Manzano State Park - opening date

Manzano Mountains State Park near Mountainair will open for the spring May 1 instead of the usual April 1 so the staff can complete several renovation projects.

When the park opens, it will have new trails, fencing and a staff residence replacing one damaged by last fall's Ojo Peak fire, according to State Parks director Dave Simon. The Ojo Peak fire burned about 75 acres in the state park. Bitter cold temperatures and record snowfall slowed progress on several projects at the park during the winter months.

    For the past nine years, the park has operated on a seasonal schedule, opening April 1 and closing Oct. 31. Funds requested by Gov. Richardson and provided by the New Mexico Legislature allowed State Parks to hire a full-time ranger for the park, which will permit the park to stay open longer and remain open to visitors through November and possibly beyond, depending on weather conditions. Park Ranger Harold Zuni was hired last summer as full-time ranger at Manzano Mountains; previously the park was managed by seasonal staff and employees from Rio Grande Nature Center State Park in Albuquerque.