Park Grant Money Was Nearly Refused

A $210,000 contribution from Sandoval County to Rio Rancho toward a park suitable for children with disabilities nearly went back to the donor.

Half the councilors voted against a resolution accepting the contribution saying that while the “A Park Above” cause was worthy, the city urgently needed money to bolster its public safety services and address critical infrastructure problems.

“We need to give back the $210,000 to the county and send a few members of this council, with the council’s authority, to the county to humbly ask for that money to be redirected to the city for our serious priorities already in place,” Councilor Lonnie Clayton said in a prepared statement.

Clayton and Councilors Mark Scott and Chuck Wilkins voted against the resolution. Councilors Tamara Gutierrez, Patty Thomas and Tim Crum supported it. Mayor Tom Swisstack broke the tie, voting to accept the Sandoval County money.

Scott and Wilkins said their votes should not detract from their support for the park concept.

“It’s a worthy cause,” Wilkins said.

Crum acknowledged Rio Rancho is “near crisis” in terms of its public safety and infrastructure needs but he felt the city has garnered vital support for the park project and it was not politically feasible to return the money to the county.

Councilors later voted unanimously to accept a $25,000 contribution from Intel for A Park Above.

The city estimates the park will cost $2.5 million. It has about $1.6 million so far: $285,000 from the county and corporate donors, including Intel, and about $1.3 million in legislative appropriations.

Supporters of the park who spoke at the council meeting said it would provide a much needed space for families with disabled children. Others said it would attract visitors from outside Rio Rancho and boost the local economy. The location of the park has not been decided.

Presbyterian Healthcare Services has offered to lease land at the Rust Medical Center to the city for the park at $1 a year for 20 years. Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department Director Jay Hart said the city is also considering potential sites at Cabezon Park and Haynes Park that already have amenities like bathrooms and utilities. That could lower the overall cost of the project, he said.

After the meeting, Rio Rancho resident Marilyn Salzman forwarded to the Journal an email she wrote to councilors who voted against the county contribution saying she was “embarrassed and ashamed” of their comments.