Bellrose Park

The Good: This place almost had it all. Except it didn't. I will say that the area was generally clean.The Bad: What a weird spot to put a park. Nestled up next to residential housing on the corner of a city block, fenced on all sides, it immediately reminded me of the type of play area found in places without real estate, like New York. This is in the north valley of Albuquerque, where lots sit vacant and feral cats meow and howl at the moon. So here's this concrete slab and there's a hole in the center where an old plastic play structure sits, cracking at the joints, probably reminiscing about the days when kids came from near and far to discover... not much, really. Back in those days there was likely a basketball hoop as well, because the half-court still exists, painted lines fading, the back wall supporting climbing vine (and seriously, to the urban architectural genius who came up with the idea of building a basketball court adjacent to the homes of fellow city dwellers: what were you smoking?). No swings and only one shaded bench. The closer: One of the adjacent homes hosts some incredibly artsy, fun lawn furniture, as well as one of the most annoyingly yappy dogs I've ever encountered. The Verdict: Good for you, Albuquerque!