Round Rio Rancho

The annual “Pooch Plunge” is held each year in the outdoor pool at Haynes Park in Rio Rancho, NM. After the Summer swimming season is over, but before they close down the pool, the City’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department lets dog owners bring their pets to an event which is basically an aquatic dog park. The retrievers and spaniels loved it, repeatedly chasing floating tennis balls and frisbees. Even non typical water-friendly breeds like St. Bernards seemed to love it. A local pet food specialty store, Pet Food Gone Wild, organized a pet fair outside the pool area with dog related services and suppliers.

The Music in the Park series put on by the Rio Rancho Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department runs late Spring through the Summer at the Rotary Club Barbecue Pavilion at Haynes Park.
The activity is free, and people are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and snacks. Sorry, they don’t allow anything harder than lemonade to drink. Most nights an ice cream truck shows up to offer cold treats. The video above features the Mudd Brothers Band.

Performances start at 6:30pm and end around 8. The rest of the 2013 season offerings are below:

June 16: Twisted Mojo
June 23: Point Blank
June 30: Bosque Blues
July 7: Saint Wolf
July 14: Rio Rancho Community Jazz Band
July 21: Rio Rancho Community Concert Band
July 28: Interplay
Aug. 4: The Hit Squad
Aug. 11: The Otherside
Aug. 18: Code 29
Aug. 25: Rio Rancho Community Jazz Band
August 29: Rio Rancho Symphonic Band (Symphonic Music)
*Musical acts subject to change

Haynes Park is located at 2006 Grande Blvd., which is across the street from Intel on N.M. 528/Pat D’Arco Highway.

For additional information, please call the city of Rio Rancho’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department at (505) 891-5015.

Right after the Rio Rancho Christmas Parade the Parks and Recreation Department sponsored a Luminaria Tour at Haynes Park. Over 12,000 real luminarias (a candle burning inside a paper bag with sand at the bottom) formed pathways throughout the darkened park, leading from one park shelter or band stand to the other. Snacks, drinks and music were everywhere, as were lighted holiday characters of all kinds. Santa and Mrs. Claus paid a short visit to the event, and chatted with a number of small children. At 7:00 pm, there was a wonderful fireworks display. I’ve visited Haynes park several times in past years for this event, and never get tired of the sight of the thousands of glowing luminarias lining the pathways and the curving hills of the park. Kudos to the city staff for continuing this great tradition.