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Park Prescriptions Program Offers Much more than a $50 Prize

Pecos National Historical Park Prescription Park Prescriptions Program participant Cari Anderson is kicking off 2018 in style! She is the most recent recipient of the Park Prescriptions Program’s quarterly prize drawing. Anderson, who won a $50 Home Depot gift, is a relative newcomer to the program. She and her canine companion,Falcor, have made a habit of hitting the park trails and are logging three to four miles on a regular basis.

Like many of the other participants in the program, she finds a plethora of benefits from recreating in the park. Anderson said, “I like to walk here because it’s so close to town and I feel safe.” Pecos National Historical Park Superintendent Karl Cordova echoes her sentiments; “The National Park Service strives to ensure that parks remain relevant to local communities in preserving their heritage, educating their youth and providing opportunities for physical and mental wellness.”

The Park Prescriptions Program was formed in 2017 as part of a partnership between Pecos National Historical Park and the Pecos Valley Medical Center (PVMC) to encourage wellness in the community of Pecos and the surrounding area. The Pecos Park Prescriptions program promotes health and wellness by encouraging and rewarding community members for recreating for free within their national park.

The next quarterly drawing for the Park Prescriptions Program will take place at the end of March. Participants must receive 10 punches during the quarter in order to be eligible for the next drawing. For more information please contact Becky Latanich (Pecos NHP) at (505) 757-7210 or Louella Vigil (Pecos Valley Medical Center) at 505-757-7132

Pecos NHP Receives Funding for New Museum Exhibits

PNHP News

Pecos National Historical Park Visitor Center

Pecos National Historical Park is pleased to announce that it has received funding for new museum exhibits at the E.E. Fogelson Visitor Center. This project, which kicks off in January, is a three year project funded from the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA). FLREA funds come from the Recreation Fee revenues – entrance fees – and must be used directly for visitor enjoyment. The renovation will addres

s major accessibility and content deficiencies in the current museum exhibits, which were installed more than 30 years ago.

The new exhibits will provide visitors with a comprehensive overview of the many stories that the park preserves, including the history of the Ancestral Puebloans, Spanish missionaries, the Santa Fe Trail, the Civil War Battle of Glorieta Pass, the Upper Pecos Watershed, Route 66, dude ranching, Hispanic settlement, and Southwestern archaeology. The re-envisioned space will feature exhibits and interactive displays that appeal to park visitors of all ages and learning styles, and will meet all standards associated with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

For more information about the park in general, contact Pecos NHP at (505) 757-7241 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/peco. You will also find our listings on the New Mexico True website (newmexico.org) and Tourism Santa Fe (santafe.org). Please like on us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PecosNHPnps or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pecos_nps).

Becky Latanich

Chief of Interpretation and Education

Pecos National Historical Park

P.O. Box 418

Pecos, NM 87552

(505) 757-7210

Las Posadas at Pecos National Historical Park: Update to Parking

Park Events

Pecos National Historical Park, the Friends of Pecos National Historical Park and Western National Parks Association will host Las Posadas festivities on Monday, December 18^th. The free event will begin at 5:00 p.m. with horse-drawn wagon rides. The procession will begin at the remnants of the 18^th century church and convento at 6:00 p.m. and wind down the trail to the visitor center with the group singing traditional hymns and holiday songs in both English and Spanish. More than 3,500 farolitos will illuminate the trail. Free hot beverages and biscochitos will be served at the Visitor Center following the procession. There will also be a festive piñata breaking for the children.

Parking will be different this year to better accommodate and serve the growing number of visitors attending this event. Free visitor parking will be located at the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Posse – Rodeo Grounds, immediately south of the Village of Pecos, near mile-marker 5 on the west side of Hwy. 63. Limited handicapped parking will be available at the park visitor center. There will be free bus shuttles to take visitors to and from the park visitor center and parking area. Gates to the parking area open at 5:00 p.m. and bus shuttles will begin taking visitors to the Las Posadas event immediately. The last visitor shuttle from the rodeo grounds to the visitor center will leave at 7:00 p.m. There is no other parking available at Pecos National Historical Park.

Once visitors arrive at the park they should assemble at the church no later than 6:00 p.m., when the procession will begin. For those who are interested, two horse-drawn wagons will be available to convey visitors from the visitor center to the church site between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Appropriate winter clothing and flashlights are highly recommended, temperatures are expected to be around freezing (32 degrees F) and the event is nearly entirely outdoors.

A Holiday Tradition: Las Posadas at Pecos National Historical Park

Park Events

Pecos National Historical Park, the Friends of Pecos National Historical Park and Western National Parks Association will host Las Posadas festivities on Monday, December 18th. The free event will begin at 5:00 p.m. with horse-drawn wagon rides. The procession will begin at the remnants of the 18th century church and convento at 6:00 p.m. and wind down the trail to the visitor center with the group singing traditional hymns and holiday songs in both English and Spanish. More than 3,500 farolitos will illuminate the trail. Free hot beverages and biscochitos will be served at the Visitor Center following the procession. There will also be a festive piñata breaking for the children.

In Spanish, las posadas means “inns” or “shelters,” and represents the journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem and their search for shelter. St. Anthony’s Parish in Pecos carries on this northern New Mexico tradition every December. Pecos National Historical Park will be just one stop during this novena, or nine-day event.

Superintendent Karl Cordova says that, “Keeping traditions alive for current and future generations is an important job of the National Park Service, and a fun one, too.”

Visitors should assemble at the church no later than 6:00 p.m. on Monday the 18th. For those who are interested, two horse-drawn wagons will be available to convey visitors from the visitor center to the procession site between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Appropriate winter clothing and flashlights are highly recommended.

For more information, contact Pecos NHP at (505) 757-7241 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/peco. You will also find our listings on the New Mexico True website (newmexico.org) and Tourism Santa Fe (santafe.org). Please like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PecosNHPnps or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pecos_nps.

Becky Latanich
Chief of Interpretation and Education
Pecos National Historical Park

Pecos NHP Honors Veterans Day and Those Who Fought in the Battle of Glorieta Pass

Civil War Trail, Park Events

Did you know that the Union and Confederate armies fought a Civil War battle on what is now the grounds of Pecos National Historical Park? The 1862 Battle of Glorieta Pass helped to decide much of the fate of the American West in the Civil War. Confederates sought to control large portions of the American West and its gold fields so as to fund the Southern war effort. Union forces successfully defended the territory and its denizens from the Texan army. Over the course of the three-day battle, Americans on both sides fought and died for the nation’s future as the Confederate war effort in New Mexico failed.

Historians debate the true number of dead and wounded from the Battle of Glorieta Pass; contradictory numbers, the number of wounded who later died, desertion, and poor record-keeping all contribute to questions of exactly how many soldiers died from the battle. Therefore, the physical cost of the battles of New Mexico remains shrouded by the mysteries of the past.

This Veterans Day, November 11th, Pecos National Historical Park will memorialize those who lost their lives in the Battle of Glorieta Pass with small flags. The 175 flags will be placed near the historic Pigeon’s Ranch building in the Glorieta Unit of Pecos National Historical Park along State Highway 50 outside of Pecos. Each flag represents one of the 175 soldiers who died either at the battle or later from their wounds. As you drive by the area, please remember those who have given their lives in service to their country.

For more information, contact Pecos NHP at (505) 757-7241 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/peco. You will also find our listings on the New Mexico True website (newmexico.org) and Tourism Santa Fe (santafe.org). Please like on us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PecosNHPnps or follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pecos_nps).

Park Prescriptions Program Offers Much more than a $50 Prize

Park Events

Park Prescriptions Program participant Danny Winston finally hit the jackpot! He is the second recipient of the Park Prescriptions Program’s quarterly prize drawing. Winston, who won a $50 Target gift card was surprised and grateful to win just for walking the park’s trails—something he has been doing for almost 11 straight years. Like many of the other participants in the program, he finds a plethora of benefits from recreating in the park. Winston said, “I love it, it’s therapy. And the dogs love it. They love coming to the park every day.” Pecos National Historical Park Superintendent Karl Cordova echoes his sentiments; “The National Park Service strives to ensure that parks remain relevant to local communities in preserving their heritage, educating their youth and providing opportunities for physical and mental wellness.”

The Park Prescriptions Program was formed this spring as part of a partnership between Pecos National Historical Park and the Pecos Valley Medical Center (PVMC) to encourage wellness in the community of Pecos and the surrounding area. The Pecos Park Prescriptions program promotes health and wellness by encouraging and rewarding community members for recreating for free within their national park.

The next quarterly drawing for the Park Prescriptions Program will take place in early January 2018. Participants must receive 10 punches during the quarter in order to be eligible for the next drawing. For more information please contact Becky Latanich (Pecos NHP) at (505) 757-7210 or Toni Rodriguez (Pecos Valley Medical Center) at 505-757-7132

Find the Pecos Valley Medical Center at www.pecoshealth.org

Raptor Encounters at the Vista Grande Public Library – November 18th

Park Events

The New Mexico Wildlife Center will bring live raptors to the Vista Grande Public Library on Saturday, November 18th from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. With the help of these bird ambassadors, we will discover the special characteristics that make these flying predators so unique. Space is limited to 40 attendees and reservations are required. Please call 505-757-7241 for more information and to reserve a space.

This free family-friendly program is hosted by Pecos National Historical Park, Western National Parks Association and the Vista Grande Public Library.

The Vista Grande Public Library is located at: 14 Avenida Torreon, Santa Fe, NM 87508. (Google Map)

Night Sky Photography – Beyond the Basics – October 21, 2017

Park Events

Pecos Mission - Las Posadas - Stan Ford This workshop is intended for the intermediate to advanced photographer. There will be no classroom session or formal presentation. This is a rare opportunity to photograph part of the Forked Lightning Ranch at night. Participants should be familiar with operating their camera in Manual mode (in the dark). There should be enough time for those who wish to shoot star trails or time-lapse sequences. Stan Ford and Richard Gonzales will be available to provide assistance. The workshop will be from 7:00-11:00pm. This is a free program hosted by the Friends of Pecos National Historical Park and space is limited. Contact Stan Ford at info@fotosbyford.com more information or to be notified of future photography workshops at Pecos NHP.

Stan Ford – Stan is an award-winning photographer based in Corrales. He took his first photograph the day his father introduced him to President Kennedy. School and work filled his life until he retried from a government career and decided to pursue his life-long passion of photography. He specializes in nature photography (landscapes and wildlife), which is aided by his degrees in biology and natural resources. In 2016, he was selected to be the “first-ever” Artist-in-Residence for Pecos National Historical Park. His work can be seen at the Albuquerque Photographer’s Gallery and at www. fotosbyford.com