regular maintenance and upkeep of the park. (Questa does not currently have a dedicated parks and recreation crew.)
To further involve residents in caring for the space, the Village will host monthly community cleanup days. These events will encourage locals to help maintain the park’s condition. Keep an eye on the Village of Questa Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/questanos) for updates on upcoming cleanup days.
The park’s transformation represents not just a physical upgrade, but a step toward stronger community engagement and pride in our public facilities. We look forward to seeing you at the park!
