UNM has no ducks to give in reopening of pond

For New Mexico Higher Education Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez, the University of New Mexico duck pond is a sentimental place.

“The duck pond is really the epicenter of life and culture at the University of New Mexico. I’m actually a Lobo, I met my husband at the University of New Mexico, and I remember so many times my husband calling me in between classes and saying, ‘Let’s meet at the duck pond,’” Rodriguez said.

On Wednesday, after almost 10 months of renovations, the central fixture at New Mexico’s largest university reopened after changes to enhance the pond’s ecological health, including bio filters to keep harmful algae and microorganisms out, according to UNM spokesperson Steve Carr.

No ducks were present for the reopening of their namesake pond. But there were turtles.

Carr said the ducks that previously occupied the pond were relocated to the university’s Championship Golf Course. He said he was told by people involved in the project that the waterfowl “will return to the pond naturally.”

In lieu of real ones, UNM President Garnett Stokes brought a rubber duck to the ceremony and placed it on the podium as she spoke.

“There are not enough ducks at the time yet, so I brought my own,” she said to open her speech. She declined a Journal interview request following the ceremony.

“It is my privilege to help celebrate this reopening of a very special place, a place that, over the last 50 years, has come to be not just an iconic picture of our landscape, but also the very heart of our campus,” Stokes said at Wednesday’s event. “This is a place where generations of Lobos have joyfully met new friends, celebrated accomplishments, loudly or quietly.”

Walking by the since-reopened pond on Wednesday afternoon, UNM sophomore Evelyn Ward-Steinman had just one comment about its reopening: “Where are the ducks?”

Hanging out under the shade with two friends and fellow UNM students, Ukko Torres said he’s glad the pond has reopened.

“We were here every day while it was closed, every single day waiting for it to reopen,” he said. “Every day, we’d be talking about, ‘I can’t wait till the duck pond reopens. I can’t wait till they fill it up with water.’”

But he and his friends miss the ducks.

“It’s definitely a nice social hub here on campus. I feel like it’s definitely a nice place to come after classes, or between classes, just to relax,” Evalynn Kettering said. “I think it’s kind of sad not to see any of the ducks here, though. I feel like that’s what really makes it.”

Additionally, they feel some of the updates give it a more modern feel, noting the old bridge that was replaced and a resting willow tree that’s no longer there.

“It’s all, kind of concrete and modern. A little brutalist,” Pieta Ruiz said. “I kind of miss the homey vibe of the old duck pond.”

According to previous Journal reporting, the cost of renovations was about $4 million, funded through 2023 bonds. The pond was slated to reopen during the spring semester, but the reopening was delayed because a bridge was not ready in time, due to a material shortage with the manufacturer, according to Carr.

“Also of note, the replacement benches will be installed in about two weeks. We just received the materials today,” he said.