Las Huertas Plaza, LLC: a Plaza Project in the Unincorporated Placitas Area
Grants Awarded
The Las Huertas Plaza is located on Highway 165 six miles East of Interstate 25. This highway is very popular with cyclists. Cyclists from Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Town of Bernalillo or within Placitas itself frequent the route. The number of riders significantly increases in the summer months and are quite prolific in July during the times of the Tour de France. This project establishes a safe "pull-out" for hikers and bikers with a large juniper tree, where a Bike Repair Station will be installed next to a rock wall landscape features for a cool break.
For over 40 years, the New Mexico Foundation (NMF) has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for all New Mexicans. As the state’s only statewide foundation, NMF fosters creative, community-driven change and prosperity. In 2022, NMF sponsored Las Huertas Plaza, a project to create a community plaza in the historic village of Placitas. Early efforts have focused on vital conservation work, including repairing irrigation systems, clearing invasive species, and developing a grading and drainage plan for FEMA approval. With partnerships across Placitas, Las Huertas Plaza aims to establish a vibrant gathering space for farmers markets, art shows, and community events—bringing people together to enjoy the beauty and heritage of this historic Spanish land grant village.