Executive Summary: Parks & Recreation: Letitia Montoya’s Vision for Santa Fe

“Because Every Child Deserves a Place to Belong”

As a proud native of Santa Fe and candidate for Mayor, I believe our city’s parks, recreation centers, and public spaces should be more than just background—they should be the foundation of safety, opportunity, and community.

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Too many of our centers sit underused while our youth are left without safe places to go. We have buildings with lights off and doors locked while families struggle to find affordable programs. That’s not just a missed opportunity—it’s a failure of leadership.

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Under my administration, that changes.

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I have a clear and achievable plan to transform Santa Fe’s Parks & Recreation system into one of the most respected departments in city government—focused on access, youth development, and neighborhood pride.

We will:

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• Reopen and revitalize neglected centers

• Make programs more accessible to working families

• Attract and retain qualified staff—including lifeguards, youth mentors, and community leaders

• And invest in our children as a direct investment in public safety, health, and hope

 

And we won’t raise taxes to do it.

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We’ll fund this transformation by aggressively pursuing state and federal grants, including resources from:

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• The New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division

• Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)

• Federal youth programs and park revitalization funds

• Strategic partnerships with private foundations and local organizations

 

This is about doing what’s right and doing it smart.

We already have the buildings. We already have the need. What we’ve been missing is the leadership. I’m ready to lead. I’m ready to listen. And most of all, I’m ready to act.