Albuquerque BioPark Projects

SITES has been part of the ABQ BioPark story for decades, beginning with the original master plan in 1992. Working alongside a multidisciplinary consultant team, we helped shape what has become a cornerstone of Albuquerque’s Rio Grande recreation corridor—contributing streetscape concepts, design guidelines, and key landscape architectural elements that continue to define the experience today. Showcased here are the Japanese Garden and the Heritage Farm, which reflect the firm’s commitment to connecting people, ecology, and culture through design.

The Japanese Garden was envisioned as a tranquil environment that honors the spirit and traditions of classic Japanese gardens while embracing the arid beauty of the high desert. Native and adaptive plantings, stone composition, and carefully choreographed water features create a place of reflection that feels both authentic and regionally grounded.

The Heritage Farm is more than just a farm. It’s an immersive educational landscape that explores the origins of our food and the connections between people, animals, agriculture, and natural habitats. Designed for visitors of all ages, the Farm highlights the region’s agricultural history through the lens of Indigenous and immigrant traditions, celebrating time-tested practices and sustainable resource management. Trails weave through orchards, pollinator gardens, and working animal exhibits, while a cottonwood gallery, apple cider press, and nature-themed playground invite exploration and discovery. A small train links the Farm to the larger BioPark, and accessible walkways modeled after traditional two-track farm roads ensure connectivity and inclusivity for all visitors.