top of page
Our Work
Landscape Architecture
Community Planning
Housing Strategies
Parks & Outdoor Recreation
Urban Design & Streetscapes
Master Planning
All Works
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.
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.
Albuquerque Public Schools Learning Landscapes
SITES partnered with Albuquerque Public Schools to design the outdoor environments for two prototype campuses, Tierra Antigua Elementary School and Tony Hillerman Middle School. These schools were developed as models for future APS facilities, and the landscapes were created to complement the prototype buildings while connecting play, fitness, education, and environment.
SITES provided full playground and landscape design for both campuses. At Tierra Antigua Elementary, the design features a distinctive custom ocotillo shade structure, an archaeological excavation area, a wildlife habitat, and an outdoor classroom surrounded by interpretive gardens that highlight Native American plants used for food, fiber, and medicine.
The Tony Hillerman Middle School "Ancient Mesa" landscape reuses existing boulders to form waffle gardens and retaining walls. A ponding area planted to attract butterflies and birds provides a living habitat supported by bat roosts and bird feeders.
Together, these learning landscapes show how thoughtful design can turn school sites into inspiring environments that promote discovery and connection to place.
SITES provided full playground and landscape design for both campuses. At Tierra Antigua Elementary, the design features a distinctive custom ocotillo shade structure, an archaeological excavation area, a wildlife habitat, and an outdoor classroom surrounded by interpretive gardens that highlight Native American plants used for food, fiber, and medicine.
The Tony Hillerman Middle School "Ancient Mesa" landscape reuses existing boulders to form waffle gardens and retaining walls. A ponding area planted to attract butterflies and birds provides a living habitat supported by bat roosts and bird feeders.
Together, these learning landscapes show how thoughtful design can turn school sites into inspiring environments that promote discovery and connection to place.
Albuquerque Public Schools - Sandia High School
SITES worked with Albuquerque Public Schools to transform the Sandia High School campus into a living laboratory where learning extends beyond the classroom. The design focused on creating outdoor environments that connect science education with the land, reflecting APS’s commitment to hands-on, sustainable learning spaces.
At the heart of the project is a large, constructed wetland, developed in close collaboration with the school’s biology faculty to serve as a year-round teaching tool. The wetland and its surrounding landscape recall the ecologies of the nearby Rio Grande, featuring three distinct aquatic zones and native plant communities that demonstrate how water, soil, and vegetation interact. The system integrates a cistern-fed irrigation network, reused concrete materials, and accessible walkways that double as outdoor learning paths.
Beyond the wetland, the campus improvements include a new sports field, a landscaped mall linking the Science Academy and Library to the rest of the campus, and shaded gathering areas that encourage social interaction and exploration. Together, these spaces frame striking views of the Sandia Mountains and create a cohesive, sustainable campus landscape where students can study, observe, and engage directly with the natural systems that shape their community.
At the heart of the project is a large, constructed wetland, developed in close collaboration with the school’s biology faculty to serve as a year-round teaching tool. The wetland and its surrounding landscape recall the ecologies of the nearby Rio Grande, featuring three distinct aquatic zones and native plant communities that demonstrate how water, soil, and vegetation interact. The system integrates a cistern-fed irrigation network, reused concrete materials, and accessible walkways that double as outdoor learning paths.
Beyond the wetland, the campus improvements include a new sports field, a landscaped mall linking the Science Academy and Library to the rest of the campus, and shaded gathering areas that encourage social interaction and exploration. Together, these spaces frame striking views of the Sandia Mountains and create a cohesive, sustainable campus landscape where students can study, observe, and engage directly with the natural systems that shape their community.
Animas Trail Extension and Gateway Park Master Planning and Design
SITES has been working with the City of Farmington to expand and enhance the Animas River Trail, a defining feature of the city’s park and recreation system. The first new trail segment extended the riverside path nearly a mile east from the Among the Waters trailhead at the Bisti Highway. This phase replaced a flood-damaged culvert crossing with a new bridge and navigated a steep bluff nearly thirty feet high overlooking the Animas River near its confluence with the San Juan River.
The second trail extension will nearly double the total length of the system, adding three miles of new path from the Riverside Nature Center east past the Farmington Museum. This reach will wind behind local businesses and across another steep embankment above the river, connecting new destinations to the broader community network.
As part of the northern trail extension, SITES also developed a Master Plan for a new regional park overlooking the river just east of the museum. The park is designed as a focal point for the community, highlighting the connection between the museum, the river, and the trail. It follows a mixed-use concept with restaurants, small shops, and a multi-use pavilion for growers markets and special events that attract both local and regional visitors.
The plan also includes a large plaza with a stage and terraced berm amphitheater seating, open lawns for play and community gatherings, and natural play areas. The design replaces the museum’s asphalt parking lot with a tree-shaded, permeable event and parking space. SITES developed multiple site concepts and refined options before finalizing the preferred master plan. Construction of the multi-use pavilion is underway, and Phase 1 of the park is anticipated to begin later in 2025.
The second trail extension will nearly double the total length of the system, adding three miles of new path from the Riverside Nature Center east past the Farmington Museum. This reach will wind behind local businesses and across another steep embankment above the river, connecting new destinations to the broader community network.
As part of the northern trail extension, SITES also developed a Master Plan for a new regional park overlooking the river just east of the museum. The park is designed as a focal point for the community, highlighting the connection between the museum, the river, and the trail. It follows a mixed-use concept with restaurants, small shops, and a multi-use pavilion for growers markets and special events that attract both local and regional visitors.
The plan also includes a large plaza with a stage and terraced berm amphitheater seating, open lawns for play and community gatherings, and natural play areas. The design replaces the museum’s asphalt parking lot with a tree-shaded, permeable event and parking space. SITES developed multiple site concepts and refined options before finalizing the preferred master plan. Construction of the multi-use pavilion is underway, and Phase 1 of the park is anticipated to begin later in 2025.
Ashley Pond Park
SITES was commissioned by Los Alamos County to develop plans for the rehabilitation of Ashley Pond Park, the community’s central gathering space and a historic resource once used by the Los Alamos Ranch School. Located within the Fuller Lodge Historic District, the park continues to play an essential role in the identity of both Los Alamos and New Mexico.
The project focused on two primary goals: creating a continuous walkway that connects the park to the Fuller Lodge Historic District, and improving the pond’s water quality, which had been affected by eutrophication. The redevelopment included rehabilitating bulkheads and sidewalks, upgrading lake engineering systems, and improving pedestrian access between the street, parking areas, and the water’s edge.
SITES also redesigned the lakeside landscape to enhance beauty and function while respecting the park’s historic character. The result is a revitalized public space that honors its past while serving as a vibrant centerpiece for the community.
The project focused on two primary goals: creating a continuous walkway that connects the park to the Fuller Lodge Historic District, and improving the pond’s water quality, which had been affected by eutrophication. The redevelopment included rehabilitating bulkheads and sidewalks, upgrading lake engineering systems, and improving pedestrian access between the street, parking areas, and the water’s edge.
SITES also redesigned the lakeside landscape to enhance beauty and function while respecting the park’s historic character. The result is a revitalized public space that honors its past while serving as a vibrant centerpiece for the community.
Atrisco Acequia Madre Master Plan
SITES served as the planning lead for the conceptual design of an enhanced open space and community destination at the headwaters of the Atrisco Acequia Madre in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The project brought together a broad team of funding partners, community organizations, and members of the public to shape a shared vision for this culturally significant landscape.
Project priorities included improving connections to nearby bosque trails and community amenities, creating opportunities for public education about the history and importance of acequias in regional development and culture, and fostering stewardship for this shared environment.
Since the plan’s adoption, SITES has continued to lead design and construction for Phase 1. Current work includes trailhead improvements, accessible trail connections, and planning for interpretive signage and public art that celebrate the environmental, social, and cultural value of acequias.
Project priorities included improving connections to nearby bosque trails and community amenities, creating opportunities for public education about the history and importance of acequias in regional development and culture, and fostering stewardship for this shared environment.
Since the plan’s adoption, SITES has continued to lead design and construction for Phase 1. Current work includes trailhead improvements, accessible trail connections, and planning for interpretive signage and public art that celebrate the environmental, social, and cultural value of acequias.
Bachechi Open Space
Located in Albuquerque’s North Valley, Bachechi Open Space Park is a 27-acre destination where everyday recreation meets deeper connections to nature and the city’s agricultural legacy. Designed by SITES, the park transforms a historic farmstead into a dynamic landscape that celebrates ecology, heritage, and community. As a gateway to the Rio Grande Valley State Park multi-use trail system, it welcomes hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, and nature lovers to explore regional landscapes, observe wildlife, and experience the spirit of the Rio Grande valley.
At its heart is a landscape that adapts the area’s agricultural past into a model of ecological richness and sustainability. A former pecan orchard remains, now entwined with a working arboretum of sycamores, junipers, and cottonwoods. Wetland depressions and xeric meadows replicate the valley’s natural rhythms, harvesting stormwater and roof runoff from the adjacent Environmental Education Building. The collected water is stored in above-ground cisterns that irrigate surrounding plantings, creating a landscape that is both beautiful and functional.
Wildlife watching stations dot the woodland, inviting visitors to pause and observe birds, toads, and riparian species, while trails wind through native plant forests and open meadows. Picnic areas, interpretive signage, and a memorial rose garden honor the site’s cultural roots, tracing back to the Bachechi family’s Italian immigrant heritage and early farming operations.
The layering of landscapes, including the orchard, arboretum, wetland boardwalk, meadow systems, and trail connections, reflects SITES’ holistic approach to design. It is a place where history, ecology, and recreation come together, and where Albuquerque’s open space legacy continues to thrive.
At its heart is a landscape that adapts the area’s agricultural past into a model of ecological richness and sustainability. A former pecan orchard remains, now entwined with a working arboretum of sycamores, junipers, and cottonwoods. Wetland depressions and xeric meadows replicate the valley’s natural rhythms, harvesting stormwater and roof runoff from the adjacent Environmental Education Building. The collected water is stored in above-ground cisterns that irrigate surrounding plantings, creating a landscape that is both beautiful and functional.
Wildlife watching stations dot the woodland, inviting visitors to pause and observe birds, toads, and riparian species, while trails wind through native plant forests and open meadows. Picnic areas, interpretive signage, and a memorial rose garden honor the site’s cultural roots, tracing back to the Bachechi family’s Italian immigrant heritage and early farming operations.
The layering of landscapes, including the orchard, arboretum, wetland boardwalk, meadow systems, and trail connections, reflects SITES’ holistic approach to design. It is a place where history, ecology, and recreation come together, and where Albuquerque’s open space legacy continues to thrive.
Bosque Revitalization
SITES, in collaboration with project engineers, led the design study for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that transformed the face of the Rio Grande in central New Mexico. This study served as the first phase of a comprehensive program to restore and revitalize the river corridor, setting the foundation for tens of millions of dollars in restoration work guided by its blueprint.
The plan aimed to restore the Bosque, the forested ecosystem along the river, to an ecologically sustainable and natural environment that provides exceptional visual, recreational, and interpretive opportunities for communities throughout the state and region.
The project involved extensive analysis, conceptual design, and public engagement to ensure both scientific integrity and community support. The Rio Grande Bosque Restoration Study was recognized nationally with the American Society of Landscape Architects National Honor Award for Planning and Analysis, celebrating its vision and enduring impact.
The plan aimed to restore the Bosque, the forested ecosystem along the river, to an ecologically sustainable and natural environment that provides exceptional visual, recreational, and interpretive opportunities for communities throughout the state and region.
The project involved extensive analysis, conceptual design, and public engagement to ensure both scientific integrity and community support. The Rio Grande Bosque Restoration Study was recognized nationally with the American Society of Landscape Architects National Honor Award for Planning and Analysis, celebrating its vision and enduring impact.
Corcoran “Corky” Park
SITES led a multidisciplinary team to bring new life to Corky Park, the central park for Horizon City and an important community gathering space adjacent to the future town center. The redesigned park supports a wide range of community events — from “Music in the Park” to the annual Christmas tree lighting — and now offers a more welcoming, functional, and activity-rich environment for residents.
The project introduced a central plaza, a plaza-style skatepark, a multi-use paved trail, upgraded baseball and softball fields, a new restroom building, multiple play structures, an embankment slide, outdoor sport courts, and new site furnishings. Twenty-two mature trees were preserved, providing valuable shade in the desert climate, while new trees, shrubs, and a modern irrigation system enhance the park’s ecological resilience.
Green infrastructure techniques are integrated throughout the design, including rain gardens and stormwater harvesting systems that support landscape health and reduce water demand. Together, these improvements establish Corky Park as a vibrant, flexible, and environmentally conscious centerpiece for Horizon City.
The project introduced a central plaza, a plaza-style skatepark, a multi-use paved trail, upgraded baseball and softball fields, a new restroom building, multiple play structures, an embankment slide, outdoor sport courts, and new site furnishings. Twenty-two mature trees were preserved, providing valuable shade in the desert climate, while new trees, shrubs, and a modern irrigation system enhance the park’s ecological resilience.
Green infrastructure techniques are integrated throughout the design, including rain gardens and stormwater harvesting systems that support landscape health and reduce water demand. Together, these improvements establish Corky Park as a vibrant, flexible, and environmentally conscious centerpiece for Horizon City.
East Mesa Sports & Recreation Complex
The East Mesa Sports & Recreation Complex is an $8.5 million project located near the East Lohman Corridor in Las Cruces, New Mexico. SITES collaborated with Wilson & Co Engineers and Architects to develop the master plan and later prepare full construction documents for this ambitious community recreation destination.
The master planning process was extensive and shaped by a comprehensive Public Information Plan that engaged a wide range of stakeholders, including trail and open space advocates, sports leagues, desert habitat supporters, nearby residents concerned about views of the Organ Mountains, biking groups, and representatives from the Bureau of Land Management. Their input helped ensure the design balanced recreation needs with environmental sensitivity and community priorities.
The final complex includes two access roads carefully routed to minimize impacts on the desert ecosystem and surrounding neighborhoods. Facilities throughout the site include soccer and football fields, baseball fields, pickleball courts, trails, playgrounds, a traditional park area, concessions and restrooms, and a greenway promenade that connects all major features. An amphitheater built into a natural hillside offers unique event and gathering opportunities while preserving the area’s natural landform.
The master planning process was extensive and shaped by a comprehensive Public Information Plan that engaged a wide range of stakeholders, including trail and open space advocates, sports leagues, desert habitat supporters, nearby residents concerned about views of the Organ Mountains, biking groups, and representatives from the Bureau of Land Management. Their input helped ensure the design balanced recreation needs with environmental sensitivity and community priorities.
The final complex includes two access roads carefully routed to minimize impacts on the desert ecosystem and surrounding neighborhoods. Facilities throughout the site include soccer and football fields, baseball fields, pickleball courts, trails, playgrounds, a traditional park area, concessions and restrooms, and a greenway promenade that connects all major features. An amphitheater built into a natural hillside offers unique event and gathering opportunities while preserving the area’s natural landform.
El Paso Open Space Enhancements
SITES led a multidisciplinary team to create unique, custom designs for improvements at two stormwater dam sites in El Paso: Van Buren Dam and Louisiana Dam. The team developed creative solutions that added community amenities while maintaining the full stormwater capacity and functional requirements of both facilities.
The design introduces a connected system of hard and soft surface trails that link new plazas and gathering spaces. Project amenities include upgraded lighting, ADA-accessible routes, interpretive educational signage, outdoor workout equipment, and enhanced protection of native vegetation. Areas previously disturbed during dam operations were restored with low-water desert plantings and efficient drip irrigation.
Sustainable stormwater strategies are central to the project. Check dams slow and capture runoff before it enters the city’s broader conveyance system, allowing the water to supplement irrigation for native plants. The design also preserves existing natural areas to protect the habitat and ecological health of the Chihuahuan Desert region, ensuring these critical landscapes continue to support local flora and fauna.
The design introduces a connected system of hard and soft surface trails that link new plazas and gathering spaces. Project amenities include upgraded lighting, ADA-accessible routes, interpretive educational signage, outdoor workout equipment, and enhanced protection of native vegetation. Areas previously disturbed during dam operations were restored with low-water desert plantings and efficient drip irrigation.
Sustainable stormwater strategies are central to the project. Check dams slow and capture runoff before it enters the city’s broader conveyance system, allowing the water to supplement irrigation for native plants. The design also preserves existing natural areas to protect the habitat and ecological health of the Chihuahuan Desert region, ensuring these critical landscapes continue to support local flora and fauna.
Farmington Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) Plan
SITES worked with the City of Farmington to develop a Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) Master Plan that guides near-term investments in facilities, programs, and policies to advance the department’s strategic goals. The plan was informed in part by collaboration with the City’s DEI Advisory Council, ensuring a broad range of community perspectives and lived experiences were considered throughout the process.
The plan was shaped by a robust community engagement process that included meetings with staff leadership, open conversations with each division’s frontline staff, public workshops, interactive activities at community events, a project website, and a citywide survey. These efforts grounded the plan in local priorities and insights from people who use, manage, and rely on the City’s parks, recreational facilities, and cultural spaces.
The resulting master plan provides a comprehensive, community-driven roadmap for enhancing Farmington’s parks and recreation system — supporting vibrant public spaces, meaningful programming, and a clear vision for the future of PRCA services.
The plan was shaped by a robust community engagement process that included meetings with staff leadership, open conversations with each division’s frontline staff, public workshops, interactive activities at community events, a project website, and a citywide survey. These efforts grounded the plan in local priorities and insights from people who use, manage, and rely on the City’s parks, recreational facilities, and cultural spaces.
The resulting master plan provides a comprehensive, community-driven roadmap for enhancing Farmington’s parks and recreation system — supporting vibrant public spaces, meaningful programming, and a clear vision for the future of PRCA services.
High Desert Community
High Desert is a 1,400-acre mixed-use community in the foothills of Albuquerque, developed with a strong emphasis on environmentally appropriate, naturalistic landscaping. The master plan preserves roughly 400 acres of open space and integrates sustainable design throughout the community. Over a 12-year period, SITES provided master planning, landscape design, research, and ongoing project management.
SITES designed the community’s streetscapes, drainage ponds, parks, trails, open spaces, and wildlife drinkers, all shaped around a closed-loop water system. Every drop of precipitation is harvested, filtered, and reused in the landscape. Plantings are drought-tolerant, with water captured from roads, rooftops, and other hard surfaces. Materials—including gravel, boulders, and many plants—were sourced within 50 miles, and native vegetation was preserved or enhanced using passive, gravity-fed irrigation. SITES also served on the design review committee and authored the High Desert Plant List and Landscape Revegetation Guidelines.
Two major water-focused projects were developed within the community. The High Desert Water Harvesting Project functions as an interactive storm drain distillation and retention facility, collecting water from nearby arroyos and streets. A circular, stone-clad kiva forms the ponding area, with walkways, seating, and space for a large seasonal-marker sculpture.
At Pino Pond, SITES preserved mature piñon and juniper stands while creating an interpretive trail that explains the geologic history of the Rio Grande Rift. The planting design replicates the natural ecotone progression from the summit of the Sandia Mountains down to the Rio Grande Valley, completing the project with a strong sense of ecological place.
SITES designed the community’s streetscapes, drainage ponds, parks, trails, open spaces, and wildlife drinkers, all shaped around a closed-loop water system. Every drop of precipitation is harvested, filtered, and reused in the landscape. Plantings are drought-tolerant, with water captured from roads, rooftops, and other hard surfaces. Materials—including gravel, boulders, and many plants—were sourced within 50 miles, and native vegetation was preserved or enhanced using passive, gravity-fed irrigation. SITES also served on the design review committee and authored the High Desert Plant List and Landscape Revegetation Guidelines.
Two major water-focused projects were developed within the community. The High Desert Water Harvesting Project functions as an interactive storm drain distillation and retention facility, collecting water from nearby arroyos and streets. A circular, stone-clad kiva forms the ponding area, with walkways, seating, and space for a large seasonal-marker sculpture.
At Pino Pond, SITES preserved mature piñon and juniper stands while creating an interpretive trail that explains the geologic history of the Rio Grande Rift. The planting design replicates the natural ecotone progression from the summit of the Sandia Mountains down to the Rio Grande Valley, completing the project with a strong sense of ecological place.
Joey Barraza & Vino Memorial Park
The 28-acre Joey Barraza & Vino Memorial Park on El Paso’s north side transforms a long-vacant parcel into one of the city’s most active community destinations. Formerly Northeast Regional Park, the site was renamed in 2018 to honor Border Patrol Agent Joey Barraza and his K-9 partner Vino, who both died in the line of duty. Funded through the 2012 Quality of Life Bond Program and a Texas Parks & Wildlife grant, the project reflects the City’s dedication to celebrating local heroes while expanding access to outdoor recreation.
SITES led the park’s design, connecting the new expansion to the existing park and trail system and weaving features such as the skate park and public art into a refreshed overall layout. The redeveloped park offers amenities for a wide range of users, including three championship soccer fields, the northeast’s first large-scale dog park, walking and jogging trails linked to the Paso del Norte Trail, a food truck plaza, and shaded areas for picnicking and informal gatherings.
An all-abilities playground serves as the park’s central feature, with interactive equipment, protective surfacing, and generous shade canopies. New plazas, seating areas, water fountains, and thoughtfully landscaped parking improve comfort and ease of use throughout the site.
Since reopening in 2023, Joey Barraza & Vino Memorial Park has become a lively hub for families, athletes, dog owners, and neighbors, offering a modern public space shaped around activity, connection, and community pride.
SITES led the park’s design, connecting the new expansion to the existing park and trail system and weaving features such as the skate park and public art into a refreshed overall layout. The redeveloped park offers amenities for a wide range of users, including three championship soccer fields, the northeast’s first large-scale dog park, walking and jogging trails linked to the Paso del Norte Trail, a food truck plaza, and shaded areas for picnicking and informal gatherings.
An all-abilities playground serves as the park’s central feature, with interactive equipment, protective surfacing, and generous shade canopies. New plazas, seating areas, water fountains, and thoughtfully landscaped parking improve comfort and ease of use throughout the site.
Since reopening in 2023, Joey Barraza & Vino Memorial Park has become a lively hub for families, athletes, dog owners, and neighbors, offering a modern public space shaped around activity, connection, and community pride.
Manzanita Ridge Neighborhood Park
SITES, Ashley Vance Engineering, and S&F Land Services partnered with Bend Parks and Recreation District to support the full public engagement and design process for Manzanita Ridge Park. Early outreach revealed a clear divide in community preferences. Some residents wanted a natural open space park, while others preferred a more traditional neighborhood park with areas to play, picnic, and gather.
To respond to the Shevlin West Neighborhood and surrounding communities, the team facilitated a strong engagement process that included online surveys, pop up events, and public meetings. Three concept options were developed and refined based on public and stakeholder input, leading to a final preferred design. The team then carried the plan through construction documents and provided construction oversight.
Manzanita Ridge Park recently opened, bringing the community’s shared vision to life. The design blends traditional park features such as a grassy lawn, playground, and nature play area with preserved high-desert open space that includes trails and native landscape. The result is a park that reflects the community’s varied needs and offers spaces for recreation, gathering, and quiet enjoyment of the natural environment.
To respond to the Shevlin West Neighborhood and surrounding communities, the team facilitated a strong engagement process that included online surveys, pop up events, and public meetings. Three concept options were developed and refined based on public and stakeholder input, leading to a final preferred design. The team then carried the plan through construction documents and provided construction oversight.
Manzanita Ridge Park recently opened, bringing the community’s shared vision to life. The design blends traditional park features such as a grassy lawn, playground, and nature play area with preserved high-desert open space that includes trails and native landscape. The result is a park that reflects the community’s varied needs and offers spaces for recreation, gathering, and quiet enjoyment of the natural environment.
New Mexico Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Update
SITES partnered with New Mexico State Parks, the Economic Development Department’s Outdoor Recreation Division, and the National Park Service to assess outdoor recreation resources, identify statewide trends, and complete an inventory of trails across New Mexico. The Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department, State Parks Division initiated the 2021–2026 update of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), which directs the State’s allocation from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
SITES led the planning process and was responsible for analyzing national and statewide recreation trends, summarizing the economic impact of outdoor recreation in New Mexico, and creating a comprehensive resource inventory with associated maps. The team also examined environmental opportunities and threats, explored the role of outdoor education, and evaluated ongoing issues related to access and equity in recreation opportunities.
The plan was developed through extensive engagement that included leaders from agencies, non-profits, and communities, as well as residents and recreationalists from across the state. The resulting recommendations outline long-term strategies for outdoor recreation planning and identify needs and opportunities for establishing recreation and historic trails in every region of New Mexico.
SITES led the planning process and was responsible for analyzing national and statewide recreation trends, summarizing the economic impact of outdoor recreation in New Mexico, and creating a comprehensive resource inventory with associated maps. The team also examined environmental opportunities and threats, explored the role of outdoor education, and evaluated ongoing issues related to access and equity in recreation opportunities.
The plan was developed through extensive engagement that included leaders from agencies, non-profits, and communities, as well as residents and recreationalists from across the state. The resulting recommendations outline long-term strategies for outdoor recreation planning and identify needs and opportunities for establishing recreation and historic trails in every region of New Mexico.
Paso del Norte Trail Master Plan
SITES led the comprehensive master planning effort for the Paso del Norte Trail in El Paso, a regional initiative rooted in the Paso del Norte Health Foundation’s mission to promote health, active living, and community well-being. The vision for the trail is ambitious. Once complete, the 60-plus-mile route will link the New Mexico–Texas border to the southeastern corner of El Paso County and connect to major destinations such as UTEP, Franklin Mountains Open Space, Mission Valley communities, and a proposed loop through Juarez. It also serves as the Texas continuation of New Mexico’s planned Rio Grande Trail.
The master plan highlights the history, culture, and landscape of the region. Themes draw from El Camino Real, the agricultural heritage of the Rio Grande, and the area’s mission sites, expressed through design elements and interpretive opportunities. The system incorporates a range of trail types that include paved multi-use paths, unpaved ditch and levee roads, and urban segments with enhanced sidewalks and bikeways.
As implementation progresses, SITES continues to support several engineering firms with the design of key trail segments, including the Playa Drain Trail and the Border Highway Trail. These projects introduce comfortable pedestrian routes with benches, trash receptacles, pet waste stations, and new desert-adapted landscaping to provide shade and ecological value. By activating underused corridors and improving access across neighborhoods, the Paso del Norte Trail advances regional connectivity and encourages healthier, more active communities.
The master plan highlights the history, culture, and landscape of the region. Themes draw from El Camino Real, the agricultural heritage of the Rio Grande, and the area’s mission sites, expressed through design elements and interpretive opportunities. The system incorporates a range of trail types that include paved multi-use paths, unpaved ditch and levee roads, and urban segments with enhanced sidewalks and bikeways.
As implementation progresses, SITES continues to support several engineering firms with the design of key trail segments, including the Playa Drain Trail and the Border Highway Trail. These projects introduce comfortable pedestrian routes with benches, trash receptacles, pet waste stations, and new desert-adapted landscaping to provide shade and ecological value. By activating underused corridors and improving access across neighborhoods, the Paso del Norte Trail advances regional connectivity and encourages healthier, more active communities.
Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint
The Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint is the first overlook along the Historic Columbia River Highway as visitors head east from Portland, offering one of the most iconic views of the Columbia River Gorge. SITES worked with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to develop a comprehensive plan for revitalizing this celebrated site, balancing visitor access, resource protection, and the preservation of its historic character.
The design addressed priorities identified in the Columbia River Gorge Management Units Plan and incorporated standards from the Scenic Resources Implementation Handbook, the HCRH Trail Design Guidelines, and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Management Plan. It focused on enhancing the visitor experience by separating vehicles from pedestrian viewing areas and introducing an ADA-accessible route across the site’s steep slopes.
Other proposed improvements included expanded but discreetly screened parking, new restroom facilities, additional seating and gathering areas, and amenities for cyclists and trail users entering the Gorge. The design also emphasized environmental stewardship through invasive species removal, native plant restoration, and preservation of historic monuments.
Public engagement was a key part of the process. SITES supported Oregon Parks and Recreation Department-led outreach through opportunities-and-constraints analyses, schematic concepts, and refined designs shaped by community feedback. The resulting plan provides a clear, context-sensitive vision for improving accessibility and sustainability at one of the Pacific Northwest’s most remarkable viewpoints.
The design addressed priorities identified in the Columbia River Gorge Management Units Plan and incorporated standards from the Scenic Resources Implementation Handbook, the HCRH Trail Design Guidelines, and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Management Plan. It focused on enhancing the visitor experience by separating vehicles from pedestrian viewing areas and introducing an ADA-accessible route across the site’s steep slopes.
Other proposed improvements included expanded but discreetly screened parking, new restroom facilities, additional seating and gathering areas, and amenities for cyclists and trail users entering the Gorge. The design also emphasized environmental stewardship through invasive species removal, native plant restoration, and preservation of historic monuments.
Public engagement was a key part of the process. SITES supported Oregon Parks and Recreation Department-led outreach through opportunities-and-constraints analyses, schematic concepts, and refined designs shaped by community feedback. The resulting plan provides a clear, context-sensitive vision for improving accessibility and sustainability at one of the Pacific Northwest’s most remarkable viewpoints.
Rio Grande Trail Master Plan
SITES partnered with Alta Planning + Design to help the New Mexico State Parks Division advance the long-envisioned Rio Grande Trail. Spanning more than 500 miles from Colorado to Texas, the master plan builds on earlier work—including previous efforts by SITES—that identified potential trail alignments through the southern two thirds of the state.
For this phase, the team developed a numeric ranking system to evaluate and refine those earlier alignment options and explored new alternatives through the northern third of New Mexico. The result is a recommended border-to-border route that links Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.
The master plan also provides guidance on trail types suited to the state’s varied landscapes, user needs and accommodations, implementation strategies, and long-term management approaches to support a continuous, high quality recreational corridor.
For this phase, the team developed a numeric ranking system to evaluate and refine those earlier alignment options and explored new alternatives through the northern third of New Mexico. The result is a recommended border-to-border route that links Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.
The master plan also provides guidance on trail types suited to the state’s varied landscapes, user needs and accommodations, implementation strategies, and long-term management approaches to support a continuous, high quality recreational corridor.
Sandia Ranch Master Plan
Bernalillo County hired SITES to prepare a Master Plan and schematic design for the 20-acre Sandia Ranch property in Albuquerque. This agriculturally focused project involved extensive public engagement and close coordination with the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District and the American Sign Language Academy. SITES led the site analysis, programming, master planning, and preparation of construction documents.
The program for Sandia Ranch reflects the site’s agricultural heritage and community-oriented mission. Planned features include zones for animal husbandry and farming with field seed plots, orchards, and vineyards. Trails follow the historic Camino Real and the acequia that runs through the property. Additional elements include 4H and County Extension Service offices and grounds, an arena with bleachers and pens, a small neighborhood park and playground, master gardening areas, a rodeo arena, and an interpretive kiosk for El Camino.
The resulting plan creates a multifunctional, educational, and agricultural landscape that serves both local residents and regional partners.
The program for Sandia Ranch reflects the site’s agricultural heritage and community-oriented mission. Planned features include zones for animal husbandry and farming with field seed plots, orchards, and vineyards. Trails follow the historic Camino Real and the acequia that runs through the property. Additional elements include 4H and County Extension Service offices and grounds, an arena with bleachers and pens, a small neighborhood park and playground, master gardening areas, a rodeo arena, and an interpretive kiosk for El Camino.
The resulting plan creates a multifunctional, educational, and agricultural landscape that serves both local residents and regional partners.
Tiguex Park and Albuquerque Museum District Master Plan
Tiguex Park has been a cornerstone of Albuquerque’s public life since the 1970s, connecting the city’s historic Old Town Plaza and shopping district to its three major museums. More than a neighborhood park, it serves as a civic gathering space, a recreational hub, and a cultural gateway for residents and visitors alike.
Working with the City of Albuquerque, SITES developed a master plan to reinvigorate this beloved urban park while strengthening its role within the broader Museum District. The plan addressed updated program needs, improved drainage and water conservation, enhanced safety and visibility, and ensured accessibility for all users. A detailed analysis of surrounding land uses and urban connections informed the park’s redesign, creating stronger visual and physical links between Tiguex Park, the museums, and the adjacent neighborhoods.
To reinforce a sense of place, SITES introduced a cohesive system of aesthetic elements, including new pathways, gathering spaces, and signature gateway monuments built with local materials and inspired by historic building forms. Combined with sustainable landscape design and native plantings, these improvements reestablished Tiguex Park as both a neighborhood anchor and a destination within the city’s cultural core.
Working with the City of Albuquerque, SITES developed a master plan to reinvigorate this beloved urban park while strengthening its role within the broader Museum District. The plan addressed updated program needs, improved drainage and water conservation, enhanced safety and visibility, and ensured accessibility for all users. A detailed analysis of surrounding land uses and urban connections informed the park’s redesign, creating stronger visual and physical links between Tiguex Park, the museums, and the adjacent neighborhoods.
To reinforce a sense of place, SITES introduced a cohesive system of aesthetic elements, including new pathways, gathering spaces, and signature gateway monuments built with local materials and inspired by historic building forms. Combined with sustainable landscape design and native plantings, these improvements reestablished Tiguex Park as both a neighborhood anchor and a destination within the city’s cultural core.
Valle De Oro Master Plan
SITES partnered with Wilson & Co. and a multi-agency team—including the Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo & Flood Control Authority (AMAFCA), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), and Ducks Unlimited—to craft the master plan for the nation’s first purpose-designed urban wildlife refuge in Albuquerque’s South Valley.
Located on a former dairy farm just south of Albuquerque, the 570-acre refuge has been transformed through thoughtful planning into a landscape that supports both wildlife and community. From the outset the project employed an extensive public-interaction strategy involving workshops, charrettes, field trips, public gatherings, and meetings with local and national agencies.
The plan’s vision included restoring habitat for waterfowl and other avian and land-based species, creating six wetland or management units, organizing the site around fields informed by its agricultural history, and weaving in both pedestrian and equestrian trails. Botany study labs, children’s learning exhibits, and a salt-grass habitat emphasize education and ecology. Innovative stormwater features serve as both functional art and infrastructure that cleanses runoff before it reaches the Rio Grande.
At its core, this project reflects SITES’ commitment to designing landscapes that serve people, habitat, and process in equal measure. Valle de Oro stands as a model of how ecological restoration, public engagement, and community access can converge in an urban setting, offering memorable outdoor experiences and meaningful stewardship opportunities for decades to come.
Located on a former dairy farm just south of Albuquerque, the 570-acre refuge has been transformed through thoughtful planning into a landscape that supports both wildlife and community. From the outset the project employed an extensive public-interaction strategy involving workshops, charrettes, field trips, public gatherings, and meetings with local and national agencies.
The plan’s vision included restoring habitat for waterfowl and other avian and land-based species, creating six wetland or management units, organizing the site around fields informed by its agricultural history, and weaving in both pedestrian and equestrian trails. Botany study labs, children’s learning exhibits, and a salt-grass habitat emphasize education and ecology. Innovative stormwater features serve as both functional art and infrastructure that cleanses runoff before it reaches the Rio Grande.
At its core, this project reflects SITES’ commitment to designing landscapes that serve people, habitat, and process in equal measure. Valle de Oro stands as a model of how ecological restoration, public engagement, and community access can converge in an urban setting, offering memorable outdoor experiences and meaningful stewardship opportunities for decades to come.
Village of Ruidoso Comprehensive Plan
SITES has a long-standing partnership with the Village of Ruidoso, supporting efforts that include comprehensive planning, the designation and planning of two metropolitan redevelopment areas, workforce housing initiatives, and zoning code updates. The Village’s most recent Comprehensive Plan focused on strengthening the local economy by diversifying job opportunities while continuing to support Ruidoso’s tourism-driven businesses. Residents emphasized the need for living wage employment, workforce housing, and more recreational options for youth and families. Resiliency and emergency preparedness related to wildfire and flooding were also central to the plan.
Community feedback played a major role in shaping the recommendations. SITES facilitated a large public forum and a series of focus groups during a multi day site visit, where meals were provided to encourage participation. Absentee property owners, Village staff, and local leadership all assisted in outreach efforts, resulting in exceptional attendance across all events.
Village staff were engaged throughout the process and helped refine the final recommendations, which made it easier to integrate the plan’s actions into department work programs. Since adoption, the Village has taken steady steps toward implementation, including utility reviews and upgrades, zoning code amendments, and improvements to parks and public facilities.
Community feedback played a major role in shaping the recommendations. SITES facilitated a large public forum and a series of focus groups during a multi day site visit, where meals were provided to encourage participation. Absentee property owners, Village staff, and local leadership all assisted in outreach efforts, resulting in exceptional attendance across all events.
Village staff were engaged throughout the process and helped refine the final recommendations, which made it easier to integrate the plan’s actions into department work programs. Since adoption, the Village has taken steady steps toward implementation, including utility reviews and upgrades, zoning code amendments, and improvements to parks and public facilities.
Vistoso Trails Master Plan
SITES prepared the Vistoso Trails Master Plan for the Town of Oro Valley, creating a community-focused plan that honored the area’s natural resources while aligning with the Town’s vision for high quality open space. The project required a careful balance between community amenities and long-term conservation goals, and SITES delivered a plan that met both.
Public engagement was central to the process. To make participation easy and effective, SITES held meetings in locations similar to the site being planned, allowing residents to experience comparable environments as they provided input. Community feedback shaped key elements of the plan, including nature play areas, an amphitheater for classes and star gazing, and safer pedestrian connections for children walking from the nearby school. SITES also worked with the school to designate parking areas that make it convenient for families to access the trail system.
The project area winds through an affluent residential community with ongoing development, a pattern similar to the High Desert Community Plan. That experience helped SITES tailor a design that fits seamlessly within its surroundings while remaining true to the project’s conservation goals.
Partnerships were essential to the plan’s success. SITES worked closely with The Conservation Fund, the Arizona chapter of Audubon, and local archaeologists to ensure that preservation remained at the center of the design. The plan protects wildlife habitat, enhances bird-friendly open spaces, and safeguards on-site petroglyphs, integrating conservation into every aspect of the trail system.
Public engagement was central to the process. To make participation easy and effective, SITES held meetings in locations similar to the site being planned, allowing residents to experience comparable environments as they provided input. Community feedback shaped key elements of the plan, including nature play areas, an amphitheater for classes and star gazing, and safer pedestrian connections for children walking from the nearby school. SITES also worked with the school to designate parking areas that make it convenient for families to access the trail system.
The project area winds through an affluent residential community with ongoing development, a pattern similar to the High Desert Community Plan. That experience helped SITES tailor a design that fits seamlessly within its surroundings while remaining true to the project’s conservation goals.
Partnerships were essential to the plan’s success. SITES worked closely with The Conservation Fund, the Arizona chapter of Audubon, and local archaeologists to ensure that preservation remained at the center of the design. The plan protects wildlife habitat, enhances bird-friendly open spaces, and safeguards on-site petroglyphs, integrating conservation into every aspect of the trail system.
Winrock Town Center
The former Winrock Mall in Albuquerque has been transformed into a vibrant mixed-use town center, anchored by a new central park created in partnership with the City of Albuquerque. SITES served as the landscape architect for the park, working with PACE Advanced Water Engineering and Modulus to design a dynamic public space that supports recreation, gathering, and year-round activity.
The park features an event amphitheater and lawn, a large playground with both nature based and traditional play areas, a lake framed by bridges and restaurant patios, and a network of plazas and soft and hard surface trails. Additional elements include an educational kiosk, an orchard and entry plaza near the Dillard’s entrance, and a curving pathway system that guides visitors to spaces along the water’s edge as well as quieter, more contemplative areas set back from the lake.
Native planting was selected to support water conservation and climate resilience. A small high tech water treatment system supplies reclaimed water to the lake, which is then reused for park irrigation. Interpretive signage throughout the site shares the story of the park’s design and reinforces the community’s long term sustainability goals.
The park features an event amphitheater and lawn, a large playground with both nature based and traditional play areas, a lake framed by bridges and restaurant patios, and a network of plazas and soft and hard surface trails. Additional elements include an educational kiosk, an orchard and entry plaza near the Dillard’s entrance, and a curving pathway system that guides visitors to spaces along the water’s edge as well as quieter, more contemplative areas set back from the lake.
Native planting was selected to support water conservation and climate resilience. A small high tech water treatment system supplies reclaimed water to the lake, which is then reused for park irrigation. Interpretive signage throughout the site shares the story of the park’s design and reinforces the community’s long term sustainability goals.
At SITES, we understand that outdoor spaces are essential to community health, identity, and connection. With deep Southwestern roots and a strong understanding of arid land ecosystems, we approach parks and recreation planning with sustainability, creativity, and cultural sensitivity at the forefront. We believe access to nature should be available to all—regardless of age, ability, or income. Our interdisciplinary team has crafted plans and construction documents for nature play areas, trail systems, sports facilities, interpretive sites, and inclusive neighborhood parks. These spaces foster deep engagement with nature, cultural expression, and environmental education while enhancing quality of life and resilience.
SITES recognizes that urban areas and village centers offer a powerful opportunity to apply placemaking principles toward vibrant, walkable, and economically resilient cities. We shape public spaces that enhance functionality and beauty while driving foot traffic and supporting local businesses. Our projects include plazas, pedestrian corridors, multimodal streets, and pocket parks—designed to elevate livability and reflect community identity. By integrating sustainable infrastructure, green space, and human-scaled design, we help address stormwater, reduce heat islands, and promote climate-conscious urbanism. Our streetscape and urban design work empowers cities to become places of pride, creativity, and connection.
Albuquerque International Sunport - Sunport Roadway Landscape Improvements
Every arrival and departure at the Albuquerque International Sunport begins with a journey through the landscape, and with it, a first impression of New Mexico. SITES reimagined the Sunport roadway corridor to celebrate that sense of place while advancing the City’s water conservation goals.
The design transformed what had been water-hungry turf medians into a living gateway that reflects the beauty and resilience of the high desert. Native yuccas, drought-tolerant perennials, and colorful seasonal plantings frame stone retaining walls and terraces, creating texture and movement throughout the approach. A central water-harvesting swale captures and filters stormwater, reducing maintenance needs and cutting irrigation demand by more than half.
The project also introduced expressive new features: a signature LED gateway sign welcoming travelers, and four large-scale Native design pots illuminated by solar lighting. Together, these elements shape a corridor that feels unmistakably Albuquerque, rooted in culture, defined by sustainability, and designed to leave a lasting impression of the landscape that makes this city unique.
The design transformed what had been water-hungry turf medians into a living gateway that reflects the beauty and resilience of the high desert. Native yuccas, drought-tolerant perennials, and colorful seasonal plantings frame stone retaining walls and terraces, creating texture and movement throughout the approach. A central water-harvesting swale captures and filters stormwater, reducing maintenance needs and cutting irrigation demand by more than half.
The project also introduced expressive new features: a signature LED gateway sign welcoming travelers, and four large-scale Native design pots illuminated by solar lighting. Together, these elements shape a corridor that feels unmistakably Albuquerque, rooted in culture, defined by sustainability, and designed to leave a lasting impression of the landscape that makes this city unique.
Ashley Pond Park
SITES was commissioned by Los Alamos County to develop plans for the rehabilitation of Ashley Pond Park, the community’s central gathering space and a historic resource once used by the Los Alamos Ranch School. Located within the Fuller Lodge Historic District, the park continues to play an essential role in the identity of both Los Alamos and New Mexico.
The project focused on two primary goals: creating a continuous walkway that connects the park to the Fuller Lodge Historic District, and improving the pond’s water quality, which had been affected by eutrophication. The redevelopment included rehabilitating bulkheads and sidewalks, upgrading lake engineering systems, and improving pedestrian access between the street, parking areas, and the water’s edge.
SITES also redesigned the lakeside landscape to enhance beauty and function while respecting the park’s historic character. The result is a revitalized public space that honors its past while serving as a vibrant centerpiece for the community.
The project focused on two primary goals: creating a continuous walkway that connects the park to the Fuller Lodge Historic District, and improving the pond’s water quality, which had been affected by eutrophication. The redevelopment included rehabilitating bulkheads and sidewalks, upgrading lake engineering systems, and improving pedestrian access between the street, parking areas, and the water’s edge.
SITES also redesigned the lakeside landscape to enhance beauty and function while respecting the park’s historic character. The result is a revitalized public space that honors its past while serving as a vibrant centerpiece for the community.
Carrizozo Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Plan
SITES partnered with the Town of Carrizozo to develop a Downtown Master Plan and Redevelopment Strategy focused on strengthening the local economy, attracting visitors, and supporting rehabilitation along NM 54 and 12th Street. The plan built upon the earlier Historic Carrizozo Revitalization Plan completed through New Mexico MainStreet’s Frontier Communities Initiative in 2015, expanding on those ideas with new strategies for long-term growth.
The process emphasized community collaboration and the town’s growing identity as an arts-focused destination. SITES engaged residents through interactive workshops, small group discussions, and an online project website that shared meeting information and draft materials. This approach ensured participation from residents both in person and remotely.
Community engagement guided every stage of the plan. Initial workshops gathered input on local priorities, and follow-up sessions helped refine goals and identify the most promising projects. SITES ultimately developed fifteen project ideas for downtown revitalization, including streetscape improvements, a district wayfinding system, an outdoor performance space, free downtown Wi-Fi, façade upgrades, a community trail system, affordable housing opportunities, and marketing and economic development strategies.
Together, these ideas form a clear and actionable path for Carrizozo’s continued growth as a creative and welcoming community.
The process emphasized community collaboration and the town’s growing identity as an arts-focused destination. SITES engaged residents through interactive workshops, small group discussions, and an online project website that shared meeting information and draft materials. This approach ensured participation from residents both in person and remotely.
Community engagement guided every stage of the plan. Initial workshops gathered input on local priorities, and follow-up sessions helped refine goals and identify the most promising projects. SITES ultimately developed fifteen project ideas for downtown revitalization, including streetscape improvements, a district wayfinding system, an outdoor performance space, free downtown Wi-Fi, façade upgrades, a community trail system, affordable housing opportunities, and marketing and economic development strategies.
Together, these ideas form a clear and actionable path for Carrizozo’s continued growth as a creative and welcoming community.
Central Avenue Streetscape Urban Design Plan
SITES led the design for the revitalization of a historic stretch of Route 66 along Central Avenue in Albuquerque. The project focused on the section extending from 8th Street in downtown to Coors Road, with additional study of the corridor continuing west to the top of Nine Mile Hill.
Working closely with the City of Albuquerque, SITES aligned the design with the community’s goal to reestablish Central Avenue as a vibrant center of neighborhood life, commerce, and cultural history. The plan emphasized the aesthetic and functional rebuilding of the corridor through a blend of urban design and landscape architecture.
Key improvements included wider pedestrian zones, enhanced transit areas, new lighting, street furniture, landscaping, and roadway upgrades. SITES also studied street edge conditions and developed guidelines for future development along the corridor, reinforcing Central Avenue’s identity as one of Albuquerque’s most significant historic and civic spaces.
Working closely with the City of Albuquerque, SITES aligned the design with the community’s goal to reestablish Central Avenue as a vibrant center of neighborhood life, commerce, and cultural history. The plan emphasized the aesthetic and functional rebuilding of the corridor through a blend of urban design and landscape architecture.
Key improvements included wider pedestrian zones, enhanced transit areas, new lighting, street furniture, landscaping, and roadway upgrades. SITES also studied street edge conditions and developed guidelines for future development along the corridor, reinforcing Central Avenue’s identity as one of Albuquerque’s most significant historic and civic spaces.
Central New Mexico Community College Student Resource Center Plaza
Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) has seen many changes across its campus near Coal Avenue and University Boulevard. One of the most visible transformations is the plaza in front of the Student Resources Center. Once an underused lawn and later an expanse of gray crushed gravel intended for ceremonial events, the site lacked comfort, shade, and meaningful everyday use.
In 2021, CNM commissioned SITES to reimagine the area as a central gathering space that would support campus life. The new plaza features a series of custom-designed radial shade structures surrounding an elevated stage, creating a flexible space for events, performances, casual gatherings, and day-to-day student use. The canopies provide shade and weather protection from above and were also designed to screen low-angle sun from the sides, significantly improving comfort throughout the day.
Sustainable water strategies were integrated into the design, with rainwater captured from the shade structures and permeable pavers, then directed into a subsurface distribution system and bioswale that irrigate shade trees throughout the plaza. The enhanced gathering space opened to students and faculty in fall 2022, offering a welcoming and functional new centerpiece for the CNM campus.
In 2021, CNM commissioned SITES to reimagine the area as a central gathering space that would support campus life. The new plaza features a series of custom-designed radial shade structures surrounding an elevated stage, creating a flexible space for events, performances, casual gatherings, and day-to-day student use. The canopies provide shade and weather protection from above and were also designed to screen low-angle sun from the sides, significantly improving comfort throughout the day.
Sustainable water strategies were integrated into the design, with rainwater captured from the shade structures and permeable pavers, then directed into a subsurface distribution system and bioswale that irrigate shade trees throughout the plaza. The enhanced gathering space opened to students and faculty in fall 2022, offering a welcoming and functional new centerpiece for the CNM campus.
Convair Road Improvement
SITES partnered with El Paso International Airport (EPIA) and the project engineering team to transform Convair Road into a vibrant and welcoming corridor for travelers arriving in or departing from El Paso. The design showcases the region’s character through low-water, high-color plantings that create an iconic first impression for visitors and a refreshed experience for residents who frequently pass through the airport campus.
As part of the project, SITES introduced a cutting-edge, low-voltage landscape lighting system that allows airport staff to easily change lighting colors and displays from a computer or smartphone. This flexibility enables EPIA to customize lighting for events, holidays, athletic teams, and other special occasions, adding a dynamic and memorable visual feature to the corridor.
Improvements along Convair Road include widened walkways, new street trees, vibrant shrubs, decorative screen walls, low-water drip irrigation, low-voltage lighting, and pedestrian rest areas equipped with site furnishings. The result is a colorful, resilient, and engaging roadway environment that enriches the overall experience of those coming, going, or simply passing by the airport.
As part of the project, SITES introduced a cutting-edge, low-voltage landscape lighting system that allows airport staff to easily change lighting colors and displays from a computer or smartphone. This flexibility enables EPIA to customize lighting for events, holidays, athletic teams, and other special occasions, adding a dynamic and memorable visual feature to the corridor.
Improvements along Convair Road include widened walkways, new street trees, vibrant shrubs, decorative screen walls, low-water drip irrigation, low-voltage lighting, and pedestrian rest areas equipped with site furnishings. The result is a colorful, resilient, and engaging roadway environment that enriches the overall experience of those coming, going, or simply passing by the airport.
East Downtown Albuquerque
The East Downtown (EDO) Revitalization brought a fresh, walkable vision to Albuquerque’s historic corridor, blending New Urbanist principles with local character. Centered on Central Avenue, Broadway Boulevard, and the former Old Albuquerque High School campus, the project transformed an underused district into a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood that celebrates community and place.
SITES contributed to the overall master plan, collaborating closely with design partners on site composition and landscape concepts for the first phases of redevelopment. The transformation of the Old Albuquerque High School into residential lofts anchored the effort—preserving the original architecture while introducing inviting outdoor “rooms,” landscaped plazas, and flexible gathering spaces that encourage connection and activity.
Building on that success, the EDO Master Plan established design standards for the surrounding area, guiding streetscapes, parks, roundabouts, and public plazas with a focus on sustainability, accessibility, and livability. SITES also supported the development team through conceptual design, cost estimating, and on-street parking analysis to ensure a cohesive and enduring urban fabric.
SITES contributed to the overall master plan, collaborating closely with design partners on site composition and landscape concepts for the first phases of redevelopment. The transformation of the Old Albuquerque High School into residential lofts anchored the effort—preserving the original architecture while introducing inviting outdoor “rooms,” landscaped plazas, and flexible gathering spaces that encourage connection and activity.
Building on that success, the EDO Master Plan established design standards for the surrounding area, guiding streetscapes, parks, roundabouts, and public plazas with a focus on sustainability, accessibility, and livability. SITES also supported the development team through conceptual design, cost estimating, and on-street parking analysis to ensure a cohesive and enduring urban fabric.
East Lohman Development Plan
SITES led a multidisciplinary planning and urban design team to prepare a master plan for the 150-acre East Lohman Site, a key growth area on the east side of Las Cruces. Guided by a detailed market study, the plan envisions a pedestrian-oriented, environmentally sensitive mixed-use community with neighborhood centers that complement surrounding land uses. It also includes strategies and actionable steps for the City to support high-quality development aligned with the plan’s vision.
The planning process was highly collaborative, involving city staff, elected officials, business and institutional representatives, property owners, and community members. Public engagement played a central role throughout. The City first identified key stakeholders who participated in focus groups, followed by design workshops, public meetings, and public hearings attended by residents and project partners. Their feedback shaped three alternative development scenarios, each with its own programmatic emphasis and urban structure.
Each scenario explored creative pedestrian-oriented and urban design concepts. The final master plan blends the strongest and most widely supported ideas from these alternatives, resulting in a cohesive vision that earned enthusiastic approval from both elected officials and residents.
The planning process was highly collaborative, involving city staff, elected officials, business and institutional representatives, property owners, and community members. Public engagement played a central role throughout. The City first identified key stakeholders who participated in focus groups, followed by design workshops, public meetings, and public hearings attended by residents and project partners. Their feedback shaped three alternative development scenarios, each with its own programmatic emphasis and urban structure.
Each scenario explored creative pedestrian-oriented and urban design concepts. The final master plan blends the strongest and most widely supported ideas from these alternatives, resulting in a cohesive vision that earned enthusiastic approval from both elected officials and residents.
Farmington Animas Action Plan
SITES led a multidisciplinary team to prepare an Action Plan for the revitalization of the Animas District in Farmington. Once a hub for local agriculture and later a center for energy-sector industrial uses, the area had become increasingly blighted and overlooked. With nearby assets such as the renovated Main Street, the Animas River, and the San Juan Regional Medical Center, the district presented a significant opportunity to reimagine a vibrant neighborhood with modest-scale housing and improved connections to the community.
Through extensive planning and public engagement, the team developed a master plan that reconnects the district to both its natural environment and the town center. Key strategies include integrating regional trails, parks, and educational opportunities along the Animas River; incorporating orchards and open space to honor the area’s agricultural legacy; promoting “missing middle” housing types to expand local housing options; and enhancing streets and infrastructure to better link destinations and support walkability throughout the district.
Through extensive planning and public engagement, the team developed a master plan that reconnects the district to both its natural environment and the town center. Key strategies include integrating regional trails, parks, and educational opportunities along the Animas River; incorporating orchards and open space to honor the area’s agricultural legacy; promoting “missing middle” housing types to expand local housing options; and enhancing streets and infrastructure to better link destinations and support walkability throughout the district.
Gallup - Coal Avenue Commons
The Coal Avenue Commons project, funded through the National Endowment for the Arts’ Our Town initiative and matched by local partners, brings together arts, culture, and community to support the revitalization of downtown Gallup. The project is the result of years of collaboration among the City of Gallup, McKinley County, gallupARTS, Gallup MainStreet Arts & Cultural District, the Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments, the McCune Foundation, and the state’s only Business Improvement District.
Guided by a robust and highly creative public engagement process, the team worked to develop a flexible, business-friendly event street that reflects Gallup’s cultural identity and supports everyday community life. The outcome is an innovative yet achievable design, complete with construction-ready documents, that positions Coal Avenue as a welcoming and art-focused gathering place for residents and visitors.
Coal Avenue Commons stands as a strong example of creative placemaking — a project that uses art and culture to spark lasting social and economic change in the heart of the community.
Guided by a robust and highly creative public engagement process, the team worked to develop a flexible, business-friendly event street that reflects Gallup’s cultural identity and supports everyday community life. The outcome is an innovative yet achievable design, complete with construction-ready documents, that positions Coal Avenue as a welcoming and art-focused gathering place for residents and visitors.
Coal Avenue Commons stands as a strong example of creative placemaking — a project that uses art and culture to spark lasting social and economic change in the heart of the community.
High Desert Community
High Desert is a 1,400-acre mixed-use community in the foothills of Albuquerque, developed with a strong emphasis on environmentally appropriate, naturalistic landscaping. The master plan preserves roughly 400 acres of open space and integrates sustainable design throughout the community. Over a 12-year period, SITES provided master planning, landscape design, research, and ongoing project management.
SITES designed the community’s streetscapes, drainage ponds, parks, trails, open spaces, and wildlife drinkers, all shaped around a closed-loop water system. Every drop of precipitation is harvested, filtered, and reused in the landscape. Plantings are drought-tolerant, with water captured from roads, rooftops, and other hard surfaces. Materials—including gravel, boulders, and many plants—were sourced within 50 miles, and native vegetation was preserved or enhanced using passive, gravity-fed irrigation. SITES also served on the design review committee and authored the High Desert Plant List and Landscape Revegetation Guidelines.
Two major water-focused projects were developed within the community. The High Desert Water Harvesting Project functions as an interactive storm drain distillation and retention facility, collecting water from nearby arroyos and streets. A circular, stone-clad kiva forms the ponding area, with walkways, seating, and space for a large seasonal-marker sculpture.
At Pino Pond, SITES preserved mature piñon and juniper stands while creating an interpretive trail that explains the geologic history of the Rio Grande Rift. The planting design replicates the natural ecotone progression from the summit of the Sandia Mountains down to the Rio Grande Valley, completing the project with a strong sense of ecological place.
SITES designed the community’s streetscapes, drainage ponds, parks, trails, open spaces, and wildlife drinkers, all shaped around a closed-loop water system. Every drop of precipitation is harvested, filtered, and reused in the landscape. Plantings are drought-tolerant, with water captured from roads, rooftops, and other hard surfaces. Materials—including gravel, boulders, and many plants—were sourced within 50 miles, and native vegetation was preserved or enhanced using passive, gravity-fed irrigation. SITES also served on the design review committee and authored the High Desert Plant List and Landscape Revegetation Guidelines.
Two major water-focused projects were developed within the community. The High Desert Water Harvesting Project functions as an interactive storm drain distillation and retention facility, collecting water from nearby arroyos and streets. A circular, stone-clad kiva forms the ponding area, with walkways, seating, and space for a large seasonal-marker sculpture.
At Pino Pond, SITES preserved mature piñon and juniper stands while creating an interpretive trail that explains the geologic history of the Rio Grande Rift. The planting design replicates the natural ecotone progression from the summit of the Sandia Mountains down to the Rio Grande Valley, completing the project with a strong sense of ecological place.
Las Cruces Downtown Master Plan
The City of Las Cruces hired SITES to develop a vision and planning strategy for revitalizing its downtown. A central focus of this effort was the reopening of Main Street to restore it as a major north–south arterial that would bring energy, activity, and thousands of daily travelers back into the heart of the city. The broader redevelopment strategy called for a new civic plaza and government buildings, stronger support for specialty retail and service providers, and a renewed emphasis on downtown as a center for arts and culture.
SITES served as the lead consultant for the plan’s catalyst project, the Main Street Plaza. The plaza is designed as a flexible, curbless street with shade structures, lit bollards, and special paving. It can be closed to vehicles for festivals, performances, markets, and other community events. During the design process, computer generated visual simulations helped residents and decision makers picture how a more active and welcoming downtown could look and feel.
SITES also designed distinctive landscape improvements for two key civic buildings in the district: Las Cruces City Hall and the Las Cruces Federal Courthouse. Together, these projects support a long-term vision for a lively, connected, and people-focused downtown.
SITES served as the lead consultant for the plan’s catalyst project, the Main Street Plaza. The plaza is designed as a flexible, curbless street with shade structures, lit bollards, and special paving. It can be closed to vehicles for festivals, performances, markets, and other community events. During the design process, computer generated visual simulations helped residents and decision makers picture how a more active and welcoming downtown could look and feel.
SITES also designed distinctive landscape improvements for two key civic buildings in the district: Las Cruces City Hall and the Las Cruces Federal Courthouse. Together, these projects support a long-term vision for a lively, connected, and people-focused downtown.
Las Vegas Great Blocks
SITES was commissioned by New Mexico MainStreet to provide planning and design services for the Great Blocks Program in Las Vegas’ Historic Railroad District. The project focused on three blocks along Lincoln and Railroad Avenues, an area rich in history and positioned for renewed activity.
The redesign of Railroad Avenue creates a two-lane street with parallel parking and generous sidewalks on both sides. The wider east side accommodates both a walkway and a multi-use path for bicycles and pedestrians, which is planned to extend south and connect with the Galleta River Trail. A small sidewalk plaza and a mid-block crossing at the historic Castaneda Hotel improve pedestrian access and strengthen the sense of arrival at this landmark.
East Lincoln Street is envisioned as a flexible corridor that functions as a traditional street most days and transforms into a pedestrian plaza during events. Trees line the space, supported by permeable paving and subsurface wicking systems. The street grade is slightly elevated with low mountable curbs, creating a more comfortable walking environment. Gateways at the Grand Avenue intersection mark the entrance to the district, while steel railroad rails embedded in the roadway pay homage to the site’s past. Throughout the project area, sidewalk extensions and improved crossings make pedestrian travel safer and more intuitive.
The redesign of Railroad Avenue creates a two-lane street with parallel parking and generous sidewalks on both sides. The wider east side accommodates both a walkway and a multi-use path for bicycles and pedestrians, which is planned to extend south and connect with the Galleta River Trail. A small sidewalk plaza and a mid-block crossing at the historic Castaneda Hotel improve pedestrian access and strengthen the sense of arrival at this landmark.
East Lincoln Street is envisioned as a flexible corridor that functions as a traditional street most days and transforms into a pedestrian plaza during events. Trees line the space, supported by permeable paving and subsurface wicking systems. The street grade is slightly elevated with low mountable curbs, creating a more comfortable walking environment. Gateways at the Grand Avenue intersection mark the entrance to the district, while steel railroad rails embedded in the roadway pay homage to the site’s past. Throughout the project area, sidewalk extensions and improved crossings make pedestrian travel safer and more intuitive.
Los Lunas Transportation Center Master Plan
SITES prepared the Master Plan and Phase One Design for the Los Lunas Transportation Center, a district centered on the community’s Rail Runner station. The effort included land use planning, New Urbanist–style charrettes, urban design, placemaking, and construction documents. Although earlier plans for the area dated back to 2006, SITES was hired in 2013 to create a cohesive master plan with a stronger emphasis on land use and the long-term vision for a walkable Village Center.
Following the planning phase, the team advanced the urban design for the district. Key elements included a Rio Metro bus hub for Valencia County, three event and concert spaces, a central plaza, shared parking, and opportunities for mixed-use development with retail and residential uses. SITES then designed the new plaza, drop-off area, Rio Metro Hub, and connections to parking, the Rail Runner platform, and surrounding site features.
As planning progressed, the district was designated a metropolitan redevelopment area and the Village acquired additional land, prompting an update to the Master Plan in 2018. Phase One construction was completed in 2017. SITES supported the Village’s goal of creating a vibrant and walkable center with attainable housing, economic development opportunities, and increased transit use. The plan identifies strategies for multifamily housing, ground-floor retail, commercial office space, outdoor civic spaces, and multimodal circulation improvements to make the district a lively place to walk, bike, work, and live.
Following the planning phase, the team advanced the urban design for the district. Key elements included a Rio Metro bus hub for Valencia County, three event and concert spaces, a central plaza, shared parking, and opportunities for mixed-use development with retail and residential uses. SITES then designed the new plaza, drop-off area, Rio Metro Hub, and connections to parking, the Rail Runner platform, and surrounding site features.
As planning progressed, the district was designated a metropolitan redevelopment area and the Village acquired additional land, prompting an update to the Master Plan in 2018. Phase One construction was completed in 2017. SITES supported the Village’s goal of creating a vibrant and walkable center with attainable housing, economic development opportunities, and increased transit use. The plan identifies strategies for multifamily housing, ground-floor retail, commercial office space, outdoor civic spaces, and multimodal circulation improvements to make the district a lively place to walk, bike, work, and live.
Los Ranchos 4th Street Revitalization
SITES partnered with the Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque to transform a neglected remnant of the original Route 66 into a landmark roadway and civic corridor for this semi-rural community in the Middle Rio Grande Valley. The Fourth Street Revitalization Project celebrates the village’s agricultural heritage and open-space character while creating a vibrant Main Street that serves as an economic and cultural hub for residents and visitors alike.
The design reflects the community’s history and identity through locally inspired materials, agricultural plantings, and subtle design motifs. A complete-street approach guided the reimagining of the corridor, which now features a widened brick and pigmented concrete sidewalk, layered landscaping, and a pedestrian promenade with plazas, shaded seating areas, and new lighting. Custom street furniture and thoughtfully integrated public spaces reinforce Fourth Street as a welcoming, walkable destination.
Major improvements included a lane reduction to create a calmer, more people-oriented street, new custom bus stops, gateway signage to announce arrival into the village, beacon-controlled pedestrian crossings, and a new public parking lot to support local businesses and events. Together, these elements redefine Fourth Street as a signature community space that honors Los Ranchos’ rural roots while supporting its future as a thriving local center.
The design reflects the community’s history and identity through locally inspired materials, agricultural plantings, and subtle design motifs. A complete-street approach guided the reimagining of the corridor, which now features a widened brick and pigmented concrete sidewalk, layered landscaping, and a pedestrian promenade with plazas, shaded seating areas, and new lighting. Custom street furniture and thoughtfully integrated public spaces reinforce Fourth Street as a welcoming, walkable destination.
Major improvements included a lane reduction to create a calmer, more people-oriented street, new custom bus stops, gateway signage to announce arrival into the village, beacon-controlled pedestrian crossings, and a new public parking lot to support local businesses and events. Together, these elements redefine Fourth Street as a signature community space that honors Los Ranchos’ rural roots while supporting its future as a thriving local center.
Nob Hill & Highland Sector Development Plan
SITES was selected to update a 20-year-old Sector Development Plan and expand the planning area for the Nob Hill and Highland neighborhoods in Albuquerque. The area includes established residential blocks and a commercial corridor along Central Avenue that ranges from some of the city’s most active businesses to sections in need of reinvestment.
The planning process was highly participatory. SITES facilitated twelve public meetings, workshops, and open houses to gather input from residents, business owners, and community organizations. The team also worked closely with property owners to refine zoning and design regulations and guided the plan through adoption by City Council.
The updated plan addresses long standing neighborhood concerns by protecting residential areas, supporting reinvestment along Central Avenue, creating appropriate transitions between commercial activity and single-family homes, accommodating mixed uses, and improving conditions for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders. Many of the standards developed for this corridor were later incorporated into the City of Albuquerque’s Integrated Development Ordinance.
The planning process was highly participatory. SITES facilitated twelve public meetings, workshops, and open houses to gather input from residents, business owners, and community organizations. The team also worked closely with property owners to refine zoning and design regulations and guided the plan through adoption by City Council.
The updated plan addresses long standing neighborhood concerns by protecting residential areas, supporting reinvestment along Central Avenue, creating appropriate transitions between commercial activity and single-family homes, accommodating mixed uses, and improving conditions for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders. Many of the standards developed for this corridor were later incorporated into the City of Albuquerque’s Integrated Development Ordinance.
Paso del Norte Trail Master Plan
SITES led the comprehensive master planning effort for the Paso del Norte Trail in El Paso, a regional initiative rooted in the Paso del Norte Health Foundation’s mission to promote health, active living, and community well-being. The vision for the trail is ambitious. Once complete, the 60-plus-mile route will link the New Mexico–Texas border to the southeastern corner of El Paso County and connect to major destinations such as UTEP, Franklin Mountains Open Space, Mission Valley communities, and a proposed loop through Juarez. It also serves as the Texas continuation of New Mexico’s planned Rio Grande Trail.
The master plan highlights the history, culture, and landscape of the region. Themes draw from El Camino Real, the agricultural heritage of the Rio Grande, and the area’s mission sites, expressed through design elements and interpretive opportunities. The system incorporates a range of trail types that include paved multi-use paths, unpaved ditch and levee roads, and urban segments with enhanced sidewalks and bikeways.
As implementation progresses, SITES continues to support several engineering firms with the design of key trail segments, including the Playa Drain Trail and the Border Highway Trail. These projects introduce comfortable pedestrian routes with benches, trash receptacles, pet waste stations, and new desert-adapted landscaping to provide shade and ecological value. By activating underused corridors and improving access across neighborhoods, the Paso del Norte Trail advances regional connectivity and encourages healthier, more active communities.
The master plan highlights the history, culture, and landscape of the region. Themes draw from El Camino Real, the agricultural heritage of the Rio Grande, and the area’s mission sites, expressed through design elements and interpretive opportunities. The system incorporates a range of trail types that include paved multi-use paths, unpaved ditch and levee roads, and urban segments with enhanced sidewalks and bikeways.
As implementation progresses, SITES continues to support several engineering firms with the design of key trail segments, including the Playa Drain Trail and the Border Highway Trail. These projects introduce comfortable pedestrian routes with benches, trash receptacles, pet waste stations, and new desert-adapted landscaping to provide shade and ecological value. By activating underused corridors and improving access across neighborhoods, the Paso del Norte Trail advances regional connectivity and encourages healthier, more active communities.
Tiguex Park and Albuquerque Museum District Master Plan
Tiguex Park has been a cornerstone of Albuquerque’s public life since the 1970s, connecting the city’s historic Old Town Plaza and shopping district to its three major museums. More than a neighborhood park, it serves as a civic gathering space, a recreational hub, and a cultural gateway for residents and visitors alike.
Working with the City of Albuquerque, SITES developed a master plan to reinvigorate this beloved urban park while strengthening its role within the broader Museum District. The plan addressed updated program needs, improved drainage and water conservation, enhanced safety and visibility, and ensured accessibility for all users. A detailed analysis of surrounding land uses and urban connections informed the park’s redesign, creating stronger visual and physical links between Tiguex Park, the museums, and the adjacent neighborhoods.
To reinforce a sense of place, SITES introduced a cohesive system of aesthetic elements, including new pathways, gathering spaces, and signature gateway monuments built with local materials and inspired by historic building forms. Combined with sustainable landscape design and native plantings, these improvements reestablished Tiguex Park as both a neighborhood anchor and a destination within the city’s cultural core.
Working with the City of Albuquerque, SITES developed a master plan to reinvigorate this beloved urban park while strengthening its role within the broader Museum District. The plan addressed updated program needs, improved drainage and water conservation, enhanced safety and visibility, and ensured accessibility for all users. A detailed analysis of surrounding land uses and urban connections informed the park’s redesign, creating stronger visual and physical links between Tiguex Park, the museums, and the adjacent neighborhoods.
To reinforce a sense of place, SITES introduced a cohesive system of aesthetic elements, including new pathways, gathering spaces, and signature gateway monuments built with local materials and inspired by historic building forms. Combined with sustainable landscape design and native plantings, these improvements reestablished Tiguex Park as both a neighborhood anchor and a destination within the city’s cultural core.
University Area Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Plan
SITES worked with the City of Albuquerque to establish and plan the South University of New Mexico (UNM) Metropolitan Redevelopment Area, a neighborhood with strong assets but ongoing challenges related to business retention and long-term residency. The area faced high commercial vacancy rates, deteriorating structures, and public safety concerns, contributing to visible blight and economic decline.
In close collaboration with City staff, SITES led the designation process for the redevelopment area, identifying opportunities for reinvestment that respected the surrounding historic and residential neighborhoods. Following designation, the team developed a Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Plan that outlined key catalytic strategies and recommended public and private investments to strengthen the area’s economic health.
Through an inclusive engagement process, SITES worked with businesses, residents, property owners, developers, and representatives from major institutions to shape the plan. A central outcome was the creation of a stakeholder group dedicated to advocating for business improvement and ongoing community investment, ensuring the plan’s momentum continues beyond adoption.
In close collaboration with City staff, SITES led the designation process for the redevelopment area, identifying opportunities for reinvestment that respected the surrounding historic and residential neighborhoods. Following designation, the team developed a Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Plan that outlined key catalytic strategies and recommended public and private investments to strengthen the area’s economic health.
Through an inclusive engagement process, SITES worked with businesses, residents, property owners, developers, and representatives from major institutions to shape the plan. A central outcome was the creation of a stakeholder group dedicated to advocating for business improvement and ongoing community investment, ensuring the plan’s momentum continues beyond adoption.
University Boulevard Extension
This project began with developing aesthetic concepts for two roadway bridges in Mesa del Sol, followed by full landscape design from initial concepts through construction documentation. The visual themes were drawn from the surrounding environment, incorporating the sun and wind patterns of the nearby Tijeras Arroyo and referencing local wildlife through the prominent snake motifs featured on the bridges.
The landscape design uses xeric plantings suited to the high-desert conditions. Grasses are placed near the snake elements, while native shrubs and trees line the cobble swales that run throughout the corridor. Water harvesting strategies supplement the non-potable irrigation system, with curb cuts directing stormwater into median swales to take advantage of natural elevation changes.
Given the site’s location and dramatic topography, the project also required significant reclamation and erosion control. The result is a roadway and bridge aesthetic that is rooted in place, environmentally responsive, and aligned with the character of Mesa del Sol.
The landscape design uses xeric plantings suited to the high-desert conditions. Grasses are placed near the snake elements, while native shrubs and trees line the cobble swales that run throughout the corridor. Water harvesting strategies supplement the non-potable irrigation system, with curb cuts directing stormwater into median swales to take advantage of natural elevation changes.
Given the site’s location and dramatic topography, the project also required significant reclamation and erosion control. The result is a roadway and bridge aesthetic that is rooted in place, environmentally responsive, and aligned with the character of Mesa del Sol.
University of New Mexico Valencia Campus
Studies consistently show that attractive, functional outdoor spaces play an important role in student recruitment and campus life. With this in mind, UNM set out to modernize its Valencia Campus and create a more engaging environment for students, faculty, and visitors. SITES collaborated with Vigil & Associates under an on-call contract to design a series of improvements to both indoor and outdoor campus spaces.
The work focused on enhancing the common areas between buildings and strengthening pedestrian connections throughout the campus core. A key element of the project was creating a direct and welcoming connection to a new high use parking area at the southwest corner of campus serving the Health Sciences and Adult Education buildings. The team also designed a shaded, multi-level study plaza and a new access point on the west side of the Student Center.
Additional improvements included a landscape renovation of the main parking lot to create a more appealing campus entry. To protect the mature shade trees in this area, UNM agreed to remove several parking spaces, allowing for expanded planting beds that preserve tree root zones and reduce future damage to curbs and paving.
The work focused on enhancing the common areas between buildings and strengthening pedestrian connections throughout the campus core. A key element of the project was creating a direct and welcoming connection to a new high use parking area at the southwest corner of campus serving the Health Sciences and Adult Education buildings. The team also designed a shaded, multi-level study plaza and a new access point on the west side of the Student Center.
Additional improvements included a landscape renovation of the main parking lot to create a more appealing campus entry. To protect the mature shade trees in this area, UNM agreed to remove several parking spaces, allowing for expanded planting beds that preserve tree root zones and reduce future damage to curbs and paving.
University of Texas El Paso Projects
SITES has partnered with the University of Texas at El Paso on several projects that enhance outdoor spaces across campus, support student life, and reflect UTEP’s distinctive setting.
For the Engineering Building addition, SITES designed a sunken outdoor plaza that features decorative, functional steps and dual-purpose planters that double as amphitheater seating for small events. Custom gabion benches, artistically designed trash receptacles, turf grass, flowering trees, and low water plantings create a lively, shaded environment and strengthen pedestrian connections between buildings.
Phase II improvements at the UTEP Swimming and Fitness Facility focused on outdoor recreation areas. The work included relocating a sand volleyball court, updating the ropes challenge course, and creating a new multi-purpose synthetic turf field on a steeply sloped site that required extensive contouring. SITES collaborated closely with UTEP staff, user groups, and design partners to ensure the final layout met a wide range of needs.
Additional upgrades included aesthetic improvements to the Student Union Building landscape and student plaza, where native and xeric plantings provide year-round color while preserving the campus’s mature shade trees.
For UTEP’s centennial celebration, SITES designed five unique outdoor areas across campus. Each concept was supported by 3D models, sketches, and presentation boards that illustrated how the new spaces would support academic and social life.
SITES also enhanced the outdoor areas around the former Psychology Building, preserving major shade trees and adding native plantings, patios, and deck areas that offer flexible spaces for study, gathering, and campus events.
For the Engineering Building addition, SITES designed a sunken outdoor plaza that features decorative, functional steps and dual-purpose planters that double as amphitheater seating for small events. Custom gabion benches, artistically designed trash receptacles, turf grass, flowering trees, and low water plantings create a lively, shaded environment and strengthen pedestrian connections between buildings.
Phase II improvements at the UTEP Swimming and Fitness Facility focused on outdoor recreation areas. The work included relocating a sand volleyball court, updating the ropes challenge course, and creating a new multi-purpose synthetic turf field on a steeply sloped site that required extensive contouring. SITES collaborated closely with UTEP staff, user groups, and design partners to ensure the final layout met a wide range of needs.
Additional upgrades included aesthetic improvements to the Student Union Building landscape and student plaza, where native and xeric plantings provide year-round color while preserving the campus’s mature shade trees.
For UTEP’s centennial celebration, SITES designed five unique outdoor areas across campus. Each concept was supported by 3D models, sketches, and presentation boards that illustrated how the new spaces would support academic and social life.
SITES also enhanced the outdoor areas around the former Psychology Building, preserving major shade trees and adding native plantings, patios, and deck areas that offer flexible spaces for study, gathering, and campus events.
Winrock Town Center
The former Winrock Mall in Albuquerque has been transformed into a vibrant mixed-use town center, anchored by a new central park created in partnership with the City of Albuquerque. SITES served as the landscape architect for the park, working with PACE Advanced Water Engineering and Modulus to design a dynamic public space that supports recreation, gathering, and year-round activity.
The park features an event amphitheater and lawn, a large playground with both nature based and traditional play areas, a lake framed by bridges and restaurant patios, and a network of plazas and soft and hard surface trails. Additional elements include an educational kiosk, an orchard and entry plaza near the Dillard’s entrance, and a curving pathway system that guides visitors to spaces along the water’s edge as well as quieter, more contemplative areas set back from the lake.
Native planting was selected to support water conservation and climate resilience. A small high tech water treatment system supplies reclaimed water to the lake, which is then reused for park irrigation. Interpretive signage throughout the site shares the story of the park’s design and reinforces the community’s long term sustainability goals.
The park features an event amphitheater and lawn, a large playground with both nature based and traditional play areas, a lake framed by bridges and restaurant patios, and a network of plazas and soft and hard surface trails. Additional elements include an educational kiosk, an orchard and entry plaza near the Dillard’s entrance, and a curving pathway system that guides visitors to spaces along the water’s edge as well as quieter, more contemplative areas set back from the lake.
Native planting was selected to support water conservation and climate resilience. A small high tech water treatment system supplies reclaimed water to the lake, which is then reused for park irrigation. Interpretive signage throughout the site shares the story of the park’s design and reinforces the community’s long term sustainability goals.
All great communities start with a vision. Our team uses a multidisciplinary, community-driven approach to create unique, beautiful, and economically viable places where people can thrive. Our thoughtful design and meaningful community engagement balance important physical, cultural, economic, and environmental aspects of a site or a community. This holistic approach contributes to more cohesive, grounded recommendations that reflect each community’s distinct context. Our plans are informed by policy and designed to align with local regulations—supporting sustainable growth, economic opportunity, and the long-term wellbeing of the community.
Atrisco Acequia Madre Master Plan
SITES served as the planning lead for the conceptual design of an enhanced open space and community destination at the headwaters of the Atrisco Acequia Madre in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The project brought together a broad team of funding partners, community organizations, and members of the public to shape a shared vision for this culturally significant landscape.
Project priorities included improving connections to nearby bosque trails and community amenities, creating opportunities for public education about the history and importance of acequias in regional development and culture, and fostering stewardship for this shared environment.
Since the plan’s adoption, SITES has continued to lead design and construction for Phase 1. Current work includes trailhead improvements, accessible trail connections, and planning for interpretive signage and public art that celebrate the environmental, social, and cultural value of acequias.
Project priorities included improving connections to nearby bosque trails and community amenities, creating opportunities for public education about the history and importance of acequias in regional development and culture, and fostering stewardship for this shared environment.
Since the plan’s adoption, SITES has continued to lead design and construction for Phase 1. Current work includes trailhead improvements, accessible trail connections, and planning for interpretive signage and public art that celebrate the environmental, social, and cultural value of acequias.
Bosque Revitalization
SITES, in collaboration with project engineers, led the design study for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that transformed the face of the Rio Grande in central New Mexico. This study served as the first phase of a comprehensive program to restore and revitalize the river corridor, setting the foundation for tens of millions of dollars in restoration work guided by its blueprint.
The plan aimed to restore the Bosque, the forested ecosystem along the river, to an ecologically sustainable and natural environment that provides exceptional visual, recreational, and interpretive opportunities for communities throughout the state and region.
The project involved extensive analysis, conceptual design, and public engagement to ensure both scientific integrity and community support. The Rio Grande Bosque Restoration Study was recognized nationally with the American Society of Landscape Architects National Honor Award for Planning and Analysis, celebrating its vision and enduring impact.
The plan aimed to restore the Bosque, the forested ecosystem along the river, to an ecologically sustainable and natural environment that provides exceptional visual, recreational, and interpretive opportunities for communities throughout the state and region.
The project involved extensive analysis, conceptual design, and public engagement to ensure both scientific integrity and community support. The Rio Grande Bosque Restoration Study was recognized nationally with the American Society of Landscape Architects National Honor Award for Planning and Analysis, celebrating its vision and enduring impact.
Carlsbad Arts and Cultural District Economic Development Plan
SITES worked with the City of Carlsbad to plan and design the Pearl of the Pecos Arts and Cultural District, which encompasses the city’s downtown core. The plan used an asset-based approach that built upon strong local institutions, successful small businesses, and a network of active arts organizations to strengthen Carlsbad’s creative economy.
Arts and cultural districts recognize that a vibrant creative economy includes a broad range of artistic and cultural pursuits. Through an extensive public engagement process that included individual interviews, public workshops, and collaboration with a steering committee, SITES helped establish a shared vision and economic transformation strategy for the district.
The vision defined the Pearl of the Pecos as a diverse and thriving center for arts and culture, supported by a strategy to promote and expand creative opportunities across the community. Three central themes guided the plan: creative placemaking, facility programming and activation, and optimization of community assets.
The plan outlined specific actions to help achieve this transformation and served as the final step in securing the district’s official certification as a New Mexico Arts and Cultural District.
Arts and cultural districts recognize that a vibrant creative economy includes a broad range of artistic and cultural pursuits. Through an extensive public engagement process that included individual interviews, public workshops, and collaboration with a steering committee, SITES helped establish a shared vision and economic transformation strategy for the district.
The vision defined the Pearl of the Pecos as a diverse and thriving center for arts and culture, supported by a strategy to promote and expand creative opportunities across the community. Three central themes guided the plan: creative placemaking, facility programming and activation, and optimization of community assets.
The plan outlined specific actions to help achieve this transformation and served as the final step in securing the district’s official certification as a New Mexico Arts and Cultural District.
Carrizozo Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Plan
SITES partnered with the Town of Carrizozo to develop a Downtown Master Plan and Redevelopment Strategy focused on strengthening the local economy, attracting visitors, and supporting rehabilitation along NM 54 and 12th Street. The plan built upon the earlier Historic Carrizozo Revitalization Plan completed through New Mexico MainStreet’s Frontier Communities Initiative in 2015, expanding on those ideas with new strategies for long-term growth.
The process emphasized community collaboration and the town’s growing identity as an arts-focused destination. SITES engaged residents through interactive workshops, small group discussions, and an online project website that shared meeting information and draft materials. This approach ensured participation from residents both in person and remotely.
Community engagement guided every stage of the plan. Initial workshops gathered input on local priorities, and follow-up sessions helped refine goals and identify the most promising projects. SITES ultimately developed fifteen project ideas for downtown revitalization, including streetscape improvements, a district wayfinding system, an outdoor performance space, free downtown Wi-Fi, façade upgrades, a community trail system, affordable housing opportunities, and marketing and economic development strategies.
Together, these ideas form a clear and actionable path for Carrizozo’s continued growth as a creative and welcoming community.
The process emphasized community collaboration and the town’s growing identity as an arts-focused destination. SITES engaged residents through interactive workshops, small group discussions, and an online project website that shared meeting information and draft materials. This approach ensured participation from residents both in person and remotely.
Community engagement guided every stage of the plan. Initial workshops gathered input on local priorities, and follow-up sessions helped refine goals and identify the most promising projects. SITES ultimately developed fifteen project ideas for downtown revitalization, including streetscape improvements, a district wayfinding system, an outdoor performance space, free downtown Wi-Fi, façade upgrades, a community trail system, affordable housing opportunities, and marketing and economic development strategies.
Together, these ideas form a clear and actionable path for Carrizozo’s continued growth as a creative and welcoming community.
Central Albuquerque Community Planning Area Assessment
The Central Community Planning Area project engaged thousands of residents to shape a shared vision for growth, economic vitality, and community character in the city’s historic core. Partnering closely with the City of Albuquerque, SITES helped create a focused, equitable planning process that reflected the values and needs of its diverse neighborhoods.
SITES collaborated with City staff to establish a joint scope of work, develop communication materials, and design a robust community engagement plan. The team facilitated in-person and virtual meetings, hosted neighborhood presentations, and met residents where they gather most—at local events, gathering places, and in communities that are often underrepresented in planning efforts.
To deepen the analysis, SITES also interviewed business owners, developers, economic development organizations, and social service providers, capturing a wide range of perspectives to inform the area’s future. The resulting insights helped the City identify priorities for growth, investment, and quality of life across Central Albuquerque.
SITES collaborated with City staff to establish a joint scope of work, develop communication materials, and design a robust community engagement plan. The team facilitated in-person and virtual meetings, hosted neighborhood presentations, and met residents where they gather most—at local events, gathering places, and in communities that are often underrepresented in planning efforts.
To deepen the analysis, SITES also interviewed business owners, developers, economic development organizations, and social service providers, capturing a wide range of perspectives to inform the area’s future. The resulting insights helped the City identify priorities for growth, investment, and quality of life across Central Albuquerque.
Central Avenue Streetscape Urban Design Plan
SITES led the design for the revitalization of a historic stretch of Route 66 along Central Avenue in Albuquerque. The project focused on the section extending from 8th Street in downtown to Coors Road, with additional study of the corridor continuing west to the top of Nine Mile Hill.
Working closely with the City of Albuquerque, SITES aligned the design with the community’s goal to reestablish Central Avenue as a vibrant center of neighborhood life, commerce, and cultural history. The plan emphasized the aesthetic and functional rebuilding of the corridor through a blend of urban design and landscape architecture.
Key improvements included wider pedestrian zones, enhanced transit areas, new lighting, street furniture, landscaping, and roadway upgrades. SITES also studied street edge conditions and developed guidelines for future development along the corridor, reinforcing Central Avenue’s identity as one of Albuquerque’s most significant historic and civic spaces.
Working closely with the City of Albuquerque, SITES aligned the design with the community’s goal to reestablish Central Avenue as a vibrant center of neighborhood life, commerce, and cultural history. The plan emphasized the aesthetic and functional rebuilding of the corridor through a blend of urban design and landscape architecture.
Key improvements included wider pedestrian zones, enhanced transit areas, new lighting, street furniture, landscaping, and roadway upgrades. SITES also studied street edge conditions and developed guidelines for future development along the corridor, reinforcing Central Avenue’s identity as one of Albuquerque’s most significant historic and civic spaces.
East Lohman Development Plan
SITES led a multidisciplinary planning and urban design team to prepare a master plan for the 150-acre East Lohman Site, a key growth area on the east side of Las Cruces. Guided by a detailed market study, the plan envisions a pedestrian-oriented, environmentally sensitive mixed-use community with neighborhood centers that complement surrounding land uses. It also includes strategies and actionable steps for the City to support high-quality development aligned with the plan’s vision.
The planning process was highly collaborative, involving city staff, elected officials, business and institutional representatives, property owners, and community members. Public engagement played a central role throughout. The City first identified key stakeholders who participated in focus groups, followed by design workshops, public meetings, and public hearings attended by residents and project partners. Their feedback shaped three alternative development scenarios, each with its own programmatic emphasis and urban structure.
Each scenario explored creative pedestrian-oriented and urban design concepts. The final master plan blends the strongest and most widely supported ideas from these alternatives, resulting in a cohesive vision that earned enthusiastic approval from both elected officials and residents.
The planning process was highly collaborative, involving city staff, elected officials, business and institutional representatives, property owners, and community members. Public engagement played a central role throughout. The City first identified key stakeholders who participated in focus groups, followed by design workshops, public meetings, and public hearings attended by residents and project partners. Their feedback shaped three alternative development scenarios, each with its own programmatic emphasis and urban structure.
Each scenario explored creative pedestrian-oriented and urban design concepts. The final master plan blends the strongest and most widely supported ideas from these alternatives, resulting in a cohesive vision that earned enthusiastic approval from both elected officials and residents.
Farmington Animas Action Plan
SITES led a multidisciplinary team to prepare an Action Plan for the revitalization of the Animas District in Farmington. Once a hub for local agriculture and later a center for energy-sector industrial uses, the area had become increasingly blighted and overlooked. With nearby assets such as the renovated Main Street, the Animas River, and the San Juan Regional Medical Center, the district presented a significant opportunity to reimagine a vibrant neighborhood with modest-scale housing and improved connections to the community.
Through extensive planning and public engagement, the team developed a master plan that reconnects the district to both its natural environment and the town center. Key strategies include integrating regional trails, parks, and educational opportunities along the Animas River; incorporating orchards and open space to honor the area’s agricultural legacy; promoting “missing middle” housing types to expand local housing options; and enhancing streets and infrastructure to better link destinations and support walkability throughout the district.
Through extensive planning and public engagement, the team developed a master plan that reconnects the district to both its natural environment and the town center. Key strategies include integrating regional trails, parks, and educational opportunities along the Animas River; incorporating orchards and open space to honor the area’s agricultural legacy; promoting “missing middle” housing types to expand local housing options; and enhancing streets and infrastructure to better link destinations and support walkability throughout the district.
Farmington Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) Plan
SITES worked with the City of Farmington to develop a Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) Master Plan that guides near-term investments in facilities, programs, and policies to advance the department’s strategic goals. The plan was informed in part by collaboration with the City’s DEI Advisory Council, ensuring a broad range of community perspectives and lived experiences were considered throughout the process.
The plan was shaped by a robust community engagement process that included meetings with staff leadership, open conversations with each division’s frontline staff, public workshops, interactive activities at community events, a project website, and a citywide survey. These efforts grounded the plan in local priorities and insights from people who use, manage, and rely on the City’s parks, recreational facilities, and cultural spaces.
The resulting master plan provides a comprehensive, community-driven roadmap for enhancing Farmington’s parks and recreation system — supporting vibrant public spaces, meaningful programming, and a clear vision for the future of PRCA services.
The plan was shaped by a robust community engagement process that included meetings with staff leadership, open conversations with each division’s frontline staff, public workshops, interactive activities at community events, a project website, and a citywide survey. These efforts grounded the plan in local priorities and insights from people who use, manage, and rely on the City’s parks, recreational facilities, and cultural spaces.
The resulting master plan provides a comprehensive, community-driven roadmap for enhancing Farmington’s parks and recreation system — supporting vibrant public spaces, meaningful programming, and a clear vision for the future of PRCA services.
Gallup - Coal Avenue Commons
The Coal Avenue Commons project, funded through the National Endowment for the Arts’ Our Town initiative and matched by local partners, brings together arts, culture, and community to support the revitalization of downtown Gallup. The project is the result of years of collaboration among the City of Gallup, McKinley County, gallupARTS, Gallup MainStreet Arts & Cultural District, the Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments, the McCune Foundation, and the state’s only Business Improvement District.
Guided by a robust and highly creative public engagement process, the team worked to develop a flexible, business-friendly event street that reflects Gallup’s cultural identity and supports everyday community life. The outcome is an innovative yet achievable design, complete with construction-ready documents, that positions Coal Avenue as a welcoming and art-focused gathering place for residents and visitors.
Coal Avenue Commons stands as a strong example of creative placemaking — a project that uses art and culture to spark lasting social and economic change in the heart of the community.
Guided by a robust and highly creative public engagement process, the team worked to develop a flexible, business-friendly event street that reflects Gallup’s cultural identity and supports everyday community life. The outcome is an innovative yet achievable design, complete with construction-ready documents, that positions Coal Avenue as a welcoming and art-focused gathering place for residents and visitors.
Coal Avenue Commons stands as a strong example of creative placemaking — a project that uses art and culture to spark lasting social and economic change in the heart of the community.
Las Cruces Downtown Master Plan
The City of Las Cruces hired SITES to develop a vision and planning strategy for revitalizing its downtown. A central focus of this effort was the reopening of Main Street to restore it as a major north–south arterial that would bring energy, activity, and thousands of daily travelers back into the heart of the city. The broader redevelopment strategy called for a new civic plaza and government buildings, stronger support for specialty retail and service providers, and a renewed emphasis on downtown as a center for arts and culture.
SITES served as the lead consultant for the plan’s catalyst project, the Main Street Plaza. The plaza is designed as a flexible, curbless street with shade structures, lit bollards, and special paving. It can be closed to vehicles for festivals, performances, markets, and other community events. During the design process, computer generated visual simulations helped residents and decision makers picture how a more active and welcoming downtown could look and feel.
SITES also designed distinctive landscape improvements for two key civic buildings in the district: Las Cruces City Hall and the Las Cruces Federal Courthouse. Together, these projects support a long-term vision for a lively, connected, and people-focused downtown.
SITES served as the lead consultant for the plan’s catalyst project, the Main Street Plaza. The plaza is designed as a flexible, curbless street with shade structures, lit bollards, and special paving. It can be closed to vehicles for festivals, performances, markets, and other community events. During the design process, computer generated visual simulations helped residents and decision makers picture how a more active and welcoming downtown could look and feel.
SITES also designed distinctive landscape improvements for two key civic buildings in the district: Las Cruces City Hall and the Las Cruces Federal Courthouse. Together, these projects support a long-term vision for a lively, connected, and people-focused downtown.
Los Alamos County Affordable Housing Plan
SITES prepared an affordable housing plan for Los Alamos County that addressed the community’s most pressing challenge: a severe lack of housing supply that makes homes inaccessible for many low and moderate income households. Because Los Alamos has unique market conditions and limited available land, the planning process required specialized data collection and tailored analysis.
SITES evaluated existing conditions, assessed housing needs and costs, and examined local affordability measures to understand the structural constraints shaping the market. This work informed discussions with policymakers about priorities and resulted in a clear set of strategies for the County to consider.
Key recommendations included creating more income restricted housing to support households that are being priced out, encouraging new development where feasible despite land limitations, and pursuing regional approaches that link housing, workforce needs, and broader economic development.
SITES evaluated existing conditions, assessed housing needs and costs, and examined local affordability measures to understand the structural constraints shaping the market. This work informed discussions with policymakers about priorities and resulted in a clear set of strategies for the County to consider.
Key recommendations included creating more income restricted housing to support households that are being priced out, encouraging new development where feasible despite land limitations, and pursuing regional approaches that link housing, workforce needs, and broader economic development.
Los Lunas Transportation Center Master Plan
SITES prepared the Master Plan and Phase One Design for the Los Lunas Transportation Center, a district centered on the community’s Rail Runner station. The effort included land use planning, New Urbanist–style charrettes, urban design, placemaking, and construction documents. Although earlier plans for the area dated back to 2006, SITES was hired in 2013 to create a cohesive master plan with a stronger emphasis on land use and the long-term vision for a walkable Village Center.
Following the planning phase, the team advanced the urban design for the district. Key elements included a Rio Metro bus hub for Valencia County, three event and concert spaces, a central plaza, shared parking, and opportunities for mixed-use development with retail and residential uses. SITES then designed the new plaza, drop-off area, Rio Metro Hub, and connections to parking, the Rail Runner platform, and surrounding site features.
As planning progressed, the district was designated a metropolitan redevelopment area and the Village acquired additional land, prompting an update to the Master Plan in 2018. Phase One construction was completed in 2017. SITES supported the Village’s goal of creating a vibrant and walkable center with attainable housing, economic development opportunities, and increased transit use. The plan identifies strategies for multifamily housing, ground-floor retail, commercial office space, outdoor civic spaces, and multimodal circulation improvements to make the district a lively place to walk, bike, work, and live.
Following the planning phase, the team advanced the urban design for the district. Key elements included a Rio Metro bus hub for Valencia County, three event and concert spaces, a central plaza, shared parking, and opportunities for mixed-use development with retail and residential uses. SITES then designed the new plaza, drop-off area, Rio Metro Hub, and connections to parking, the Rail Runner platform, and surrounding site features.
As planning progressed, the district was designated a metropolitan redevelopment area and the Village acquired additional land, prompting an update to the Master Plan in 2018. Phase One construction was completed in 2017. SITES supported the Village’s goal of creating a vibrant and walkable center with attainable housing, economic development opportunities, and increased transit use. The plan identifies strategies for multifamily housing, ground-floor retail, commercial office space, outdoor civic spaces, and multimodal circulation improvements to make the district a lively place to walk, bike, work, and live.
Mesilla Comprehensive Plan
The Town of Mesilla is a historic village and well-loved tourist destination just outside Las Cruces. Its distinctive architecture, cultural traditions, and agricultural landscapes create a strong sense of place that residents are eager to preserve, even as the surrounding region grows and changes. The comprehensive plan was developed to help the community maintain its rural identity while preparing for future needs.
The plan’s guiding principles focus on honoring Mesilla’s history and culture, protecting its agricultural lands and greenbelt, improving community health, and promoting thoughtful growth in strategic areas. It also emphasizes diversifying the local economy by building on both the town’s heritage and its outdoor recreation opportunities. The plan reflects the ideas and priorities of community members, leadership, staff, and regional partners who contributed throughout the planning process.
The plan’s guiding principles focus on honoring Mesilla’s history and culture, protecting its agricultural lands and greenbelt, improving community health, and promoting thoughtful growth in strategic areas. It also emphasizes diversifying the local economy by building on both the town’s heritage and its outdoor recreation opportunities. The plan reflects the ideas and priorities of community members, leadership, staff, and regional partners who contributed throughout the planning process.
New Mexico Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Update
SITES partnered with New Mexico State Parks, the Economic Development Department’s Outdoor Recreation Division, and the National Park Service to assess outdoor recreation resources, identify statewide trends, and complete an inventory of trails across New Mexico. The Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department, State Parks Division initiated the 2021–2026 update of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), which directs the State’s allocation from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
SITES led the planning process and was responsible for analyzing national and statewide recreation trends, summarizing the economic impact of outdoor recreation in New Mexico, and creating a comprehensive resource inventory with associated maps. The team also examined environmental opportunities and threats, explored the role of outdoor education, and evaluated ongoing issues related to access and equity in recreation opportunities.
The plan was developed through extensive engagement that included leaders from agencies, non-profits, and communities, as well as residents and recreationalists from across the state. The resulting recommendations outline long-term strategies for outdoor recreation planning and identify needs and opportunities for establishing recreation and historic trails in every region of New Mexico.
SITES led the planning process and was responsible for analyzing national and statewide recreation trends, summarizing the economic impact of outdoor recreation in New Mexico, and creating a comprehensive resource inventory with associated maps. The team also examined environmental opportunities and threats, explored the role of outdoor education, and evaluated ongoing issues related to access and equity in recreation opportunities.
The plan was developed through extensive engagement that included leaders from agencies, non-profits, and communities, as well as residents and recreationalists from across the state. The resulting recommendations outline long-term strategies for outdoor recreation planning and identify needs and opportunities for establishing recreation and historic trails in every region of New Mexico.
Nob Hill & Highland Sector Development Plan
SITES was selected to update a 20-year-old Sector Development Plan and expand the planning area for the Nob Hill and Highland neighborhoods in Albuquerque. The area includes established residential blocks and a commercial corridor along Central Avenue that ranges from some of the city’s most active businesses to sections in need of reinvestment.
The planning process was highly participatory. SITES facilitated twelve public meetings, workshops, and open houses to gather input from residents, business owners, and community organizations. The team also worked closely with property owners to refine zoning and design regulations and guided the plan through adoption by City Council.
The updated plan addresses long standing neighborhood concerns by protecting residential areas, supporting reinvestment along Central Avenue, creating appropriate transitions between commercial activity and single-family homes, accommodating mixed uses, and improving conditions for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders. Many of the standards developed for this corridor were later incorporated into the City of Albuquerque’s Integrated Development Ordinance.
The planning process was highly participatory. SITES facilitated twelve public meetings, workshops, and open houses to gather input from residents, business owners, and community organizations. The team also worked closely with property owners to refine zoning and design regulations and guided the plan through adoption by City Council.
The updated plan addresses long standing neighborhood concerns by protecting residential areas, supporting reinvestment along Central Avenue, creating appropriate transitions between commercial activity and single-family homes, accommodating mixed uses, and improving conditions for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders. Many of the standards developed for this corridor were later incorporated into the City of Albuquerque’s Integrated Development Ordinance.
Paso del Norte Trail Master Plan
SITES led the comprehensive master planning effort for the Paso del Norte Trail in El Paso, a regional initiative rooted in the Paso del Norte Health Foundation’s mission to promote health, active living, and community well-being. The vision for the trail is ambitious. Once complete, the 60-plus-mile route will link the New Mexico–Texas border to the southeastern corner of El Paso County and connect to major destinations such as UTEP, Franklin Mountains Open Space, Mission Valley communities, and a proposed loop through Juarez. It also serves as the Texas continuation of New Mexico’s planned Rio Grande Trail.
The master plan highlights the history, culture, and landscape of the region. Themes draw from El Camino Real, the agricultural heritage of the Rio Grande, and the area’s mission sites, expressed through design elements and interpretive opportunities. The system incorporates a range of trail types that include paved multi-use paths, unpaved ditch and levee roads, and urban segments with enhanced sidewalks and bikeways.
As implementation progresses, SITES continues to support several engineering firms with the design of key trail segments, including the Playa Drain Trail and the Border Highway Trail. These projects introduce comfortable pedestrian routes with benches, trash receptacles, pet waste stations, and new desert-adapted landscaping to provide shade and ecological value. By activating underused corridors and improving access across neighborhoods, the Paso del Norte Trail advances regional connectivity and encourages healthier, more active communities.
The master plan highlights the history, culture, and landscape of the region. Themes draw from El Camino Real, the agricultural heritage of the Rio Grande, and the area’s mission sites, expressed through design elements and interpretive opportunities. The system incorporates a range of trail types that include paved multi-use paths, unpaved ditch and levee roads, and urban segments with enhanced sidewalks and bikeways.
As implementation progresses, SITES continues to support several engineering firms with the design of key trail segments, including the Playa Drain Trail and the Border Highway Trail. These projects introduce comfortable pedestrian routes with benches, trash receptacles, pet waste stations, and new desert-adapted landscaping to provide shade and ecological value. By activating underused corridors and improving access across neighborhoods, the Paso del Norte Trail advances regional connectivity and encourages healthier, more active communities.
Questa Comprehensive Plan
The Village of Questa hired SITES in spring 2024 to lead its Comprehensive Plan Update. The planning and engagement process focused on understanding the community’s unique character, its social and organizational dynamics, and the creative resources and funding opportunities that could help achieve local goals.
The team spent time on the ground participating in community events, touring facilities with staff, and meeting with Village leadership and local businesses. Engagement efforts centered on meeting people where they are, from conversations at the Farmers Market to door-to-door visits with business owners. Based on this outreach, SITES developed draft goals and strategies, which were brought back to the community for review and refinement in August 2024.
The updated plan was unanimously adopted by the Village Council, establishing a shared path forward for Questa’s future.
The team spent time on the ground participating in community events, touring facilities with staff, and meeting with Village leadership and local businesses. Engagement efforts centered on meeting people where they are, from conversations at the Farmers Market to door-to-door visits with business owners. Based on this outreach, SITES developed draft goals and strategies, which were brought back to the community for review and refinement in August 2024.
The updated plan was unanimously adopted by the Village Council, establishing a shared path forward for Questa’s future.
Rio Arriba County and City of Española Affordable Housing Plan
SITES collaborated with Rio Arriba County and the City of Española to update their 2015 Affordable Housing Plan. The goal of the update was to better understand current and future housing needs and identify strategies to support new housing development within Española and in rural communities across the County.
A key focus of the plan is expanding the availability of diverse housing types. Both the City and County own properties that could help jumpstart affordable housing projects, particularly those eligible for Low Income Housing Tax Credits. The plan recommends prioritizing these publicly owned sites for donation or below-market sale and actively marketing them to potential developers.
Because attracting developers and navigating New Mexico’s housing programs can be challenging, the plan also recommends building internal capacity by hiring a dedicated staff member or investing in specialized training for existing staff. This would strengthen the City’s and County’s ability to work effectively with developers, nonprofits, and organizations such as Housing New Mexico.
A third priority is to complete near-term updates to land development ordinances in both jurisdictions to align with state regulations for mobile and manufactured homes. This would encourage the gradual replacement of aging units and improve overall housing quality. Over the long term, the City and County will need to fully modernize their outdated land use ordinances to support future growth and development.
A key focus of the plan is expanding the availability of diverse housing types. Both the City and County own properties that could help jumpstart affordable housing projects, particularly those eligible for Low Income Housing Tax Credits. The plan recommends prioritizing these publicly owned sites for donation or below-market sale and actively marketing them to potential developers.
Because attracting developers and navigating New Mexico’s housing programs can be challenging, the plan also recommends building internal capacity by hiring a dedicated staff member or investing in specialized training for existing staff. This would strengthen the City’s and County’s ability to work effectively with developers, nonprofits, and organizations such as Housing New Mexico.
A third priority is to complete near-term updates to land development ordinances in both jurisdictions to align with state regulations for mobile and manufactured homes. This would encourage the gradual replacement of aging units and improve overall housing quality. Over the long term, the City and County will need to fully modernize their outdated land use ordinances to support future growth and development.
Rio Grande Trail Master Plan
SITES partnered with Alta Planning + Design to help the New Mexico State Parks Division advance the long-envisioned Rio Grande Trail. Spanning more than 500 miles from Colorado to Texas, the master plan builds on earlier work—including previous efforts by SITES—that identified potential trail alignments through the southern two thirds of the state.
For this phase, the team developed a numeric ranking system to evaluate and refine those earlier alignment options and explored new alternatives through the northern third of New Mexico. The result is a recommended border-to-border route that links Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.
The master plan also provides guidance on trail types suited to the state’s varied landscapes, user needs and accommodations, implementation strategies, and long-term management approaches to support a continuous, high quality recreational corridor.
For this phase, the team developed a numeric ranking system to evaluate and refine those earlier alignment options and explored new alternatives through the northern third of New Mexico. The result is a recommended border-to-border route that links Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.
The master plan also provides guidance on trail types suited to the state’s varied landscapes, user needs and accommodations, implementation strategies, and long-term management approaches to support a continuous, high quality recreational corridor.
Santa Fe County Affordable Housing Plan
SITES prepared an affordable housing plan for Santa Fe County to better understand local housing needs and identify strategies to expand housing opportunities across the region. The plan includes a community and housing profile, an assessment of existing and future housing needs, an evaluation of land use barriers, and recommendations for programs that support affordable housing development.
Through this process, SITES helped clarify how different types of housing needs affect the Santa Fe area and why each requires tailored and sometimes bold strategies. The team worked closely with County staff, developers, and service providers to define these needs and pinpoint the root issues shaping the local housing market.
Following a detailed review of regulatory barriers and development challenges, SITES produced a comprehensive set of immediate and long-term strategies to encourage the construction and preservation of affordable housing throughout the County.
Through this process, SITES helped clarify how different types of housing needs affect the Santa Fe area and why each requires tailored and sometimes bold strategies. The team worked closely with County staff, developers, and service providers to define these needs and pinpoint the root issues shaping the local housing market.
Following a detailed review of regulatory barriers and development challenges, SITES produced a comprehensive set of immediate and long-term strategies to encourage the construction and preservation of affordable housing throughout the County.
University Area Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Plan
SITES worked with the City of Albuquerque to establish and plan the South University of New Mexico (UNM) Metropolitan Redevelopment Area, a neighborhood with strong assets but ongoing challenges related to business retention and long-term residency. The area faced high commercial vacancy rates, deteriorating structures, and public safety concerns, contributing to visible blight and economic decline.
In close collaboration with City staff, SITES led the designation process for the redevelopment area, identifying opportunities for reinvestment that respected the surrounding historic and residential neighborhoods. Following designation, the team developed a Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Plan that outlined key catalytic strategies and recommended public and private investments to strengthen the area’s economic health.
Through an inclusive engagement process, SITES worked with businesses, residents, property owners, developers, and representatives from major institutions to shape the plan. A central outcome was the creation of a stakeholder group dedicated to advocating for business improvement and ongoing community investment, ensuring the plan’s momentum continues beyond adoption.
In close collaboration with City staff, SITES led the designation process for the redevelopment area, identifying opportunities for reinvestment that respected the surrounding historic and residential neighborhoods. Following designation, the team developed a Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Plan that outlined key catalytic strategies and recommended public and private investments to strengthen the area’s economic health.
Through an inclusive engagement process, SITES worked with businesses, residents, property owners, developers, and representatives from major institutions to shape the plan. A central outcome was the creation of a stakeholder group dedicated to advocating for business improvement and ongoing community investment, ensuring the plan’s momentum continues beyond adoption.
Village of Ruidoso Comprehensive Plan
SITES has a long-standing partnership with the Village of Ruidoso, supporting efforts that include comprehensive planning, the designation and planning of two metropolitan redevelopment areas, workforce housing initiatives, and zoning code updates. The Village’s most recent Comprehensive Plan focused on strengthening the local economy by diversifying job opportunities while continuing to support Ruidoso’s tourism-driven businesses. Residents emphasized the need for living wage employment, workforce housing, and more recreational options for youth and families. Resiliency and emergency preparedness related to wildfire and flooding were also central to the plan.
Community feedback played a major role in shaping the recommendations. SITES facilitated a large public forum and a series of focus groups during a multi day site visit, where meals were provided to encourage participation. Absentee property owners, Village staff, and local leadership all assisted in outreach efforts, resulting in exceptional attendance across all events.
Village staff were engaged throughout the process and helped refine the final recommendations, which made it easier to integrate the plan’s actions into department work programs. Since adoption, the Village has taken steady steps toward implementation, including utility reviews and upgrades, zoning code amendments, and improvements to parks and public facilities.
Community feedback played a major role in shaping the recommendations. SITES facilitated a large public forum and a series of focus groups during a multi day site visit, where meals were provided to encourage participation. Absentee property owners, Village staff, and local leadership all assisted in outreach efforts, resulting in exceptional attendance across all events.
Village staff were engaged throughout the process and helped refine the final recommendations, which made it easier to integrate the plan’s actions into department work programs. Since adoption, the Village has taken steady steps toward implementation, including utility reviews and upgrades, zoning code amendments, and improvements to parks and public facilities.
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.
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.
Animas Trail Extension and Gateway Park Master Planning and Design
SITES has been working with the City of Farmington to expand and enhance the Animas River Trail, a defining feature of the city’s park and recreation system. The first new trail segment extended the riverside path nearly a mile east from the Among the Waters trailhead at the Bisti Highway. This phase replaced a flood-damaged culvert crossing with a new bridge and navigated a steep bluff nearly thirty feet high overlooking the Animas River near its confluence with the San Juan River.
The second trail extension will nearly double the total length of the system, adding three miles of new path from the Riverside Nature Center east past the Farmington Museum. This reach will wind behind local businesses and across another steep embankment above the river, connecting new destinations to the broader community network.
As part of the northern trail extension, SITES also developed a Master Plan for a new regional park overlooking the river just east of the museum. The park is designed as a focal point for the community, highlighting the connection between the museum, the river, and the trail. It follows a mixed-use concept with restaurants, small shops, and a multi-use pavilion for growers markets and special events that attract both local and regional visitors.
The plan also includes a large plaza with a stage and terraced berm amphitheater seating, open lawns for play and community gatherings, and natural play areas. The design replaces the museum’s asphalt parking lot with a tree-shaded, permeable event and parking space. SITES developed multiple site concepts and refined options before finalizing the preferred master plan. Construction of the multi-use pavilion is underway, and Phase 1 of the park is anticipated to begin later in 2025.
The second trail extension will nearly double the total length of the system, adding three miles of new path from the Riverside Nature Center east past the Farmington Museum. This reach will wind behind local businesses and across another steep embankment above the river, connecting new destinations to the broader community network.
As part of the northern trail extension, SITES also developed a Master Plan for a new regional park overlooking the river just east of the museum. The park is designed as a focal point for the community, highlighting the connection between the museum, the river, and the trail. It follows a mixed-use concept with restaurants, small shops, and a multi-use pavilion for growers markets and special events that attract both local and regional visitors.
The plan also includes a large plaza with a stage and terraced berm amphitheater seating, open lawns for play and community gatherings, and natural play areas. The design replaces the museum’s asphalt parking lot with a tree-shaded, permeable event and parking space. SITES developed multiple site concepts and refined options before finalizing the preferred master plan. Construction of the multi-use pavilion is underway, and Phase 1 of the park is anticipated to begin later in 2025.
Atrisco Acequia Madre Master Plan
SITES served as the planning lead for the conceptual design of an enhanced open space and community destination at the headwaters of the Atrisco Acequia Madre in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The project brought together a broad team of funding partners, community organizations, and members of the public to shape a shared vision for this culturally significant landscape.
Project priorities included improving connections to nearby bosque trails and community amenities, creating opportunities for public education about the history and importance of acequias in regional development and culture, and fostering stewardship for this shared environment.
Since the plan’s adoption, SITES has continued to lead design and construction for Phase 1. Current work includes trailhead improvements, accessible trail connections, and planning for interpretive signage and public art that celebrate the environmental, social, and cultural value of acequias.
Project priorities included improving connections to nearby bosque trails and community amenities, creating opportunities for public education about the history and importance of acequias in regional development and culture, and fostering stewardship for this shared environment.
Since the plan’s adoption, SITES has continued to lead design and construction for Phase 1. Current work includes trailhead improvements, accessible trail connections, and planning for interpretive signage and public art that celebrate the environmental, social, and cultural value of acequias.
Bachechi Open Space
Located in Albuquerque’s North Valley, Bachechi Open Space Park is a 27-acre destination where everyday recreation meets deeper connections to nature and the city’s agricultural legacy. Designed by SITES, the park transforms a historic farmstead into a dynamic landscape that celebrates ecology, heritage, and community. As a gateway to the Rio Grande Valley State Park multi-use trail system, it welcomes hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, and nature lovers to explore regional landscapes, observe wildlife, and experience the spirit of the Rio Grande valley.
At its heart is a landscape that adapts the area’s agricultural past into a model of ecological richness and sustainability. A former pecan orchard remains, now entwined with a working arboretum of sycamores, junipers, and cottonwoods. Wetland depressions and xeric meadows replicate the valley’s natural rhythms, harvesting stormwater and roof runoff from the adjacent Environmental Education Building. The collected water is stored in above-ground cisterns that irrigate surrounding plantings, creating a landscape that is both beautiful and functional.
Wildlife watching stations dot the woodland, inviting visitors to pause and observe birds, toads, and riparian species, while trails wind through native plant forests and open meadows. Picnic areas, interpretive signage, and a memorial rose garden honor the site’s cultural roots, tracing back to the Bachechi family’s Italian immigrant heritage and early farming operations.
The layering of landscapes, including the orchard, arboretum, wetland boardwalk, meadow systems, and trail connections, reflects SITES’ holistic approach to design. It is a place where history, ecology, and recreation come together, and where Albuquerque’s open space legacy continues to thrive.
At its heart is a landscape that adapts the area’s agricultural past into a model of ecological richness and sustainability. A former pecan orchard remains, now entwined with a working arboretum of sycamores, junipers, and cottonwoods. Wetland depressions and xeric meadows replicate the valley’s natural rhythms, harvesting stormwater and roof runoff from the adjacent Environmental Education Building. The collected water is stored in above-ground cisterns that irrigate surrounding plantings, creating a landscape that is both beautiful and functional.
Wildlife watching stations dot the woodland, inviting visitors to pause and observe birds, toads, and riparian species, while trails wind through native plant forests and open meadows. Picnic areas, interpretive signage, and a memorial rose garden honor the site’s cultural roots, tracing back to the Bachechi family’s Italian immigrant heritage and early farming operations.
The layering of landscapes, including the orchard, arboretum, wetland boardwalk, meadow systems, and trail connections, reflects SITES’ holistic approach to design. It is a place where history, ecology, and recreation come together, and where Albuquerque’s open space legacy continues to thrive.
Bosque Revitalization
SITES, in collaboration with project engineers, led the design study for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that transformed the face of the Rio Grande in central New Mexico. This study served as the first phase of a comprehensive program to restore and revitalize the river corridor, setting the foundation for tens of millions of dollars in restoration work guided by its blueprint.
The plan aimed to restore the Bosque, the forested ecosystem along the river, to an ecologically sustainable and natural environment that provides exceptional visual, recreational, and interpretive opportunities for communities throughout the state and region.
The project involved extensive analysis, conceptual design, and public engagement to ensure both scientific integrity and community support. The Rio Grande Bosque Restoration Study was recognized nationally with the American Society of Landscape Architects National Honor Award for Planning and Analysis, celebrating its vision and enduring impact.
The plan aimed to restore the Bosque, the forested ecosystem along the river, to an ecologically sustainable and natural environment that provides exceptional visual, recreational, and interpretive opportunities for communities throughout the state and region.
The project involved extensive analysis, conceptual design, and public engagement to ensure both scientific integrity and community support. The Rio Grande Bosque Restoration Study was recognized nationally with the American Society of Landscape Architects National Honor Award for Planning and Analysis, celebrating its vision and enduring impact.
Carlsbad Arts and Cultural District Economic Development Plan
SITES worked with the City of Carlsbad to plan and design the Pearl of the Pecos Arts and Cultural District, which encompasses the city’s downtown core. The plan used an asset-based approach that built upon strong local institutions, successful small businesses, and a network of active arts organizations to strengthen Carlsbad’s creative economy.
Arts and cultural districts recognize that a vibrant creative economy includes a broad range of artistic and cultural pursuits. Through an extensive public engagement process that included individual interviews, public workshops, and collaboration with a steering committee, SITES helped establish a shared vision and economic transformation strategy for the district.
The vision defined the Pearl of the Pecos as a diverse and thriving center for arts and culture, supported by a strategy to promote and expand creative opportunities across the community. Three central themes guided the plan: creative placemaking, facility programming and activation, and optimization of community assets.
The plan outlined specific actions to help achieve this transformation and served as the final step in securing the district’s official certification as a New Mexico Arts and Cultural District.
Arts and cultural districts recognize that a vibrant creative economy includes a broad range of artistic and cultural pursuits. Through an extensive public engagement process that included individual interviews, public workshops, and collaboration with a steering committee, SITES helped establish a shared vision and economic transformation strategy for the district.
The vision defined the Pearl of the Pecos as a diverse and thriving center for arts and culture, supported by a strategy to promote and expand creative opportunities across the community. Three central themes guided the plan: creative placemaking, facility programming and activation, and optimization of community assets.
The plan outlined specific actions to help achieve this transformation and served as the final step in securing the district’s official certification as a New Mexico Arts and Cultural District.
Carrizozo Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Plan
SITES partnered with the Town of Carrizozo to develop a Downtown Master Plan and Redevelopment Strategy focused on strengthening the local economy, attracting visitors, and supporting rehabilitation along NM 54 and 12th Street. The plan built upon the earlier Historic Carrizozo Revitalization Plan completed through New Mexico MainStreet’s Frontier Communities Initiative in 2015, expanding on those ideas with new strategies for long-term growth.
The process emphasized community collaboration and the town’s growing identity as an arts-focused destination. SITES engaged residents through interactive workshops, small group discussions, and an online project website that shared meeting information and draft materials. This approach ensured participation from residents both in person and remotely.
Community engagement guided every stage of the plan. Initial workshops gathered input on local priorities, and follow-up sessions helped refine goals and identify the most promising projects. SITES ultimately developed fifteen project ideas for downtown revitalization, including streetscape improvements, a district wayfinding system, an outdoor performance space, free downtown Wi-Fi, façade upgrades, a community trail system, affordable housing opportunities, and marketing and economic development strategies.
Together, these ideas form a clear and actionable path for Carrizozo’s continued growth as a creative and welcoming community.
The process emphasized community collaboration and the town’s growing identity as an arts-focused destination. SITES engaged residents through interactive workshops, small group discussions, and an online project website that shared meeting information and draft materials. This approach ensured participation from residents both in person and remotely.
Community engagement guided every stage of the plan. Initial workshops gathered input on local priorities, and follow-up sessions helped refine goals and identify the most promising projects. SITES ultimately developed fifteen project ideas for downtown revitalization, including streetscape improvements, a district wayfinding system, an outdoor performance space, free downtown Wi-Fi, façade upgrades, a community trail system, affordable housing opportunities, and marketing and economic development strategies.
Together, these ideas form a clear and actionable path for Carrizozo’s continued growth as a creative and welcoming community.
Corcoran “Corky” Park
SITES led a multidisciplinary team to bring new life to Corky Park, the central park for Horizon City and an important community gathering space adjacent to the future town center. The redesigned park supports a wide range of community events — from “Music in the Park” to the annual Christmas tree lighting — and now offers a more welcoming, functional, and activity-rich environment for residents.
The project introduced a central plaza, a plaza-style skatepark, a multi-use paved trail, upgraded baseball and softball fields, a new restroom building, multiple play structures, an embankment slide, outdoor sport courts, and new site furnishings. Twenty-two mature trees were preserved, providing valuable shade in the desert climate, while new trees, shrubs, and a modern irrigation system enhance the park’s ecological resilience.
Green infrastructure techniques are integrated throughout the design, including rain gardens and stormwater harvesting systems that support landscape health and reduce water demand. Together, these improvements establish Corky Park as a vibrant, flexible, and environmentally conscious centerpiece for Horizon City.
The project introduced a central plaza, a plaza-style skatepark, a multi-use paved trail, upgraded baseball and softball fields, a new restroom building, multiple play structures, an embankment slide, outdoor sport courts, and new site furnishings. Twenty-two mature trees were preserved, providing valuable shade in the desert climate, while new trees, shrubs, and a modern irrigation system enhance the park’s ecological resilience.
Green infrastructure techniques are integrated throughout the design, including rain gardens and stormwater harvesting systems that support landscape health and reduce water demand. Together, these improvements establish Corky Park as a vibrant, flexible, and environmentally conscious centerpiece for Horizon City.
East Downtown Albuquerque
The East Downtown (EDO) Revitalization brought a fresh, walkable vision to Albuquerque’s historic corridor, blending New Urbanist principles with local character. Centered on Central Avenue, Broadway Boulevard, and the former Old Albuquerque High School campus, the project transformed an underused district into a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood that celebrates community and place.
SITES contributed to the overall master plan, collaborating closely with design partners on site composition and landscape concepts for the first phases of redevelopment. The transformation of the Old Albuquerque High School into residential lofts anchored the effort—preserving the original architecture while introducing inviting outdoor “rooms,” landscaped plazas, and flexible gathering spaces that encourage connection and activity.
Building on that success, the EDO Master Plan established design standards for the surrounding area, guiding streetscapes, parks, roundabouts, and public plazas with a focus on sustainability, accessibility, and livability. SITES also supported the development team through conceptual design, cost estimating, and on-street parking analysis to ensure a cohesive and enduring urban fabric.
SITES contributed to the overall master plan, collaborating closely with design partners on site composition and landscape concepts for the first phases of redevelopment. The transformation of the Old Albuquerque High School into residential lofts anchored the effort—preserving the original architecture while introducing inviting outdoor “rooms,” landscaped plazas, and flexible gathering spaces that encourage connection and activity.
Building on that success, the EDO Master Plan established design standards for the surrounding area, guiding streetscapes, parks, roundabouts, and public plazas with a focus on sustainability, accessibility, and livability. SITES also supported the development team through conceptual design, cost estimating, and on-street parking analysis to ensure a cohesive and enduring urban fabric.
East Lohman Development Plan
SITES led a multidisciplinary planning and urban design team to prepare a master plan for the 150-acre East Lohman Site, a key growth area on the east side of Las Cruces. Guided by a detailed market study, the plan envisions a pedestrian-oriented, environmentally sensitive mixed-use community with neighborhood centers that complement surrounding land uses. It also includes strategies and actionable steps for the City to support high-quality development aligned with the plan’s vision.
The planning process was highly collaborative, involving city staff, elected officials, business and institutional representatives, property owners, and community members. Public engagement played a central role throughout. The City first identified key stakeholders who participated in focus groups, followed by design workshops, public meetings, and public hearings attended by residents and project partners. Their feedback shaped three alternative development scenarios, each with its own programmatic emphasis and urban structure.
Each scenario explored creative pedestrian-oriented and urban design concepts. The final master plan blends the strongest and most widely supported ideas from these alternatives, resulting in a cohesive vision that earned enthusiastic approval from both elected officials and residents.
The planning process was highly collaborative, involving city staff, elected officials, business and institutional representatives, property owners, and community members. Public engagement played a central role throughout. The City first identified key stakeholders who participated in focus groups, followed by design workshops, public meetings, and public hearings attended by residents and project partners. Their feedback shaped three alternative development scenarios, each with its own programmatic emphasis and urban structure.
Each scenario explored creative pedestrian-oriented and urban design concepts. The final master plan blends the strongest and most widely supported ideas from these alternatives, resulting in a cohesive vision that earned enthusiastic approval from both elected officials and residents.
East Mesa Sports & Recreation Complex
The East Mesa Sports & Recreation Complex is an $8.5 million project located near the East Lohman Corridor in Las Cruces, New Mexico. SITES collaborated with Wilson & Co Engineers and Architects to develop the master plan and later prepare full construction documents for this ambitious community recreation destination.
The master planning process was extensive and shaped by a comprehensive Public Information Plan that engaged a wide range of stakeholders, including trail and open space advocates, sports leagues, desert habitat supporters, nearby residents concerned about views of the Organ Mountains, biking groups, and representatives from the Bureau of Land Management. Their input helped ensure the design balanced recreation needs with environmental sensitivity and community priorities.
The final complex includes two access roads carefully routed to minimize impacts on the desert ecosystem and surrounding neighborhoods. Facilities throughout the site include soccer and football fields, baseball fields, pickleball courts, trails, playgrounds, a traditional park area, concessions and restrooms, and a greenway promenade that connects all major features. An amphitheater built into a natural hillside offers unique event and gathering opportunities while preserving the area’s natural landform.
The master planning process was extensive and shaped by a comprehensive Public Information Plan that engaged a wide range of stakeholders, including trail and open space advocates, sports leagues, desert habitat supporters, nearby residents concerned about views of the Organ Mountains, biking groups, and representatives from the Bureau of Land Management. Their input helped ensure the design balanced recreation needs with environmental sensitivity and community priorities.
The final complex includes two access roads carefully routed to minimize impacts on the desert ecosystem and surrounding neighborhoods. Facilities throughout the site include soccer and football fields, baseball fields, pickleball courts, trails, playgrounds, a traditional park area, concessions and restrooms, and a greenway promenade that connects all major features. An amphitheater built into a natural hillside offers unique event and gathering opportunities while preserving the area’s natural landform.
El Paso Open Space Enhancements
SITES led a multidisciplinary team to create unique, custom designs for improvements at two stormwater dam sites in El Paso: Van Buren Dam and Louisiana Dam. The team developed creative solutions that added community amenities while maintaining the full stormwater capacity and functional requirements of both facilities.
The design introduces a connected system of hard and soft surface trails that link new plazas and gathering spaces. Project amenities include upgraded lighting, ADA-accessible routes, interpretive educational signage, outdoor workout equipment, and enhanced protection of native vegetation. Areas previously disturbed during dam operations were restored with low-water desert plantings and efficient drip irrigation.
Sustainable stormwater strategies are central to the project. Check dams slow and capture runoff before it enters the city’s broader conveyance system, allowing the water to supplement irrigation for native plants. The design also preserves existing natural areas to protect the habitat and ecological health of the Chihuahuan Desert region, ensuring these critical landscapes continue to support local flora and fauna.
The design introduces a connected system of hard and soft surface trails that link new plazas and gathering spaces. Project amenities include upgraded lighting, ADA-accessible routes, interpretive educational signage, outdoor workout equipment, and enhanced protection of native vegetation. Areas previously disturbed during dam operations were restored with low-water desert plantings and efficient drip irrigation.
Sustainable stormwater strategies are central to the project. Check dams slow and capture runoff before it enters the city’s broader conveyance system, allowing the water to supplement irrigation for native plants. The design also preserves existing natural areas to protect the habitat and ecological health of the Chihuahuan Desert region, ensuring these critical landscapes continue to support local flora and fauna.
Farmington Animas Action Plan
SITES led a multidisciplinary team to prepare an Action Plan for the revitalization of the Animas District in Farmington. Once a hub for local agriculture and later a center for energy-sector industrial uses, the area had become increasingly blighted and overlooked. With nearby assets such as the renovated Main Street, the Animas River, and the San Juan Regional Medical Center, the district presented a significant opportunity to reimagine a vibrant neighborhood with modest-scale housing and improved connections to the community.
Through extensive planning and public engagement, the team developed a master plan that reconnects the district to both its natural environment and the town center. Key strategies include integrating regional trails, parks, and educational opportunities along the Animas River; incorporating orchards and open space to honor the area’s agricultural legacy; promoting “missing middle” housing types to expand local housing options; and enhancing streets and infrastructure to better link destinations and support walkability throughout the district.
Through extensive planning and public engagement, the team developed a master plan that reconnects the district to both its natural environment and the town center. Key strategies include integrating regional trails, parks, and educational opportunities along the Animas River; incorporating orchards and open space to honor the area’s agricultural legacy; promoting “missing middle” housing types to expand local housing options; and enhancing streets and infrastructure to better link destinations and support walkability throughout the district.
Farmington Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) Plan
SITES worked with the City of Farmington to develop a Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) Master Plan that guides near-term investments in facilities, programs, and policies to advance the department’s strategic goals. The plan was informed in part by collaboration with the City’s DEI Advisory Council, ensuring a broad range of community perspectives and lived experiences were considered throughout the process.
The plan was shaped by a robust community engagement process that included meetings with staff leadership, open conversations with each division’s frontline staff, public workshops, interactive activities at community events, a project website, and a citywide survey. These efforts grounded the plan in local priorities and insights from people who use, manage, and rely on the City’s parks, recreational facilities, and cultural spaces.
The resulting master plan provides a comprehensive, community-driven roadmap for enhancing Farmington’s parks and recreation system — supporting vibrant public spaces, meaningful programming, and a clear vision for the future of PRCA services.
The plan was shaped by a robust community engagement process that included meetings with staff leadership, open conversations with each division’s frontline staff, public workshops, interactive activities at community events, a project website, and a citywide survey. These efforts grounded the plan in local priorities and insights from people who use, manage, and rely on the City’s parks, recreational facilities, and cultural spaces.
The resulting master plan provides a comprehensive, community-driven roadmap for enhancing Farmington’s parks and recreation system — supporting vibrant public spaces, meaningful programming, and a clear vision for the future of PRCA services.
Gallup - Coal Avenue Commons
The Coal Avenue Commons project, funded through the National Endowment for the Arts’ Our Town initiative and matched by local partners, brings together arts, culture, and community to support the revitalization of downtown Gallup. The project is the result of years of collaboration among the City of Gallup, McKinley County, gallupARTS, Gallup MainStreet Arts & Cultural District, the Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments, the McCune Foundation, and the state’s only Business Improvement District.
Guided by a robust and highly creative public engagement process, the team worked to develop a flexible, business-friendly event street that reflects Gallup’s cultural identity and supports everyday community life. The outcome is an innovative yet achievable design, complete with construction-ready documents, that positions Coal Avenue as a welcoming and art-focused gathering place for residents and visitors.
Coal Avenue Commons stands as a strong example of creative placemaking — a project that uses art and culture to spark lasting social and economic change in the heart of the community.
Guided by a robust and highly creative public engagement process, the team worked to develop a flexible, business-friendly event street that reflects Gallup’s cultural identity and supports everyday community life. The outcome is an innovative yet achievable design, complete with construction-ready documents, that positions Coal Avenue as a welcoming and art-focused gathering place for residents and visitors.
Coal Avenue Commons stands as a strong example of creative placemaking — a project that uses art and culture to spark lasting social and economic change in the heart of the community.
High Desert Community
High Desert is a 1,400-acre mixed-use community in the foothills of Albuquerque, developed with a strong emphasis on environmentally appropriate, naturalistic landscaping. The master plan preserves roughly 400 acres of open space and integrates sustainable design throughout the community. Over a 12-year period, SITES provided master planning, landscape design, research, and ongoing project management.
SITES designed the community’s streetscapes, drainage ponds, parks, trails, open spaces, and wildlife drinkers, all shaped around a closed-loop water system. Every drop of precipitation is harvested, filtered, and reused in the landscape. Plantings are drought-tolerant, with water captured from roads, rooftops, and other hard surfaces. Materials—including gravel, boulders, and many plants—were sourced within 50 miles, and native vegetation was preserved or enhanced using passive, gravity-fed irrigation. SITES also served on the design review committee and authored the High Desert Plant List and Landscape Revegetation Guidelines.
Two major water-focused projects were developed within the community. The High Desert Water Harvesting Project functions as an interactive storm drain distillation and retention facility, collecting water from nearby arroyos and streets. A circular, stone-clad kiva forms the ponding area, with walkways, seating, and space for a large seasonal-marker sculpture.
At Pino Pond, SITES preserved mature piñon and juniper stands while creating an interpretive trail that explains the geologic history of the Rio Grande Rift. The planting design replicates the natural ecotone progression from the summit of the Sandia Mountains down to the Rio Grande Valley, completing the project with a strong sense of ecological place.
SITES designed the community’s streetscapes, drainage ponds, parks, trails, open spaces, and wildlife drinkers, all shaped around a closed-loop water system. Every drop of precipitation is harvested, filtered, and reused in the landscape. Plantings are drought-tolerant, with water captured from roads, rooftops, and other hard surfaces. Materials—including gravel, boulders, and many plants—were sourced within 50 miles, and native vegetation was preserved or enhanced using passive, gravity-fed irrigation. SITES also served on the design review committee and authored the High Desert Plant List and Landscape Revegetation Guidelines.
Two major water-focused projects were developed within the community. The High Desert Water Harvesting Project functions as an interactive storm drain distillation and retention facility, collecting water from nearby arroyos and streets. A circular, stone-clad kiva forms the ponding area, with walkways, seating, and space for a large seasonal-marker sculpture.
At Pino Pond, SITES preserved mature piñon and juniper stands while creating an interpretive trail that explains the geologic history of the Rio Grande Rift. The planting design replicates the natural ecotone progression from the summit of the Sandia Mountains down to the Rio Grande Valley, completing the project with a strong sense of ecological place.
Joey Barraza & Vino Memorial Park
The 28-acre Joey Barraza & Vino Memorial Park on El Paso’s north side transforms a long-vacant parcel into one of the city’s most active community destinations. Formerly Northeast Regional Park, the site was renamed in 2018 to honor Border Patrol Agent Joey Barraza and his K-9 partner Vino, who both died in the line of duty. Funded through the 2012 Quality of Life Bond Program and a Texas Parks & Wildlife grant, the project reflects the City’s dedication to celebrating local heroes while expanding access to outdoor recreation.
SITES led the park’s design, connecting the new expansion to the existing park and trail system and weaving features such as the skate park and public art into a refreshed overall layout. The redeveloped park offers amenities for a wide range of users, including three championship soccer fields, the northeast’s first large-scale dog park, walking and jogging trails linked to the Paso del Norte Trail, a food truck plaza, and shaded areas for picnicking and informal gatherings.
An all-abilities playground serves as the park’s central feature, with interactive equipment, protective surfacing, and generous shade canopies. New plazas, seating areas, water fountains, and thoughtfully landscaped parking improve comfort and ease of use throughout the site.
Since reopening in 2023, Joey Barraza & Vino Memorial Park has become a lively hub for families, athletes, dog owners, and neighbors, offering a modern public space shaped around activity, connection, and community pride.
SITES led the park’s design, connecting the new expansion to the existing park and trail system and weaving features such as the skate park and public art into a refreshed overall layout. The redeveloped park offers amenities for a wide range of users, including three championship soccer fields, the northeast’s first large-scale dog park, walking and jogging trails linked to the Paso del Norte Trail, a food truck plaza, and shaded areas for picnicking and informal gatherings.
An all-abilities playground serves as the park’s central feature, with interactive equipment, protective surfacing, and generous shade canopies. New plazas, seating areas, water fountains, and thoughtfully landscaped parking improve comfort and ease of use throughout the site.
Since reopening in 2023, Joey Barraza & Vino Memorial Park has become a lively hub for families, athletes, dog owners, and neighbors, offering a modern public space shaped around activity, connection, and community pride.
Las Cruces Downtown Master Plan
The City of Las Cruces hired SITES to develop a vision and planning strategy for revitalizing its downtown. A central focus of this effort was the reopening of Main Street to restore it as a major north–south arterial that would bring energy, activity, and thousands of daily travelers back into the heart of the city. The broader redevelopment strategy called for a new civic plaza and government buildings, stronger support for specialty retail and service providers, and a renewed emphasis on downtown as a center for arts and culture.
SITES served as the lead consultant for the plan’s catalyst project, the Main Street Plaza. The plaza is designed as a flexible, curbless street with shade structures, lit bollards, and special paving. It can be closed to vehicles for festivals, performances, markets, and other community events. During the design process, computer generated visual simulations helped residents and decision makers picture how a more active and welcoming downtown could look and feel.
SITES also designed distinctive landscape improvements for two key civic buildings in the district: Las Cruces City Hall and the Las Cruces Federal Courthouse. Together, these projects support a long-term vision for a lively, connected, and people-focused downtown.
SITES served as the lead consultant for the plan’s catalyst project, the Main Street Plaza. The plaza is designed as a flexible, curbless street with shade structures, lit bollards, and special paving. It can be closed to vehicles for festivals, performances, markets, and other community events. During the design process, computer generated visual simulations helped residents and decision makers picture how a more active and welcoming downtown could look and feel.
SITES also designed distinctive landscape improvements for two key civic buildings in the district: Las Cruces City Hall and the Las Cruces Federal Courthouse. Together, these projects support a long-term vision for a lively, connected, and people-focused downtown.
Las Vegas Great Blocks
SITES was commissioned by New Mexico MainStreet to provide planning and design services for the Great Blocks Program in Las Vegas’ Historic Railroad District. The project focused on three blocks along Lincoln and Railroad Avenues, an area rich in history and positioned for renewed activity.
The redesign of Railroad Avenue creates a two-lane street with parallel parking and generous sidewalks on both sides. The wider east side accommodates both a walkway and a multi-use path for bicycles and pedestrians, which is planned to extend south and connect with the Galleta River Trail. A small sidewalk plaza and a mid-block crossing at the historic Castaneda Hotel improve pedestrian access and strengthen the sense of arrival at this landmark.
East Lincoln Street is envisioned as a flexible corridor that functions as a traditional street most days and transforms into a pedestrian plaza during events. Trees line the space, supported by permeable paving and subsurface wicking systems. The street grade is slightly elevated with low mountable curbs, creating a more comfortable walking environment. Gateways at the Grand Avenue intersection mark the entrance to the district, while steel railroad rails embedded in the roadway pay homage to the site’s past. Throughout the project area, sidewalk extensions and improved crossings make pedestrian travel safer and more intuitive.
The redesign of Railroad Avenue creates a two-lane street with parallel parking and generous sidewalks on both sides. The wider east side accommodates both a walkway and a multi-use path for bicycles and pedestrians, which is planned to extend south and connect with the Galleta River Trail. A small sidewalk plaza and a mid-block crossing at the historic Castaneda Hotel improve pedestrian access and strengthen the sense of arrival at this landmark.
East Lincoln Street is envisioned as a flexible corridor that functions as a traditional street most days and transforms into a pedestrian plaza during events. Trees line the space, supported by permeable paving and subsurface wicking systems. The street grade is slightly elevated with low mountable curbs, creating a more comfortable walking environment. Gateways at the Grand Avenue intersection mark the entrance to the district, while steel railroad rails embedded in the roadway pay homage to the site’s past. Throughout the project area, sidewalk extensions and improved crossings make pedestrian travel safer and more intuitive.
Los Lunas Transportation Center Master Plan
SITES prepared the Master Plan and Phase One Design for the Los Lunas Transportation Center, a district centered on the community’s Rail Runner station. The effort included land use planning, New Urbanist–style charrettes, urban design, placemaking, and construction documents. Although earlier plans for the area dated back to 2006, SITES was hired in 2013 to create a cohesive master plan with a stronger emphasis on land use and the long-term vision for a walkable Village Center.
Following the planning phase, the team advanced the urban design for the district. Key elements included a Rio Metro bus hub for Valencia County, three event and concert spaces, a central plaza, shared parking, and opportunities for mixed-use development with retail and residential uses. SITES then designed the new plaza, drop-off area, Rio Metro Hub, and connections to parking, the Rail Runner platform, and surrounding site features.
As planning progressed, the district was designated a metropolitan redevelopment area and the Village acquired additional land, prompting an update to the Master Plan in 2018. Phase One construction was completed in 2017. SITES supported the Village’s goal of creating a vibrant and walkable center with attainable housing, economic development opportunities, and increased transit use. The plan identifies strategies for multifamily housing, ground-floor retail, commercial office space, outdoor civic spaces, and multimodal circulation improvements to make the district a lively place to walk, bike, work, and live.
Following the planning phase, the team advanced the urban design for the district. Key elements included a Rio Metro bus hub for Valencia County, three event and concert spaces, a central plaza, shared parking, and opportunities for mixed-use development with retail and residential uses. SITES then designed the new plaza, drop-off area, Rio Metro Hub, and connections to parking, the Rail Runner platform, and surrounding site features.
As planning progressed, the district was designated a metropolitan redevelopment area and the Village acquired additional land, prompting an update to the Master Plan in 2018. Phase One construction was completed in 2017. SITES supported the Village’s goal of creating a vibrant and walkable center with attainable housing, economic development opportunities, and increased transit use. The plan identifies strategies for multifamily housing, ground-floor retail, commercial office space, outdoor civic spaces, and multimodal circulation improvements to make the district a lively place to walk, bike, work, and live.
Los Ranchos 4th Street Revitalization
SITES partnered with the Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque to transform a neglected remnant of the original Route 66 into a landmark roadway and civic corridor for this semi-rural community in the Middle Rio Grande Valley. The Fourth Street Revitalization Project celebrates the village’s agricultural heritage and open-space character while creating a vibrant Main Street that serves as an economic and cultural hub for residents and visitors alike.
The design reflects the community’s history and identity through locally inspired materials, agricultural plantings, and subtle design motifs. A complete-street approach guided the reimagining of the corridor, which now features a widened brick and pigmented concrete sidewalk, layered landscaping, and a pedestrian promenade with plazas, shaded seating areas, and new lighting. Custom street furniture and thoughtfully integrated public spaces reinforce Fourth Street as a welcoming, walkable destination.
Major improvements included a lane reduction to create a calmer, more people-oriented street, new custom bus stops, gateway signage to announce arrival into the village, beacon-controlled pedestrian crossings, and a new public parking lot to support local businesses and events. Together, these elements redefine Fourth Street as a signature community space that honors Los Ranchos’ rural roots while supporting its future as a thriving local center.
The design reflects the community’s history and identity through locally inspired materials, agricultural plantings, and subtle design motifs. A complete-street approach guided the reimagining of the corridor, which now features a widened brick and pigmented concrete sidewalk, layered landscaping, and a pedestrian promenade with plazas, shaded seating areas, and new lighting. Custom street furniture and thoughtfully integrated public spaces reinforce Fourth Street as a welcoming, walkable destination.
Major improvements included a lane reduction to create a calmer, more people-oriented street, new custom bus stops, gateway signage to announce arrival into the village, beacon-controlled pedestrian crossings, and a new public parking lot to support local businesses and events. Together, these elements redefine Fourth Street as a signature community space that honors Los Ranchos’ rural roots while supporting its future as a thriving local center.
Manzanita Ridge Neighborhood Park
SITES, Ashley Vance Engineering, and S&F Land Services partnered with Bend Parks and Recreation District to support the full public engagement and design process for Manzanita Ridge Park. Early outreach revealed a clear divide in community preferences. Some residents wanted a natural open space park, while others preferred a more traditional neighborhood park with areas to play, picnic, and gather.
To respond to the Shevlin West Neighborhood and surrounding communities, the team facilitated a strong engagement process that included online surveys, pop up events, and public meetings. Three concept options were developed and refined based on public and stakeholder input, leading to a final preferred design. The team then carried the plan through construction documents and provided construction oversight.
Manzanita Ridge Park recently opened, bringing the community’s shared vision to life. The design blends traditional park features such as a grassy lawn, playground, and nature play area with preserved high-desert open space that includes trails and native landscape. The result is a park that reflects the community’s varied needs and offers spaces for recreation, gathering, and quiet enjoyment of the natural environment.
To respond to the Shevlin West Neighborhood and surrounding communities, the team facilitated a strong engagement process that included online surveys, pop up events, and public meetings. Three concept options were developed and refined based on public and stakeholder input, leading to a final preferred design. The team then carried the plan through construction documents and provided construction oversight.
Manzanita Ridge Park recently opened, bringing the community’s shared vision to life. The design blends traditional park features such as a grassy lawn, playground, and nature play area with preserved high-desert open space that includes trails and native landscape. The result is a park that reflects the community’s varied needs and offers spaces for recreation, gathering, and quiet enjoyment of the natural environment.
New Mexico Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Update
SITES partnered with New Mexico State Parks, the Economic Development Department’s Outdoor Recreation Division, and the National Park Service to assess outdoor recreation resources, identify statewide trends, and complete an inventory of trails across New Mexico. The Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department, State Parks Division initiated the 2021–2026 update of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), which directs the State’s allocation from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
SITES led the planning process and was responsible for analyzing national and statewide recreation trends, summarizing the economic impact of outdoor recreation in New Mexico, and creating a comprehensive resource inventory with associated maps. The team also examined environmental opportunities and threats, explored the role of outdoor education, and evaluated ongoing issues related to access and equity in recreation opportunities.
The plan was developed through extensive engagement that included leaders from agencies, non-profits, and communities, as well as residents and recreationalists from across the state. The resulting recommendations outline long-term strategies for outdoor recreation planning and identify needs and opportunities for establishing recreation and historic trails in every region of New Mexico.
SITES led the planning process and was responsible for analyzing national and statewide recreation trends, summarizing the economic impact of outdoor recreation in New Mexico, and creating a comprehensive resource inventory with associated maps. The team also examined environmental opportunities and threats, explored the role of outdoor education, and evaluated ongoing issues related to access and equity in recreation opportunities.
The plan was developed through extensive engagement that included leaders from agencies, non-profits, and communities, as well as residents and recreationalists from across the state. The resulting recommendations outline long-term strategies for outdoor recreation planning and identify needs and opportunities for establishing recreation and historic trails in every region of New Mexico.
Paso del Norte Trail Master Plan
SITES led the comprehensive master planning effort for the Paso del Norte Trail in El Paso, a regional initiative rooted in the Paso del Norte Health Foundation’s mission to promote health, active living, and community well-being. The vision for the trail is ambitious. Once complete, the 60-plus-mile route will link the New Mexico–Texas border to the southeastern corner of El Paso County and connect to major destinations such as UTEP, Franklin Mountains Open Space, Mission Valley communities, and a proposed loop through Juarez. It also serves as the Texas continuation of New Mexico’s planned Rio Grande Trail.
The master plan highlights the history, culture, and landscape of the region. Themes draw from El Camino Real, the agricultural heritage of the Rio Grande, and the area’s mission sites, expressed through design elements and interpretive opportunities. The system incorporates a range of trail types that include paved multi-use paths, unpaved ditch and levee roads, and urban segments with enhanced sidewalks and bikeways.
As implementation progresses, SITES continues to support several engineering firms with the design of key trail segments, including the Playa Drain Trail and the Border Highway Trail. These projects introduce comfortable pedestrian routes with benches, trash receptacles, pet waste stations, and new desert-adapted landscaping to provide shade and ecological value. By activating underused corridors and improving access across neighborhoods, the Paso del Norte Trail advances regional connectivity and encourages healthier, more active communities.
The master plan highlights the history, culture, and landscape of the region. Themes draw from El Camino Real, the agricultural heritage of the Rio Grande, and the area’s mission sites, expressed through design elements and interpretive opportunities. The system incorporates a range of trail types that include paved multi-use paths, unpaved ditch and levee roads, and urban segments with enhanced sidewalks and bikeways.
As implementation progresses, SITES continues to support several engineering firms with the design of key trail segments, including the Playa Drain Trail and the Border Highway Trail. These projects introduce comfortable pedestrian routes with benches, trash receptacles, pet waste stations, and new desert-adapted landscaping to provide shade and ecological value. By activating underused corridors and improving access across neighborhoods, the Paso del Norte Trail advances regional connectivity and encourages healthier, more active communities.
Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint
The Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint is the first overlook along the Historic Columbia River Highway as visitors head east from Portland, offering one of the most iconic views of the Columbia River Gorge. SITES worked with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to develop a comprehensive plan for revitalizing this celebrated site, balancing visitor access, resource protection, and the preservation of its historic character.
The design addressed priorities identified in the Columbia River Gorge Management Units Plan and incorporated standards from the Scenic Resources Implementation Handbook, the HCRH Trail Design Guidelines, and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Management Plan. It focused on enhancing the visitor experience by separating vehicles from pedestrian viewing areas and introducing an ADA-accessible route across the site’s steep slopes.
Other proposed improvements included expanded but discreetly screened parking, new restroom facilities, additional seating and gathering areas, and amenities for cyclists and trail users entering the Gorge. The design also emphasized environmental stewardship through invasive species removal, native plant restoration, and preservation of historic monuments.
Public engagement was a key part of the process. SITES supported Oregon Parks and Recreation Department-led outreach through opportunities-and-constraints analyses, schematic concepts, and refined designs shaped by community feedback. The resulting plan provides a clear, context-sensitive vision for improving accessibility and sustainability at one of the Pacific Northwest’s most remarkable viewpoints.
The design addressed priorities identified in the Columbia River Gorge Management Units Plan and incorporated standards from the Scenic Resources Implementation Handbook, the HCRH Trail Design Guidelines, and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Management Plan. It focused on enhancing the visitor experience by separating vehicles from pedestrian viewing areas and introducing an ADA-accessible route across the site’s steep slopes.
Other proposed improvements included expanded but discreetly screened parking, new restroom facilities, additional seating and gathering areas, and amenities for cyclists and trail users entering the Gorge. The design also emphasized environmental stewardship through invasive species removal, native plant restoration, and preservation of historic monuments.
Public engagement was a key part of the process. SITES supported Oregon Parks and Recreation Department-led outreach through opportunities-and-constraints analyses, schematic concepts, and refined designs shaped by community feedback. The resulting plan provides a clear, context-sensitive vision for improving accessibility and sustainability at one of the Pacific Northwest’s most remarkable viewpoints.
Rio Grande Trail Master Plan
SITES partnered with Alta Planning + Design to help the New Mexico State Parks Division advance the long-envisioned Rio Grande Trail. Spanning more than 500 miles from Colorado to Texas, the master plan builds on earlier work—including previous efforts by SITES—that identified potential trail alignments through the southern two thirds of the state.
For this phase, the team developed a numeric ranking system to evaluate and refine those earlier alignment options and explored new alternatives through the northern third of New Mexico. The result is a recommended border-to-border route that links Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.
The master plan also provides guidance on trail types suited to the state’s varied landscapes, user needs and accommodations, implementation strategies, and long-term management approaches to support a continuous, high quality recreational corridor.
For this phase, the team developed a numeric ranking system to evaluate and refine those earlier alignment options and explored new alternatives through the northern third of New Mexico. The result is a recommended border-to-border route that links Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.
The master plan also provides guidance on trail types suited to the state’s varied landscapes, user needs and accommodations, implementation strategies, and long-term management approaches to support a continuous, high quality recreational corridor.
Sandia Ranch Master Plan
Bernalillo County hired SITES to prepare a Master Plan and schematic design for the 20-acre Sandia Ranch property in Albuquerque. This agriculturally focused project involved extensive public engagement and close coordination with the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District and the American Sign Language Academy. SITES led the site analysis, programming, master planning, and preparation of construction documents.
The program for Sandia Ranch reflects the site’s agricultural heritage and community-oriented mission. Planned features include zones for animal husbandry and farming with field seed plots, orchards, and vineyards. Trails follow the historic Camino Real and the acequia that runs through the property. Additional elements include 4H and County Extension Service offices and grounds, an arena with bleachers and pens, a small neighborhood park and playground, master gardening areas, a rodeo arena, and an interpretive kiosk for El Camino.
The resulting plan creates a multifunctional, educational, and agricultural landscape that serves both local residents and regional partners.
The program for Sandia Ranch reflects the site’s agricultural heritage and community-oriented mission. Planned features include zones for animal husbandry and farming with field seed plots, orchards, and vineyards. Trails follow the historic Camino Real and the acequia that runs through the property. Additional elements include 4H and County Extension Service offices and grounds, an arena with bleachers and pens, a small neighborhood park and playground, master gardening areas, a rodeo arena, and an interpretive kiosk for El Camino.
The resulting plan creates a multifunctional, educational, and agricultural landscape that serves both local residents and regional partners.
Tiguex Park and Albuquerque Museum District Master Plan
Tiguex Park has been a cornerstone of Albuquerque’s public life since the 1970s, connecting the city’s historic Old Town Plaza and shopping district to its three major museums. More than a neighborhood park, it serves as a civic gathering space, a recreational hub, and a cultural gateway for residents and visitors alike.
Working with the City of Albuquerque, SITES developed a master plan to reinvigorate this beloved urban park while strengthening its role within the broader Museum District. The plan addressed updated program needs, improved drainage and water conservation, enhanced safety and visibility, and ensured accessibility for all users. A detailed analysis of surrounding land uses and urban connections informed the park’s redesign, creating stronger visual and physical links between Tiguex Park, the museums, and the adjacent neighborhoods.
To reinforce a sense of place, SITES introduced a cohesive system of aesthetic elements, including new pathways, gathering spaces, and signature gateway monuments built with local materials and inspired by historic building forms. Combined with sustainable landscape design and native plantings, these improvements reestablished Tiguex Park as both a neighborhood anchor and a destination within the city’s cultural core.
Working with the City of Albuquerque, SITES developed a master plan to reinvigorate this beloved urban park while strengthening its role within the broader Museum District. The plan addressed updated program needs, improved drainage and water conservation, enhanced safety and visibility, and ensured accessibility for all users. A detailed analysis of surrounding land uses and urban connections informed the park’s redesign, creating stronger visual and physical links between Tiguex Park, the museums, and the adjacent neighborhoods.
To reinforce a sense of place, SITES introduced a cohesive system of aesthetic elements, including new pathways, gathering spaces, and signature gateway monuments built with local materials and inspired by historic building forms. Combined with sustainable landscape design and native plantings, these improvements reestablished Tiguex Park as both a neighborhood anchor and a destination within the city’s cultural core.
University Area Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Plan
SITES worked with the City of Albuquerque to establish and plan the South University of New Mexico (UNM) Metropolitan Redevelopment Area, a neighborhood with strong assets but ongoing challenges related to business retention and long-term residency. The area faced high commercial vacancy rates, deteriorating structures, and public safety concerns, contributing to visible blight and economic decline.
In close collaboration with City staff, SITES led the designation process for the redevelopment area, identifying opportunities for reinvestment that respected the surrounding historic and residential neighborhoods. Following designation, the team developed a Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Plan that outlined key catalytic strategies and recommended public and private investments to strengthen the area’s economic health.
Through an inclusive engagement process, SITES worked with businesses, residents, property owners, developers, and representatives from major institutions to shape the plan. A central outcome was the creation of a stakeholder group dedicated to advocating for business improvement and ongoing community investment, ensuring the plan’s momentum continues beyond adoption.
In close collaboration with City staff, SITES led the designation process for the redevelopment area, identifying opportunities for reinvestment that respected the surrounding historic and residential neighborhoods. Following designation, the team developed a Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Plan that outlined key catalytic strategies and recommended public and private investments to strengthen the area’s economic health.
Through an inclusive engagement process, SITES worked with businesses, residents, property owners, developers, and representatives from major institutions to shape the plan. A central outcome was the creation of a stakeholder group dedicated to advocating for business improvement and ongoing community investment, ensuring the plan’s momentum continues beyond adoption.
University of Texas El Paso Projects
SITES has partnered with the University of Texas at El Paso on several projects that enhance outdoor spaces across campus, support student life, and reflect UTEP’s distinctive setting.
For the Engineering Building addition, SITES designed a sunken outdoor plaza that features decorative, functional steps and dual-purpose planters that double as amphitheater seating for small events. Custom gabion benches, artistically designed trash receptacles, turf grass, flowering trees, and low water plantings create a lively, shaded environment and strengthen pedestrian connections between buildings.
Phase II improvements at the UTEP Swimming and Fitness Facility focused on outdoor recreation areas. The work included relocating a sand volleyball court, updating the ropes challenge course, and creating a new multi-purpose synthetic turf field on a steeply sloped site that required extensive contouring. SITES collaborated closely with UTEP staff, user groups, and design partners to ensure the final layout met a wide range of needs.
Additional upgrades included aesthetic improvements to the Student Union Building landscape and student plaza, where native and xeric plantings provide year-round color while preserving the campus’s mature shade trees.
For UTEP’s centennial celebration, SITES designed five unique outdoor areas across campus. Each concept was supported by 3D models, sketches, and presentation boards that illustrated how the new spaces would support academic and social life.
SITES also enhanced the outdoor areas around the former Psychology Building, preserving major shade trees and adding native plantings, patios, and deck areas that offer flexible spaces for study, gathering, and campus events.
For the Engineering Building addition, SITES designed a sunken outdoor plaza that features decorative, functional steps and dual-purpose planters that double as amphitheater seating for small events. Custom gabion benches, artistically designed trash receptacles, turf grass, flowering trees, and low water plantings create a lively, shaded environment and strengthen pedestrian connections between buildings.
Phase II improvements at the UTEP Swimming and Fitness Facility focused on outdoor recreation areas. The work included relocating a sand volleyball court, updating the ropes challenge course, and creating a new multi-purpose synthetic turf field on a steeply sloped site that required extensive contouring. SITES collaborated closely with UTEP staff, user groups, and design partners to ensure the final layout met a wide range of needs.
Additional upgrades included aesthetic improvements to the Student Union Building landscape and student plaza, where native and xeric plantings provide year-round color while preserving the campus’s mature shade trees.
For UTEP’s centennial celebration, SITES designed five unique outdoor areas across campus. Each concept was supported by 3D models, sketches, and presentation boards that illustrated how the new spaces would support academic and social life.
SITES also enhanced the outdoor areas around the former Psychology Building, preserving major shade trees and adding native plantings, patios, and deck areas that offer flexible spaces for study, gathering, and campus events.
Valle De Oro Master Plan
SITES partnered with Wilson & Co. and a multi-agency team—including the Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo & Flood Control Authority (AMAFCA), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), and Ducks Unlimited—to craft the master plan for the nation’s first purpose-designed urban wildlife refuge in Albuquerque’s South Valley.
Located on a former dairy farm just south of Albuquerque, the 570-acre refuge has been transformed through thoughtful planning into a landscape that supports both wildlife and community. From the outset the project employed an extensive public-interaction strategy involving workshops, charrettes, field trips, public gatherings, and meetings with local and national agencies.
The plan’s vision included restoring habitat for waterfowl and other avian and land-based species, creating six wetland or management units, organizing the site around fields informed by its agricultural history, and weaving in both pedestrian and equestrian trails. Botany study labs, children’s learning exhibits, and a salt-grass habitat emphasize education and ecology. Innovative stormwater features serve as both functional art and infrastructure that cleanses runoff before it reaches the Rio Grande.
At its core, this project reflects SITES’ commitment to designing landscapes that serve people, habitat, and process in equal measure. Valle de Oro stands as a model of how ecological restoration, public engagement, and community access can converge in an urban setting, offering memorable outdoor experiences and meaningful stewardship opportunities for decades to come.
Located on a former dairy farm just south of Albuquerque, the 570-acre refuge has been transformed through thoughtful planning into a landscape that supports both wildlife and community. From the outset the project employed an extensive public-interaction strategy involving workshops, charrettes, field trips, public gatherings, and meetings with local and national agencies.
The plan’s vision included restoring habitat for waterfowl and other avian and land-based species, creating six wetland or management units, organizing the site around fields informed by its agricultural history, and weaving in both pedestrian and equestrian trails. Botany study labs, children’s learning exhibits, and a salt-grass habitat emphasize education and ecology. Innovative stormwater features serve as both functional art and infrastructure that cleanses runoff before it reaches the Rio Grande.
At its core, this project reflects SITES’ commitment to designing landscapes that serve people, habitat, and process in equal measure. Valle de Oro stands as a model of how ecological restoration, public engagement, and community access can converge in an urban setting, offering memorable outdoor experiences and meaningful stewardship opportunities for decades to come.
Village of Ruidoso Comprehensive Plan
SITES has a long-standing partnership with the Village of Ruidoso, supporting efforts that include comprehensive planning, the designation and planning of two metropolitan redevelopment areas, workforce housing initiatives, and zoning code updates. The Village’s most recent Comprehensive Plan focused on strengthening the local economy by diversifying job opportunities while continuing to support Ruidoso’s tourism-driven businesses. Residents emphasized the need for living wage employment, workforce housing, and more recreational options for youth and families. Resiliency and emergency preparedness related to wildfire and flooding were also central to the plan.
Community feedback played a major role in shaping the recommendations. SITES facilitated a large public forum and a series of focus groups during a multi day site visit, where meals were provided to encourage participation. Absentee property owners, Village staff, and local leadership all assisted in outreach efforts, resulting in exceptional attendance across all events.
Village staff were engaged throughout the process and helped refine the final recommendations, which made it easier to integrate the plan’s actions into department work programs. Since adoption, the Village has taken steady steps toward implementation, including utility reviews and upgrades, zoning code amendments, and improvements to parks and public facilities.
Community feedback played a major role in shaping the recommendations. SITES facilitated a large public forum and a series of focus groups during a multi day site visit, where meals were provided to encourage participation. Absentee property owners, Village staff, and local leadership all assisted in outreach efforts, resulting in exceptional attendance across all events.
Village staff were engaged throughout the process and helped refine the final recommendations, which made it easier to integrate the plan’s actions into department work programs. Since adoption, the Village has taken steady steps toward implementation, including utility reviews and upgrades, zoning code amendments, and improvements to parks and public facilities.
Vistoso Trails Master Plan
SITES prepared the Vistoso Trails Master Plan for the Town of Oro Valley, creating a community-focused plan that honored the area’s natural resources while aligning with the Town’s vision for high quality open space. The project required a careful balance between community amenities and long-term conservation goals, and SITES delivered a plan that met both.
Public engagement was central to the process. To make participation easy and effective, SITES held meetings in locations similar to the site being planned, allowing residents to experience comparable environments as they provided input. Community feedback shaped key elements of the plan, including nature play areas, an amphitheater for classes and star gazing, and safer pedestrian connections for children walking from the nearby school. SITES also worked with the school to designate parking areas that make it convenient for families to access the trail system.
The project area winds through an affluent residential community with ongoing development, a pattern similar to the High Desert Community Plan. That experience helped SITES tailor a design that fits seamlessly within its surroundings while remaining true to the project’s conservation goals.
Partnerships were essential to the plan’s success. SITES worked closely with The Conservation Fund, the Arizona chapter of Audubon, and local archaeologists to ensure that preservation remained at the center of the design. The plan protects wildlife habitat, enhances bird-friendly open spaces, and safeguards on-site petroglyphs, integrating conservation into every aspect of the trail system.
Public engagement was central to the process. To make participation easy and effective, SITES held meetings in locations similar to the site being planned, allowing residents to experience comparable environments as they provided input. Community feedback shaped key elements of the plan, including nature play areas, an amphitheater for classes and star gazing, and safer pedestrian connections for children walking from the nearby school. SITES also worked with the school to designate parking areas that make it convenient for families to access the trail system.
The project area winds through an affluent residential community with ongoing development, a pattern similar to the High Desert Community Plan. That experience helped SITES tailor a design that fits seamlessly within its surroundings while remaining true to the project’s conservation goals.
Partnerships were essential to the plan’s success. SITES worked closely with The Conservation Fund, the Arizona chapter of Audubon, and local archaeologists to ensure that preservation remained at the center of the design. The plan protects wildlife habitat, enhances bird-friendly open spaces, and safeguards on-site petroglyphs, integrating conservation into every aspect of the trail system.
Master planning lays the foundation for a cohesive, long-term vision that guides development and growth. At SITES, we collaborate with clients to craft plans that blend visionary concepts with realistic phasing, implementation strategies, and alignment with policy and regulatory frameworks. Our work includes parks, recreation facilities, trail systems, open space networks, plazas, and multi-facility campuses. With sustainability and equity at the core, we help clients secure funding and community support through clear, compelling plans that emphasize functionality, beauty, and long-term stewardship. Whether reimagining existing space or designing anew, our master plans support vibrant and resilient communities.
Sofa pod
The team at SITES is leading the effort to help New Mexico understand and prioritize affordable housing investments. We are at the forefront of the connection between land use, sustainability, and housing accessibility. We work with policymakers, community organizations, and industry experts to develop housing strategies that are actionable, inclusive, and equity-driven. Our planning work spans the local, regional, and state levels, helping partners navigate zoning, incentives, and regulatory frameworks to expand access to affordable housing. Our subject matter experts are frequently called upon to educate and empower communities around these critical issues.
Los Alamos County Affordable Housing Plan
SITES prepared an affordable housing plan for Los Alamos County that addressed the community’s most pressing challenge: a severe lack of housing supply that makes homes inaccessible for many low and moderate income households. Because Los Alamos has unique market conditions and limited available land, the planning process required specialized data collection and tailored analysis.
SITES evaluated existing conditions, assessed housing needs and costs, and examined local affordability measures to understand the structural constraints shaping the market. This work informed discussions with policymakers about priorities and resulted in a clear set of strategies for the County to consider.
Key recommendations included creating more income restricted housing to support households that are being priced out, encouraging new development where feasible despite land limitations, and pursuing regional approaches that link housing, workforce needs, and broader economic development.
SITES evaluated existing conditions, assessed housing needs and costs, and examined local affordability measures to understand the structural constraints shaping the market. This work informed discussions with policymakers about priorities and resulted in a clear set of strategies for the County to consider.
Key recommendations included creating more income restricted housing to support households that are being priced out, encouraging new development where feasible despite land limitations, and pursuing regional approaches that link housing, workforce needs, and broader economic development.
Los Lunas Transportation Center Master Plan
SITES prepared the Master Plan and Phase One Design for the Los Lunas Transportation Center, a district centered on the community’s Rail Runner station. The effort included land use planning, New Urbanist–style charrettes, urban design, placemaking, and construction documents. Although earlier plans for the area dated back to 2006, SITES was hired in 2013 to create a cohesive master plan with a stronger emphasis on land use and the long-term vision for a walkable Village Center.
Following the planning phase, the team advanced the urban design for the district. Key elements included a Rio Metro bus hub for Valencia County, three event and concert spaces, a central plaza, shared parking, and opportunities for mixed-use development with retail and residential uses. SITES then designed the new plaza, drop-off area, Rio Metro Hub, and connections to parking, the Rail Runner platform, and surrounding site features.
As planning progressed, the district was designated a metropolitan redevelopment area and the Village acquired additional land, prompting an update to the Master Plan in 2018. Phase One construction was completed in 2017. SITES supported the Village’s goal of creating a vibrant and walkable center with attainable housing, economic development opportunities, and increased transit use. The plan identifies strategies for multifamily housing, ground-floor retail, commercial office space, outdoor civic spaces, and multimodal circulation improvements to make the district a lively place to walk, bike, work, and live.
Following the planning phase, the team advanced the urban design for the district. Key elements included a Rio Metro bus hub for Valencia County, three event and concert spaces, a central plaza, shared parking, and opportunities for mixed-use development with retail and residential uses. SITES then designed the new plaza, drop-off area, Rio Metro Hub, and connections to parking, the Rail Runner platform, and surrounding site features.
As planning progressed, the district was designated a metropolitan redevelopment area and the Village acquired additional land, prompting an update to the Master Plan in 2018. Phase One construction was completed in 2017. SITES supported the Village’s goal of creating a vibrant and walkable center with attainable housing, economic development opportunities, and increased transit use. The plan identifies strategies for multifamily housing, ground-floor retail, commercial office space, outdoor civic spaces, and multimodal circulation improvements to make the district a lively place to walk, bike, work, and live.
Rio Arriba County and City of Española Affordable Housing Plan
SITES collaborated with Rio Arriba County and the City of Española to update their 2015 Affordable Housing Plan. The goal of the update was to better understand current and future housing needs and identify strategies to support new housing development within Española and in rural communities across the County.
A key focus of the plan is expanding the availability of diverse housing types. Both the City and County own properties that could help jumpstart affordable housing projects, particularly those eligible for Low Income Housing Tax Credits. The plan recommends prioritizing these publicly owned sites for donation or below-market sale and actively marketing them to potential developers.
Because attracting developers and navigating New Mexico’s housing programs can be challenging, the plan also recommends building internal capacity by hiring a dedicated staff member or investing in specialized training for existing staff. This would strengthen the City’s and County’s ability to work effectively with developers, nonprofits, and organizations such as Housing New Mexico.
A third priority is to complete near-term updates to land development ordinances in both jurisdictions to align with state regulations for mobile and manufactured homes. This would encourage the gradual replacement of aging units and improve overall housing quality. Over the long term, the City and County will need to fully modernize their outdated land use ordinances to support future growth and development.
A key focus of the plan is expanding the availability of diverse housing types. Both the City and County own properties that could help jumpstart affordable housing projects, particularly those eligible for Low Income Housing Tax Credits. The plan recommends prioritizing these publicly owned sites for donation or below-market sale and actively marketing them to potential developers.
Because attracting developers and navigating New Mexico’s housing programs can be challenging, the plan also recommends building internal capacity by hiring a dedicated staff member or investing in specialized training for existing staff. This would strengthen the City’s and County’s ability to work effectively with developers, nonprofits, and organizations such as Housing New Mexico.
A third priority is to complete near-term updates to land development ordinances in both jurisdictions to align with state regulations for mobile and manufactured homes. This would encourage the gradual replacement of aging units and improve overall housing quality. Over the long term, the City and County will need to fully modernize their outdated land use ordinances to support future growth and development.
Santa Fe County Affordable Housing Plan
SITES prepared an affordable housing plan for Santa Fe County to better understand local housing needs and identify strategies to expand housing opportunities across the region. The plan includes a community and housing profile, an assessment of existing and future housing needs, an evaluation of land use barriers, and recommendations for programs that support affordable housing development.
Through this process, SITES helped clarify how different types of housing needs affect the Santa Fe area and why each requires tailored and sometimes bold strategies. The team worked closely with County staff, developers, and service providers to define these needs and pinpoint the root issues shaping the local housing market.
Following a detailed review of regulatory barriers and development challenges, SITES produced a comprehensive set of immediate and long-term strategies to encourage the construction and preservation of affordable housing throughout the County.
Through this process, SITES helped clarify how different types of housing needs affect the Santa Fe area and why each requires tailored and sometimes bold strategies. The team worked closely with County staff, developers, and service providers to define these needs and pinpoint the root issues shaping the local housing market.
Following a detailed review of regulatory barriers and development challenges, SITES produced a comprehensive set of immediate and long-term strategies to encourage the construction and preservation of affordable housing throughout the County.
Village of Ruidoso Comprehensive Plan
SITES has a long-standing partnership with the Village of Ruidoso, supporting efforts that include comprehensive planning, the designation and planning of two metropolitan redevelopment areas, workforce housing initiatives, and zoning code updates. The Village’s most recent Comprehensive Plan focused on strengthening the local economy by diversifying job opportunities while continuing to support Ruidoso’s tourism-driven businesses. Residents emphasized the need for living wage employment, workforce housing, and more recreational options for youth and families. Resiliency and emergency preparedness related to wildfire and flooding were also central to the plan.
Community feedback played a major role in shaping the recommendations. SITES facilitated a large public forum and a series of focus groups during a multi day site visit, where meals were provided to encourage participation. Absentee property owners, Village staff, and local leadership all assisted in outreach efforts, resulting in exceptional attendance across all events.
Village staff were engaged throughout the process and helped refine the final recommendations, which made it easier to integrate the plan’s actions into department work programs. Since adoption, the Village has taken steady steps toward implementation, including utility reviews and upgrades, zoning code amendments, and improvements to parks and public facilities.
Community feedback played a major role in shaping the recommendations. SITES facilitated a large public forum and a series of focus groups during a multi day site visit, where meals were provided to encourage participation. Absentee property owners, Village staff, and local leadership all assisted in outreach efforts, resulting in exceptional attendance across all events.
Village staff were engaged throughout the process and helped refine the final recommendations, which made it easier to integrate the plan’s actions into department work programs. Since adoption, the Village has taken steady steps toward implementation, including utility reviews and upgrades, zoning code amendments, and improvements to parks and public facilities.
Albuquerque BioPark Projects
Albuquerque International Sunport - Sunport Roadway Landscape Improvements
Albuquerque Public Schools Learning Landscapes
Albuquerque Public Schools - Sandia High School
Animas Trail Extension and Gateway Park Master Planning and Design
Ashley Pond Park
Bachechi Open Space
Bosque Revitalization
Central Avenue Streetscape Urban Design Plan
Central New Mexico Community College Student Resource Center Plaza
Convair Road Improvement
Corcoran “Corky” Park
East Downtown Albuquerque
East Mesa Sports & Recreation Complex
El Paso Open Space Enhancements
High Desert Community
Gallup - Coal Avenue Commons
Joey Barraza & Vino Memorial Park
Las Cruces Downtown Master Plan
Las Vegas Great Blocks
Los Lunas Transportation Center Master Plan
Los Ranchos 4th Street Revitalization
Manzanita Ridge Neighborhood Park
Paso del Norte Trail Master Plan
Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint
Rio Grande Trail Master Plan
Sandia Ranch Master Plan
Tiguex Park and Albuquerque Museum District Master Plan
University Boulevard Extension
University of New Mexico Valencia Campus
University of Texas El Paso Projects
Valle De Oro Master Plan
Vistoso Trails Master Plan
Winrock Town Center
SITES brings our clients' visions to life, combining deep knowledge of the land with elegant design. Rooted in the ecology and culture of the high desert, our technical specialties include water conservation, green infrastructure, and regionally appropriate design. We create sustainable, meaningful landscapes that reflect place-based stories, honor cultural traditions, and foster long-term ecological health. Our work spans streetscapes, parks and sports complexes, gardens, civic and commercial centers, trails, and open spaces—transforming drainageways into linear parks, rooftops into gardens, wetlands into outdoor classrooms, and former farmlands into thriving habitat. Our landscapes are as resilient as they are beautiful.
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.
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.
Albuquerque International Sunport - Sunport Roadway Landscape Improvements
Every arrival and departure at the Albuquerque International Sunport begins with a journey through the landscape, and with it, a first impression of New Mexico. SITES reimagined the Sunport roadway corridor to celebrate that sense of place while advancing the City’s water conservation goals.
The design transformed what had been water-hungry turf medians into a living gateway that reflects the beauty and resilience of the high desert. Native yuccas, drought-tolerant perennials, and colorful seasonal plantings frame stone retaining walls and terraces, creating texture and movement throughout the approach. A central water-harvesting swale captures and filters stormwater, reducing maintenance needs and cutting irrigation demand by more than half.
The project also introduced expressive new features: a signature LED gateway sign welcoming travelers, and four large-scale Native design pots illuminated by solar lighting. Together, these elements shape a corridor that feels unmistakably Albuquerque, rooted in culture, defined by sustainability, and designed to leave a lasting impression of the landscape that makes this city unique.
The design transformed what had been water-hungry turf medians into a living gateway that reflects the beauty and resilience of the high desert. Native yuccas, drought-tolerant perennials, and colorful seasonal plantings frame stone retaining walls and terraces, creating texture and movement throughout the approach. A central water-harvesting swale captures and filters stormwater, reducing maintenance needs and cutting irrigation demand by more than half.
The project also introduced expressive new features: a signature LED gateway sign welcoming travelers, and four large-scale Native design pots illuminated by solar lighting. Together, these elements shape a corridor that feels unmistakably Albuquerque, rooted in culture, defined by sustainability, and designed to leave a lasting impression of the landscape that makes this city unique.
Albuquerque Public Schools Learning Landscapes
SITES partnered with Albuquerque Public Schools to design the outdoor environments for two prototype campuses, Tierra Antigua Elementary School and Tony Hillerman Middle School. These schools were developed as models for future APS facilities, and the landscapes were created to complement the prototype buildings while connecting play, fitness, education, and environment.
SITES provided full playground and landscape design for both campuses. At Tierra Antigua Elementary, the design features a distinctive custom ocotillo shade structure, an archaeological excavation area, a wildlife habitat, and an outdoor classroom surrounded by interpretive gardens that highlight Native American plants used for food, fiber, and medicine.
The Tony Hillerman Middle School "Ancient Mesa" landscape reuses existing boulders to form waffle gardens and retaining walls. A ponding area planted to attract butterflies and birds provides a living habitat supported by bat roosts and bird feeders.
Together, these learning landscapes show how thoughtful design can turn school sites into inspiring environments that promote discovery and connection to place.
SITES provided full playground and landscape design for both campuses. At Tierra Antigua Elementary, the design features a distinctive custom ocotillo shade structure, an archaeological excavation area, a wildlife habitat, and an outdoor classroom surrounded by interpretive gardens that highlight Native American plants used for food, fiber, and medicine.
The Tony Hillerman Middle School "Ancient Mesa" landscape reuses existing boulders to form waffle gardens and retaining walls. A ponding area planted to attract butterflies and birds provides a living habitat supported by bat roosts and bird feeders.
Together, these learning landscapes show how thoughtful design can turn school sites into inspiring environments that promote discovery and connection to place.
Albuquerque Public Schools - Sandia High School
SITES worked with Albuquerque Public Schools to transform the Sandia High School campus into a living laboratory where learning extends beyond the classroom. The design focused on creating outdoor environments that connect science education with the land, reflecting APS’s commitment to hands-on, sustainable learning spaces.
At the heart of the project is a large, constructed wetland, developed in close collaboration with the school’s biology faculty to serve as a year-round teaching tool. The wetland and its surrounding landscape recall the ecologies of the nearby Rio Grande, featuring three distinct aquatic zones and native plant communities that demonstrate how water, soil, and vegetation interact. The system integrates a cistern-fed irrigation network, reused concrete materials, and accessible walkways that double as outdoor learning paths.
Beyond the wetland, the campus improvements include a new sports field, a landscaped mall linking the Science Academy and Library to the rest of the campus, and shaded gathering areas that encourage social interaction and exploration. Together, these spaces frame striking views of the Sandia Mountains and create a cohesive, sustainable campus landscape where students can study, observe, and engage directly with the natural systems that shape their community.
At the heart of the project is a large, constructed wetland, developed in close collaboration with the school’s biology faculty to serve as a year-round teaching tool. The wetland and its surrounding landscape recall the ecologies of the nearby Rio Grande, featuring three distinct aquatic zones and native plant communities that demonstrate how water, soil, and vegetation interact. The system integrates a cistern-fed irrigation network, reused concrete materials, and accessible walkways that double as outdoor learning paths.
Beyond the wetland, the campus improvements include a new sports field, a landscaped mall linking the Science Academy and Library to the rest of the campus, and shaded gathering areas that encourage social interaction and exploration. Together, these spaces frame striking views of the Sandia Mountains and create a cohesive, sustainable campus landscape where students can study, observe, and engage directly with the natural systems that shape their community.
Animas Trail Extension and Gateway Park Master Planning and Design
SITES has been working with the City of Farmington to expand and enhance the Animas River Trail, a defining feature of the city’s park and recreation system. The first new trail segment extended the riverside path nearly a mile east from the Among the Waters trailhead at the Bisti Highway. This phase replaced a flood-damaged culvert crossing with a new bridge and navigated a steep bluff nearly thirty feet high overlooking the Animas River near its confluence with the San Juan River.
The second trail extension will nearly double the total length of the system, adding three miles of new path from the Riverside Nature Center east past the Farmington Museum. This reach will wind behind local businesses and across another steep embankment above the river, connecting new destinations to the broader community network.
As part of the northern trail extension, SITES also developed a Master Plan for a new regional park overlooking the river just east of the museum. The park is designed as a focal point for the community, highlighting the connection between the museum, the river, and the trail. It follows a mixed-use concept with restaurants, small shops, and a multi-use pavilion for growers markets and special events that attract both local and regional visitors.
The plan also includes a large plaza with a stage and terraced berm amphitheater seating, open lawns for play and community gatherings, and natural play areas. The design replaces the museum’s asphalt parking lot with a tree-shaded, permeable event and parking space. SITES developed multiple site concepts and refined options before finalizing the preferred master plan. Construction of the multi-use pavilion is underway, and Phase 1 of the park is anticipated to begin later in 2025.
The second trail extension will nearly double the total length of the system, adding three miles of new path from the Riverside Nature Center east past the Farmington Museum. This reach will wind behind local businesses and across another steep embankment above the river, connecting new destinations to the broader community network.
As part of the northern trail extension, SITES also developed a Master Plan for a new regional park overlooking the river just east of the museum. The park is designed as a focal point for the community, highlighting the connection between the museum, the river, and the trail. It follows a mixed-use concept with restaurants, small shops, and a multi-use pavilion for growers markets and special events that attract both local and regional visitors.
The plan also includes a large plaza with a stage and terraced berm amphitheater seating, open lawns for play and community gatherings, and natural play areas. The design replaces the museum’s asphalt parking lot with a tree-shaded, permeable event and parking space. SITES developed multiple site concepts and refined options before finalizing the preferred master plan. Construction of the multi-use pavilion is underway, and Phase 1 of the park is anticipated to begin later in 2025.
Ashley Pond Park
SITES was commissioned by Los Alamos County to develop plans for the rehabilitation of Ashley Pond Park, the community’s central gathering space and a historic resource once used by the Los Alamos Ranch School. Located within the Fuller Lodge Historic District, the park continues to play an essential role in the identity of both Los Alamos and New Mexico.
The project focused on two primary goals: creating a continuous walkway that connects the park to the Fuller Lodge Historic District, and improving the pond’s water quality, which had been affected by eutrophication. The redevelopment included rehabilitating bulkheads and sidewalks, upgrading lake engineering systems, and improving pedestrian access between the street, parking areas, and the water’s edge.
SITES also redesigned the lakeside landscape to enhance beauty and function while respecting the park’s historic character. The result is a revitalized public space that honors its past while serving as a vibrant centerpiece for the community.
The project focused on two primary goals: creating a continuous walkway that connects the park to the Fuller Lodge Historic District, and improving the pond’s water quality, which had been affected by eutrophication. The redevelopment included rehabilitating bulkheads and sidewalks, upgrading lake engineering systems, and improving pedestrian access between the street, parking areas, and the water’s edge.
SITES also redesigned the lakeside landscape to enhance beauty and function while respecting the park’s historic character. The result is a revitalized public space that honors its past while serving as a vibrant centerpiece for the community.
Atrisco Acequia Madre Master Plan
SITES served as the planning lead for the conceptual design of an enhanced open space and community destination at the headwaters of the Atrisco Acequia Madre in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The project brought together a broad team of funding partners, community organizations, and members of the public to shape a shared vision for this culturally significant landscape.
Project priorities included improving connections to nearby bosque trails and community amenities, creating opportunities for public education about the history and importance of acequias in regional development and culture, and fostering stewardship for this shared environment.
Since the plan’s adoption, SITES has continued to lead design and construction for Phase 1. Current work includes trailhead improvements, accessible trail connections, and planning for interpretive signage and public art that celebrate the environmental, social, and cultural value of acequias.
Project priorities included improving connections to nearby bosque trails and community amenities, creating opportunities for public education about the history and importance of acequias in regional development and culture, and fostering stewardship for this shared environment.
Since the plan’s adoption, SITES has continued to lead design and construction for Phase 1. Current work includes trailhead improvements, accessible trail connections, and planning for interpretive signage and public art that celebrate the environmental, social, and cultural value of acequias.
Bachechi Open Space
Located in Albuquerque’s North Valley, Bachechi Open Space Park is a 27-acre destination where everyday recreation meets deeper connections to nature and the city’s agricultural legacy. Designed by SITES, the park transforms a historic farmstead into a dynamic landscape that celebrates ecology, heritage, and community. As a gateway to the Rio Grande Valley State Park multi-use trail system, it welcomes hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, and nature lovers to explore regional landscapes, observe wildlife, and experience the spirit of the Rio Grande valley.
At its heart is a landscape that adapts the area’s agricultural past into a model of ecological richness and sustainability. A former pecan orchard remains, now entwined with a working arboretum of sycamores, junipers, and cottonwoods. Wetland depressions and xeric meadows replicate the valley’s natural rhythms, harvesting stormwater and roof runoff from the adjacent Environmental Education Building. The collected water is stored in above-ground cisterns that irrigate surrounding plantings, creating a landscape that is both beautiful and functional.
Wildlife watching stations dot the woodland, inviting visitors to pause and observe birds, toads, and riparian species, while trails wind through native plant forests and open meadows. Picnic areas, interpretive signage, and a memorial rose garden honor the site’s cultural roots, tracing back to the Bachechi family’s Italian immigrant heritage and early farming operations.
The layering of landscapes, including the orchard, arboretum, wetland boardwalk, meadow systems, and trail connections, reflects SITES’ holistic approach to design. It is a place where history, ecology, and recreation come together, and where Albuquerque’s open space legacy continues to thrive.
At its heart is a landscape that adapts the area’s agricultural past into a model of ecological richness and sustainability. A former pecan orchard remains, now entwined with a working arboretum of sycamores, junipers, and cottonwoods. Wetland depressions and xeric meadows replicate the valley’s natural rhythms, harvesting stormwater and roof runoff from the adjacent Environmental Education Building. The collected water is stored in above-ground cisterns that irrigate surrounding plantings, creating a landscape that is both beautiful and functional.
Wildlife watching stations dot the woodland, inviting visitors to pause and observe birds, toads, and riparian species, while trails wind through native plant forests and open meadows. Picnic areas, interpretive signage, and a memorial rose garden honor the site’s cultural roots, tracing back to the Bachechi family’s Italian immigrant heritage and early farming operations.
The layering of landscapes, including the orchard, arboretum, wetland boardwalk, meadow systems, and trail connections, reflects SITES’ holistic approach to design. It is a place where history, ecology, and recreation come together, and where Albuquerque’s open space legacy continues to thrive.
Bosque Revitalization
SITES, in collaboration with project engineers, led the design study for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that transformed the face of the Rio Grande in central New Mexico. This study served as the first phase of a comprehensive program to restore and revitalize the river corridor, setting the foundation for tens of millions of dollars in restoration work guided by its blueprint.
The plan aimed to restore the Bosque, the forested ecosystem along the river, to an ecologically sustainable and natural environment that provides exceptional visual, recreational, and interpretive opportunities for communities throughout the state and region.
The project involved extensive analysis, conceptual design, and public engagement to ensure both scientific integrity and community support. The Rio Grande Bosque Restoration Study was recognized nationally with the American Society of Landscape Architects National Honor Award for Planning and Analysis, celebrating its vision and enduring impact.
The plan aimed to restore the Bosque, the forested ecosystem along the river, to an ecologically sustainable and natural environment that provides exceptional visual, recreational, and interpretive opportunities for communities throughout the state and region.
The project involved extensive analysis, conceptual design, and public engagement to ensure both scientific integrity and community support. The Rio Grande Bosque Restoration Study was recognized nationally with the American Society of Landscape Architects National Honor Award for Planning and Analysis, celebrating its vision and enduring impact.
Carlsbad Arts and Cultural District Economic Development Plan
SITES worked with the City of Carlsbad to plan and design the Pearl of the Pecos Arts and Cultural District, which encompasses the city’s downtown core. The plan used an asset-based approach that built upon strong local institutions, successful small businesses, and a network of active arts organizations to strengthen Carlsbad’s creative economy.
Arts and cultural districts recognize that a vibrant creative economy includes a broad range of artistic and cultural pursuits. Through an extensive public engagement process that included individual interviews, public workshops, and collaboration with a steering committee, SITES helped establish a shared vision and economic transformation strategy for the district.
The vision defined the Pearl of the Pecos as a diverse and thriving center for arts and culture, supported by a strategy to promote and expand creative opportunities across the community. Three central themes guided the plan: creative placemaking, facility programming and activation, and optimization of community assets.
The plan outlined specific actions to help achieve this transformation and served as the final step in securing the district’s official certification as a New Mexico Arts and Cultural District.
Arts and cultural districts recognize that a vibrant creative economy includes a broad range of artistic and cultural pursuits. Through an extensive public engagement process that included individual interviews, public workshops, and collaboration with a steering committee, SITES helped establish a shared vision and economic transformation strategy for the district.
The vision defined the Pearl of the Pecos as a diverse and thriving center for arts and culture, supported by a strategy to promote and expand creative opportunities across the community. Three central themes guided the plan: creative placemaking, facility programming and activation, and optimization of community assets.
The plan outlined specific actions to help achieve this transformation and served as the final step in securing the district’s official certification as a New Mexico Arts and Cultural District.
Carrizozo Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Plan
SITES partnered with the Town of Carrizozo to develop a Downtown Master Plan and Redevelopment Strategy focused on strengthening the local economy, attracting visitors, and supporting rehabilitation along NM 54 and 12th Street. The plan built upon the earlier Historic Carrizozo Revitalization Plan completed through New Mexico MainStreet’s Frontier Communities Initiative in 2015, expanding on those ideas with new strategies for long-term growth.
The process emphasized community collaboration and the town’s growing identity as an arts-focused destination. SITES engaged residents through interactive workshops, small group discussions, and an online project website that shared meeting information and draft materials. This approach ensured participation from residents both in person and remotely.
Community engagement guided every stage of the plan. Initial workshops gathered input on local priorities, and follow-up sessions helped refine goals and identify the most promising projects. SITES ultimately developed fifteen project ideas for downtown revitalization, including streetscape improvements, a district wayfinding system, an outdoor performance space, free downtown Wi-Fi, façade upgrades, a community trail system, affordable housing opportunities, and marketing and economic development strategies.
Together, these ideas form a clear and actionable path for Carrizozo’s continued growth as a creative and welcoming community.
The process emphasized community collaboration and the town’s growing identity as an arts-focused destination. SITES engaged residents through interactive workshops, small group discussions, and an online project website that shared meeting information and draft materials. This approach ensured participation from residents both in person and remotely.
Community engagement guided every stage of the plan. Initial workshops gathered input on local priorities, and follow-up sessions helped refine goals and identify the most promising projects. SITES ultimately developed fifteen project ideas for downtown revitalization, including streetscape improvements, a district wayfinding system, an outdoor performance space, free downtown Wi-Fi, façade upgrades, a community trail system, affordable housing opportunities, and marketing and economic development strategies.
Together, these ideas form a clear and actionable path for Carrizozo’s continued growth as a creative and welcoming community.
Central Albuquerque Community Planning Area Assessment
The Central Community Planning Area project engaged thousands of residents to shape a shared vision for growth, economic vitality, and community character in the city’s historic core. Partnering closely with the City of Albuquerque, SITES helped create a focused, equitable planning process that reflected the values and needs of its diverse neighborhoods.
SITES collaborated with City staff to establish a joint scope of work, develop communication materials, and design a robust community engagement plan. The team facilitated in-person and virtual meetings, hosted neighborhood presentations, and met residents where they gather most—at local events, gathering places, and in communities that are often underrepresented in planning efforts.
To deepen the analysis, SITES also interviewed business owners, developers, economic development organizations, and social service providers, capturing a wide range of perspectives to inform the area’s future. The resulting insights helped the City identify priorities for growth, investment, and quality of life across Central Albuquerque.
SITES collaborated with City staff to establish a joint scope of work, develop communication materials, and design a robust community engagement plan. The team facilitated in-person and virtual meetings, hosted neighborhood presentations, and met residents where they gather most—at local events, gathering places, and in communities that are often underrepresented in planning efforts.
To deepen the analysis, SITES also interviewed business owners, developers, economic development organizations, and social service providers, capturing a wide range of perspectives to inform the area’s future. The resulting insights helped the City identify priorities for growth, investment, and quality of life across Central Albuquerque.
Central Avenue Streetscape Urban Design Plan
SITES led the design for the revitalization of a historic stretch of Route 66 along Central Avenue in Albuquerque. The project focused on the section extending from 8th Street in downtown to Coors Road, with additional study of the corridor continuing west to the top of Nine Mile Hill.
Working closely with the City of Albuquerque, SITES aligned the design with the community’s goal to reestablish Central Avenue as a vibrant center of neighborhood life, commerce, and cultural history. The plan emphasized the aesthetic and functional rebuilding of the corridor through a blend of urban design and landscape architecture.
Key improvements included wider pedestrian zones, enhanced transit areas, new lighting, street furniture, landscaping, and roadway upgrades. SITES also studied street edge conditions and developed guidelines for future development along the corridor, reinforcing Central Avenue’s identity as one of Albuquerque’s most significant historic and civic spaces.
Working closely with the City of Albuquerque, SITES aligned the design with the community’s goal to reestablish Central Avenue as a vibrant center of neighborhood life, commerce, and cultural history. The plan emphasized the aesthetic and functional rebuilding of the corridor through a blend of urban design and landscape architecture.
Key improvements included wider pedestrian zones, enhanced transit areas, new lighting, street furniture, landscaping, and roadway upgrades. SITES also studied street edge conditions and developed guidelines for future development along the corridor, reinforcing Central Avenue’s identity as one of Albuquerque’s most significant historic and civic spaces.
Central New Mexico Community College Student Resource Center Plaza
Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) has seen many changes across its campus near Coal Avenue and University Boulevard. One of the most visible transformations is the plaza in front of the Student Resources Center. Once an underused lawn and later an expanse of gray crushed gravel intended for ceremonial events, the site lacked comfort, shade, and meaningful everyday use.
In 2021, CNM commissioned SITES to reimagine the area as a central gathering space that would support campus life. The new plaza features a series of custom-designed radial shade structures surrounding an elevated stage, creating a flexible space for events, performances, casual gatherings, and day-to-day student use. The canopies provide shade and weather protection from above and were also designed to screen low-angle sun from the sides, significantly improving comfort throughout the day.
Sustainable water strategies were integrated into the design, with rainwater captured from the shade structures and permeable pavers, then directed into a subsurface distribution system and bioswale that irrigate shade trees throughout the plaza. The enhanced gathering space opened to students and faculty in fall 2022, offering a welcoming and functional new centerpiece for the CNM campus.
In 2021, CNM commissioned SITES to reimagine the area as a central gathering space that would support campus life. The new plaza features a series of custom-designed radial shade structures surrounding an elevated stage, creating a flexible space for events, performances, casual gatherings, and day-to-day student use. The canopies provide shade and weather protection from above and were also designed to screen low-angle sun from the sides, significantly improving comfort throughout the day.
Sustainable water strategies were integrated into the design, with rainwater captured from the shade structures and permeable pavers, then directed into a subsurface distribution system and bioswale that irrigate shade trees throughout the plaza. The enhanced gathering space opened to students and faculty in fall 2022, offering a welcoming and functional new centerpiece for the CNM campus.
Convair Road Improvement
SITES partnered with El Paso International Airport (EPIA) and the project engineering team to transform Convair Road into a vibrant and welcoming corridor for travelers arriving in or departing from El Paso. The design showcases the region’s character through low-water, high-color plantings that create an iconic first impression for visitors and a refreshed experience for residents who frequently pass through the airport campus.
As part of the project, SITES introduced a cutting-edge, low-voltage landscape lighting system that allows airport staff to easily change lighting colors and displays from a computer or smartphone. This flexibility enables EPIA to customize lighting for events, holidays, athletic teams, and other special occasions, adding a dynamic and memorable visual feature to the corridor.
Improvements along Convair Road include widened walkways, new street trees, vibrant shrubs, decorative screen walls, low-water drip irrigation, low-voltage lighting, and pedestrian rest areas equipped with site furnishings. The result is a colorful, resilient, and engaging roadway environment that enriches the overall experience of those coming, going, or simply passing by the airport.
As part of the project, SITES introduced a cutting-edge, low-voltage landscape lighting system that allows airport staff to easily change lighting colors and displays from a computer or smartphone. This flexibility enables EPIA to customize lighting for events, holidays, athletic teams, and other special occasions, adding a dynamic and memorable visual feature to the corridor.
Improvements along Convair Road include widened walkways, new street trees, vibrant shrubs, decorative screen walls, low-water drip irrigation, low-voltage lighting, and pedestrian rest areas equipped with site furnishings. The result is a colorful, resilient, and engaging roadway environment that enriches the overall experience of those coming, going, or simply passing by the airport.
Corcoran “Corky” Park
SITES led a multidisciplinary team to bring new life to Corky Park, the central park for Horizon City and an important community gathering space adjacent to the future town center. The redesigned park supports a wide range of community events — from “Music in the Park” to the annual Christmas tree lighting — and now offers a more welcoming, functional, and activity-rich environment for residents.
The project introduced a central plaza, a plaza-style skatepark, a multi-use paved trail, upgraded baseball and softball fields, a new restroom building, multiple play structures, an embankment slide, outdoor sport courts, and new site furnishings. Twenty-two mature trees were preserved, providing valuable shade in the desert climate, while new trees, shrubs, and a modern irrigation system enhance the park’s ecological resilience.
Green infrastructure techniques are integrated throughout the design, including rain gardens and stormwater harvesting systems that support landscape health and reduce water demand. Together, these improvements establish Corky Park as a vibrant, flexible, and environmentally conscious centerpiece for Horizon City.
The project introduced a central plaza, a plaza-style skatepark, a multi-use paved trail, upgraded baseball and softball fields, a new restroom building, multiple play structures, an embankment slide, outdoor sport courts, and new site furnishings. Twenty-two mature trees were preserved, providing valuable shade in the desert climate, while new trees, shrubs, and a modern irrigation system enhance the park’s ecological resilience.
Green infrastructure techniques are integrated throughout the design, including rain gardens and stormwater harvesting systems that support landscape health and reduce water demand. Together, these improvements establish Corky Park as a vibrant, flexible, and environmentally conscious centerpiece for Horizon City.
East Downtown Albuquerque
The East Downtown (EDO) Revitalization brought a fresh, walkable vision to Albuquerque’s historic corridor, blending New Urbanist principles with local character. Centered on Central Avenue, Broadway Boulevard, and the former Old Albuquerque High School campus, the project transformed an underused district into a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood that celebrates community and place.
SITES contributed to the overall master plan, collaborating closely with design partners on site composition and landscape concepts for the first phases of redevelopment. The transformation of the Old Albuquerque High School into residential lofts anchored the effort—preserving the original architecture while introducing inviting outdoor “rooms,” landscaped plazas, and flexible gathering spaces that encourage connection and activity.
Building on that success, the EDO Master Plan established design standards for the surrounding area, guiding streetscapes, parks, roundabouts, and public plazas with a focus on sustainability, accessibility, and livability. SITES also supported the development team through conceptual design, cost estimating, and on-street parking analysis to ensure a cohesive and enduring urban fabric.
SITES contributed to the overall master plan, collaborating closely with design partners on site composition and landscape concepts for the first phases of redevelopment. The transformation of the Old Albuquerque High School into residential lofts anchored the effort—preserving the original architecture while introducing inviting outdoor “rooms,” landscaped plazas, and flexible gathering spaces that encourage connection and activity.
Building on that success, the EDO Master Plan established design standards for the surrounding area, guiding streetscapes, parks, roundabouts, and public plazas with a focus on sustainability, accessibility, and livability. SITES also supported the development team through conceptual design, cost estimating, and on-street parking analysis to ensure a cohesive and enduring urban fabric.
East Lohman Development Plan
SITES led a multidisciplinary planning and urban design team to prepare a master plan for the 150-acre East Lohman Site, a key growth area on the east side of Las Cruces. Guided by a detailed market study, the plan envisions a pedestrian-oriented, environmentally sensitive mixed-use community with neighborhood centers that complement surrounding land uses. It also includes strategies and actionable steps for the City to support high-quality development aligned with the plan’s vision.
The planning process was highly collaborative, involving city staff, elected officials, business and institutional representatives, property owners, and community members. Public engagement played a central role throughout. The City first identified key stakeholders who participated in focus groups, followed by design workshops, public meetings, and public hearings attended by residents and project partners. Their feedback shaped three alternative development scenarios, each with its own programmatic emphasis and urban structure.
Each scenario explored creative pedestrian-oriented and urban design concepts. The final master plan blends the strongest and most widely supported ideas from these alternatives, resulting in a cohesive vision that earned enthusiastic approval from both elected officials and residents.
The planning process was highly collaborative, involving city staff, elected officials, business and institutional representatives, property owners, and community members. Public engagement played a central role throughout. The City first identified key stakeholders who participated in focus groups, followed by design workshops, public meetings, and public hearings attended by residents and project partners. Their feedback shaped three alternative development scenarios, each with its own programmatic emphasis and urban structure.
Each scenario explored creative pedestrian-oriented and urban design concepts. The final master plan blends the strongest and most widely supported ideas from these alternatives, resulting in a cohesive vision that earned enthusiastic approval from both elected officials and residents.
East Mesa Sports & Recreation Complex
The East Mesa Sports & Recreation Complex is an $8.5 million project located near the East Lohman Corridor in Las Cruces, New Mexico. SITES collaborated with Wilson & Co Engineers and Architects to develop the master plan and later prepare full construction documents for this ambitious community recreation destination.
The master planning process was extensive and shaped by a comprehensive Public Information Plan that engaged a wide range of stakeholders, including trail and open space advocates, sports leagues, desert habitat supporters, nearby residents concerned about views of the Organ Mountains, biking groups, and representatives from the Bureau of Land Management. Their input helped ensure the design balanced recreation needs with environmental sensitivity and community priorities.
The final complex includes two access roads carefully routed to minimize impacts on the desert ecosystem and surrounding neighborhoods. Facilities throughout the site include soccer and football fields, baseball fields, pickleball courts, trails, playgrounds, a traditional park area, concessions and restrooms, and a greenway promenade that connects all major features. An amphitheater built into a natural hillside offers unique event and gathering opportunities while preserving the area’s natural landform.
The master planning process was extensive and shaped by a comprehensive Public Information Plan that engaged a wide range of stakeholders, including trail and open space advocates, sports leagues, desert habitat supporters, nearby residents concerned about views of the Organ Mountains, biking groups, and representatives from the Bureau of Land Management. Their input helped ensure the design balanced recreation needs with environmental sensitivity and community priorities.
The final complex includes two access roads carefully routed to minimize impacts on the desert ecosystem and surrounding neighborhoods. Facilities throughout the site include soccer and football fields, baseball fields, pickleball courts, trails, playgrounds, a traditional park area, concessions and restrooms, and a greenway promenade that connects all major features. An amphitheater built into a natural hillside offers unique event and gathering opportunities while preserving the area’s natural landform.
El Paso Open Space Enhancements
SITES led a multidisciplinary team to create unique, custom designs for improvements at two stormwater dam sites in El Paso: Van Buren Dam and Louisiana Dam. The team developed creative solutions that added community amenities while maintaining the full stormwater capacity and functional requirements of both facilities.
The design introduces a connected system of hard and soft surface trails that link new plazas and gathering spaces. Project amenities include upgraded lighting, ADA-accessible routes, interpretive educational signage, outdoor workout equipment, and enhanced protection of native vegetation. Areas previously disturbed during dam operations were restored with low-water desert plantings and efficient drip irrigation.
Sustainable stormwater strategies are central to the project. Check dams slow and capture runoff before it enters the city’s broader conveyance system, allowing the water to supplement irrigation for native plants. The design also preserves existing natural areas to protect the habitat and ecological health of the Chihuahuan Desert region, ensuring these critical landscapes continue to support local flora and fauna.
The design introduces a connected system of hard and soft surface trails that link new plazas and gathering spaces. Project amenities include upgraded lighting, ADA-accessible routes, interpretive educational signage, outdoor workout equipment, and enhanced protection of native vegetation. Areas previously disturbed during dam operations were restored with low-water desert plantings and efficient drip irrigation.
Sustainable stormwater strategies are central to the project. Check dams slow and capture runoff before it enters the city’s broader conveyance system, allowing the water to supplement irrigation for native plants. The design also preserves existing natural areas to protect the habitat and ecological health of the Chihuahuan Desert region, ensuring these critical landscapes continue to support local flora and fauna.
Farmington Animas Action Plan
SITES led a multidisciplinary team to prepare an Action Plan for the revitalization of the Animas District in Farmington. Once a hub for local agriculture and later a center for energy-sector industrial uses, the area had become increasingly blighted and overlooked. With nearby assets such as the renovated Main Street, the Animas River, and the San Juan Regional Medical Center, the district presented a significant opportunity to reimagine a vibrant neighborhood with modest-scale housing and improved connections to the community.
Through extensive planning and public engagement, the team developed a master plan that reconnects the district to both its natural environment and the town center. Key strategies include integrating regional trails, parks, and educational opportunities along the Animas River; incorporating orchards and open space to honor the area’s agricultural legacy; promoting “missing middle” housing types to expand local housing options; and enhancing streets and infrastructure to better link destinations and support walkability throughout the district.
Through extensive planning and public engagement, the team developed a master plan that reconnects the district to both its natural environment and the town center. Key strategies include integrating regional trails, parks, and educational opportunities along the Animas River; incorporating orchards and open space to honor the area’s agricultural legacy; promoting “missing middle” housing types to expand local housing options; and enhancing streets and infrastructure to better link destinations and support walkability throughout the district.
Farmington Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) Plan
SITES worked with the City of Farmington to develop a Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) Master Plan that guides near-term investments in facilities, programs, and policies to advance the department’s strategic goals. The plan was informed in part by collaboration with the City’s DEI Advisory Council, ensuring a broad range of community perspectives and lived experiences were considered throughout the process.
The plan was shaped by a robust community engagement process that included meetings with staff leadership, open conversations with each division’s frontline staff, public workshops, interactive activities at community events, a project website, and a citywide survey. These efforts grounded the plan in local priorities and insights from people who use, manage, and rely on the City’s parks, recreational facilities, and cultural spaces.
The resulting master plan provides a comprehensive, community-driven roadmap for enhancing Farmington’s parks and recreation system — supporting vibrant public spaces, meaningful programming, and a clear vision for the future of PRCA services.
The plan was shaped by a robust community engagement process that included meetings with staff leadership, open conversations with each division’s frontline staff, public workshops, interactive activities at community events, a project website, and a citywide survey. These efforts grounded the plan in local priorities and insights from people who use, manage, and rely on the City’s parks, recreational facilities, and cultural spaces.
The resulting master plan provides a comprehensive, community-driven roadmap for enhancing Farmington’s parks and recreation system — supporting vibrant public spaces, meaningful programming, and a clear vision for the future of PRCA services.
Gallup - Coal Avenue Commons
The Coal Avenue Commons project, funded through the National Endowment for the Arts’ Our Town initiative and matched by local partners, brings together arts, culture, and community to support the revitalization of downtown Gallup. The project is the result of years of collaboration among the City of Gallup, McKinley County, gallupARTS, Gallup MainStreet Arts & Cultural District, the Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments, the McCune Foundation, and the state’s only Business Improvement District.
Guided by a robust and highly creative public engagement process, the team worked to develop a flexible, business-friendly event street that reflects Gallup’s cultural identity and supports everyday community life. The outcome is an innovative yet achievable design, complete with construction-ready documents, that positions Coal Avenue as a welcoming and art-focused gathering place for residents and visitors.
Coal Avenue Commons stands as a strong example of creative placemaking — a project that uses art and culture to spark lasting social and economic change in the heart of the community.
Guided by a robust and highly creative public engagement process, the team worked to develop a flexible, business-friendly event street that reflects Gallup’s cultural identity and supports everyday community life. The outcome is an innovative yet achievable design, complete with construction-ready documents, that positions Coal Avenue as a welcoming and art-focused gathering place for residents and visitors.
Coal Avenue Commons stands as a strong example of creative placemaking — a project that uses art and culture to spark lasting social and economic change in the heart of the community.
High Desert Community
High Desert is a 1,400-acre mixed-use community in the foothills of Albuquerque, developed with a strong emphasis on environmentally appropriate, naturalistic landscaping. The master plan preserves roughly 400 acres of open space and integrates sustainable design throughout the community. Over a 12-year period, SITES provided master planning, landscape design, research, and ongoing project management.
SITES designed the community’s streetscapes, drainage ponds, parks, trails, open spaces, and wildlife drinkers, all shaped around a closed-loop water system. Every drop of precipitation is harvested, filtered, and reused in the landscape. Plantings are drought-tolerant, with water captured from roads, rooftops, and other hard surfaces. Materials—including gravel, boulders, and many plants—were sourced within 50 miles, and native vegetation was preserved or enhanced using passive, gravity-fed irrigation. SITES also served on the design review committee and authored the High Desert Plant List and Landscape Revegetation Guidelines.
Two major water-focused projects were developed within the community. The High Desert Water Harvesting Project functions as an interactive storm drain distillation and retention facility, collecting water from nearby arroyos and streets. A circular, stone-clad kiva forms the ponding area, with walkways, seating, and space for a large seasonal-marker sculpture.
At Pino Pond, SITES preserved mature piñon and juniper stands while creating an interpretive trail that explains the geologic history of the Rio Grande Rift. The planting design replicates the natural ecotone progression from the summit of the Sandia Mountains down to the Rio Grande Valley, completing the project with a strong sense of ecological place.
SITES designed the community’s streetscapes, drainage ponds, parks, trails, open spaces, and wildlife drinkers, all shaped around a closed-loop water system. Every drop of precipitation is harvested, filtered, and reused in the landscape. Plantings are drought-tolerant, with water captured from roads, rooftops, and other hard surfaces. Materials—including gravel, boulders, and many plants—were sourced within 50 miles, and native vegetation was preserved or enhanced using passive, gravity-fed irrigation. SITES also served on the design review committee and authored the High Desert Plant List and Landscape Revegetation Guidelines.
Two major water-focused projects were developed within the community. The High Desert Water Harvesting Project functions as an interactive storm drain distillation and retention facility, collecting water from nearby arroyos and streets. A circular, stone-clad kiva forms the ponding area, with walkways, seating, and space for a large seasonal-marker sculpture.
At Pino Pond, SITES preserved mature piñon and juniper stands while creating an interpretive trail that explains the geologic history of the Rio Grande Rift. The planting design replicates the natural ecotone progression from the summit of the Sandia Mountains down to the Rio Grande Valley, completing the project with a strong sense of ecological place.
Joey Barraza & Vino Memorial Park
The 28-acre Joey Barraza & Vino Memorial Park on El Paso’s north side transforms a long-vacant parcel into one of the city’s most active community destinations. Formerly Northeast Regional Park, the site was renamed in 2018 to honor Border Patrol Agent Joey Barraza and his K-9 partner Vino, who both died in the line of duty. Funded through the 2012 Quality of Life Bond Program and a Texas Parks & Wildlife grant, the project reflects the City’s dedication to celebrating local heroes while expanding access to outdoor recreation.
SITES led the park’s design, connecting the new expansion to the existing park and trail system and weaving features such as the skate park and public art into a refreshed overall layout. The redeveloped park offers amenities for a wide range of users, including three championship soccer fields, the northeast’s first large-scale dog park, walking and jogging trails linked to the Paso del Norte Trail, a food truck plaza, and shaded areas for picnicking and informal gatherings.
An all-abilities playground serves as the park’s central feature, with interactive equipment, protective surfacing, and generous shade canopies. New plazas, seating areas, water fountains, and thoughtfully landscaped parking improve comfort and ease of use throughout the site.
Since reopening in 2023, Joey Barraza & Vino Memorial Park has become a lively hub for families, athletes, dog owners, and neighbors, offering a modern public space shaped around activity, connection, and community pride.
SITES led the park’s design, connecting the new expansion to the existing park and trail system and weaving features such as the skate park and public art into a refreshed overall layout. The redeveloped park offers amenities for a wide range of users, including three championship soccer fields, the northeast’s first large-scale dog park, walking and jogging trails linked to the Paso del Norte Trail, a food truck plaza, and shaded areas for picnicking and informal gatherings.
An all-abilities playground serves as the park’s central feature, with interactive equipment, protective surfacing, and generous shade canopies. New plazas, seating areas, water fountains, and thoughtfully landscaped parking improve comfort and ease of use throughout the site.
Since reopening in 2023, Joey Barraza & Vino Memorial Park has become a lively hub for families, athletes, dog owners, and neighbors, offering a modern public space shaped around activity, connection, and community pride.
Las Cruces Downtown Master Plan
The City of Las Cruces hired SITES to develop a vision and planning strategy for revitalizing its downtown. A central focus of this effort was the reopening of Main Street to restore it as a major north–south arterial that would bring energy, activity, and thousands of daily travelers back into the heart of the city. The broader redevelopment strategy called for a new civic plaza and government buildings, stronger support for specialty retail and service providers, and a renewed emphasis on downtown as a center for arts and culture.
SITES served as the lead consultant for the plan’s catalyst project, the Main Street Plaza. The plaza is designed as a flexible, curbless street with shade structures, lit bollards, and special paving. It can be closed to vehicles for festivals, performances, markets, and other community events. During the design process, computer generated visual simulations helped residents and decision makers picture how a more active and welcoming downtown could look and feel.
SITES also designed distinctive landscape improvements for two key civic buildings in the district: Las Cruces City Hall and the Las Cruces Federal Courthouse. Together, these projects support a long-term vision for a lively, connected, and people-focused downtown.
SITES served as the lead consultant for the plan’s catalyst project, the Main Street Plaza. The plaza is designed as a flexible, curbless street with shade structures, lit bollards, and special paving. It can be closed to vehicles for festivals, performances, markets, and other community events. During the design process, computer generated visual simulations helped residents and decision makers picture how a more active and welcoming downtown could look and feel.
SITES also designed distinctive landscape improvements for two key civic buildings in the district: Las Cruces City Hall and the Las Cruces Federal Courthouse. Together, these projects support a long-term vision for a lively, connected, and people-focused downtown.
Las Vegas Great Blocks
SITES was commissioned by New Mexico MainStreet to provide planning and design services for the Great Blocks Program in Las Vegas’ Historic Railroad District. The project focused on three blocks along Lincoln and Railroad Avenues, an area rich in history and positioned for renewed activity.
The redesign of Railroad Avenue creates a two-lane street with parallel parking and generous sidewalks on both sides. The wider east side accommodates both a walkway and a multi-use path for bicycles and pedestrians, which is planned to extend south and connect with the Galleta River Trail. A small sidewalk plaza and a mid-block crossing at the historic Castaneda Hotel improve pedestrian access and strengthen the sense of arrival at this landmark.
East Lincoln Street is envisioned as a flexible corridor that functions as a traditional street most days and transforms into a pedestrian plaza during events. Trees line the space, supported by permeable paving and subsurface wicking systems. The street grade is slightly elevated with low mountable curbs, creating a more comfortable walking environment. Gateways at the Grand Avenue intersection mark the entrance to the district, while steel railroad rails embedded in the roadway pay homage to the site’s past. Throughout the project area, sidewalk extensions and improved crossings make pedestrian travel safer and more intuitive.
The redesign of Railroad Avenue creates a two-lane street with parallel parking and generous sidewalks on both sides. The wider east side accommodates both a walkway and a multi-use path for bicycles and pedestrians, which is planned to extend south and connect with the Galleta River Trail. A small sidewalk plaza and a mid-block crossing at the historic Castaneda Hotel improve pedestrian access and strengthen the sense of arrival at this landmark.
East Lincoln Street is envisioned as a flexible corridor that functions as a traditional street most days and transforms into a pedestrian plaza during events. Trees line the space, supported by permeable paving and subsurface wicking systems. The street grade is slightly elevated with low mountable curbs, creating a more comfortable walking environment. Gateways at the Grand Avenue intersection mark the entrance to the district, while steel railroad rails embedded in the roadway pay homage to the site’s past. Throughout the project area, sidewalk extensions and improved crossings make pedestrian travel safer and more intuitive.
Los Alamos County Affordable Housing Plan
SITES prepared an affordable housing plan for Los Alamos County that addressed the community’s most pressing challenge: a severe lack of housing supply that makes homes inaccessible for many low and moderate income households. Because Los Alamos has unique market conditions and limited available land, the planning process required specialized data collection and tailored analysis.
SITES evaluated existing conditions, assessed housing needs and costs, and examined local affordability measures to understand the structural constraints shaping the market. This work informed discussions with policymakers about priorities and resulted in a clear set of strategies for the County to consider.
Key recommendations included creating more income restricted housing to support households that are being priced out, encouraging new development where feasible despite land limitations, and pursuing regional approaches that link housing, workforce needs, and broader economic development.
SITES evaluated existing conditions, assessed housing needs and costs, and examined local affordability measures to understand the structural constraints shaping the market. This work informed discussions with policymakers about priorities and resulted in a clear set of strategies for the County to consider.
Key recommendations included creating more income restricted housing to support households that are being priced out, encouraging new development where feasible despite land limitations, and pursuing regional approaches that link housing, workforce needs, and broader economic development.
Los Lunas Transportation Center Master Plan
SITES prepared the Master Plan and Phase One Design for the Los Lunas Transportation Center, a district centered on the community’s Rail Runner station. The effort included land use planning, New Urbanist–style charrettes, urban design, placemaking, and construction documents. Although earlier plans for the area dated back to 2006, SITES was hired in 2013 to create a cohesive master plan with a stronger emphasis on land use and the long-term vision for a walkable Village Center.
Following the planning phase, the team advanced the urban design for the district. Key elements included a Rio Metro bus hub for Valencia County, three event and concert spaces, a central plaza, shared parking, and opportunities for mixed-use development with retail and residential uses. SITES then designed the new plaza, drop-off area, Rio Metro Hub, and connections to parking, the Rail Runner platform, and surrounding site features.
As planning progressed, the district was designated a metropolitan redevelopment area and the Village acquired additional land, prompting an update to the Master Plan in 2018. Phase One construction was completed in 2017. SITES supported the Village’s goal of creating a vibrant and walkable center with attainable housing, economic development opportunities, and increased transit use. The plan identifies strategies for multifamily housing, ground-floor retail, commercial office space, outdoor civic spaces, and multimodal circulation improvements to make the district a lively place to walk, bike, work, and live.
Following the planning phase, the team advanced the urban design for the district. Key elements included a Rio Metro bus hub for Valencia County, three event and concert spaces, a central plaza, shared parking, and opportunities for mixed-use development with retail and residential uses. SITES then designed the new plaza, drop-off area, Rio Metro Hub, and connections to parking, the Rail Runner platform, and surrounding site features.
As planning progressed, the district was designated a metropolitan redevelopment area and the Village acquired additional land, prompting an update to the Master Plan in 2018. Phase One construction was completed in 2017. SITES supported the Village’s goal of creating a vibrant and walkable center with attainable housing, economic development opportunities, and increased transit use. The plan identifies strategies for multifamily housing, ground-floor retail, commercial office space, outdoor civic spaces, and multimodal circulation improvements to make the district a lively place to walk, bike, work, and live.
Los Ranchos 4th Street Revitalization
SITES partnered with the Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque to transform a neglected remnant of the original Route 66 into a landmark roadway and civic corridor for this semi-rural community in the Middle Rio Grande Valley. The Fourth Street Revitalization Project celebrates the village’s agricultural heritage and open-space character while creating a vibrant Main Street that serves as an economic and cultural hub for residents and visitors alike.
The design reflects the community’s history and identity through locally inspired materials, agricultural plantings, and subtle design motifs. A complete-street approach guided the reimagining of the corridor, which now features a widened brick and pigmented concrete sidewalk, layered landscaping, and a pedestrian promenade with plazas, shaded seating areas, and new lighting. Custom street furniture and thoughtfully integrated public spaces reinforce Fourth Street as a welcoming, walkable destination.
Major improvements included a lane reduction to create a calmer, more people-oriented street, new custom bus stops, gateway signage to announce arrival into the village, beacon-controlled pedestrian crossings, and a new public parking lot to support local businesses and events. Together, these elements redefine Fourth Street as a signature community space that honors Los Ranchos’ rural roots while supporting its future as a thriving local center.
The design reflects the community’s history and identity through locally inspired materials, agricultural plantings, and subtle design motifs. A complete-street approach guided the reimagining of the corridor, which now features a widened brick and pigmented concrete sidewalk, layered landscaping, and a pedestrian promenade with plazas, shaded seating areas, and new lighting. Custom street furniture and thoughtfully integrated public spaces reinforce Fourth Street as a welcoming, walkable destination.
Major improvements included a lane reduction to create a calmer, more people-oriented street, new custom bus stops, gateway signage to announce arrival into the village, beacon-controlled pedestrian crossings, and a new public parking lot to support local businesses and events. Together, these elements redefine Fourth Street as a signature community space that honors Los Ranchos’ rural roots while supporting its future as a thriving local center.
Manzanita Ridge Neighborhood Park
SITES, Ashley Vance Engineering, and S&F Land Services partnered with Bend Parks and Recreation District to support the full public engagement and design process for Manzanita Ridge Park. Early outreach revealed a clear divide in community preferences. Some residents wanted a natural open space park, while others preferred a more traditional neighborhood park with areas to play, picnic, and gather.
To respond to the Shevlin West Neighborhood and surrounding communities, the team facilitated a strong engagement process that included online surveys, pop up events, and public meetings. Three concept options were developed and refined based on public and stakeholder input, leading to a final preferred design. The team then carried the plan through construction documents and provided construction oversight.
Manzanita Ridge Park recently opened, bringing the community’s shared vision to life. The design blends traditional park features such as a grassy lawn, playground, and nature play area with preserved high-desert open space that includes trails and native landscape. The result is a park that reflects the community’s varied needs and offers spaces for recreation, gathering, and quiet enjoyment of the natural environment.
To respond to the Shevlin West Neighborhood and surrounding communities, the team facilitated a strong engagement process that included online surveys, pop up events, and public meetings. Three concept options were developed and refined based on public and stakeholder input, leading to a final preferred design. The team then carried the plan through construction documents and provided construction oversight.
Manzanita Ridge Park recently opened, bringing the community’s shared vision to life. The design blends traditional park features such as a grassy lawn, playground, and nature play area with preserved high-desert open space that includes trails and native landscape. The result is a park that reflects the community’s varied needs and offers spaces for recreation, gathering, and quiet enjoyment of the natural environment.
Mesilla Comprehensive Plan
The Town of Mesilla is a historic village and well-loved tourist destination just outside Las Cruces. Its distinctive architecture, cultural traditions, and agricultural landscapes create a strong sense of place that residents are eager to preserve, even as the surrounding region grows and changes. The comprehensive plan was developed to help the community maintain its rural identity while preparing for future needs.
The plan’s guiding principles focus on honoring Mesilla’s history and culture, protecting its agricultural lands and greenbelt, improving community health, and promoting thoughtful growth in strategic areas. It also emphasizes diversifying the local economy by building on both the town’s heritage and its outdoor recreation opportunities. The plan reflects the ideas and priorities of community members, leadership, staff, and regional partners who contributed throughout the planning process.
The plan’s guiding principles focus on honoring Mesilla’s history and culture, protecting its agricultural lands and greenbelt, improving community health, and promoting thoughtful growth in strategic areas. It also emphasizes diversifying the local economy by building on both the town’s heritage and its outdoor recreation opportunities. The plan reflects the ideas and priorities of community members, leadership, staff, and regional partners who contributed throughout the planning process.
New Mexico Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Update
SITES partnered with New Mexico State Parks, the Economic Development Department’s Outdoor Recreation Division, and the National Park Service to assess outdoor recreation resources, identify statewide trends, and complete an inventory of trails across New Mexico. The Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department, State Parks Division initiated the 2021–2026 update of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), which directs the State’s allocation from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
SITES led the planning process and was responsible for analyzing national and statewide recreation trends, summarizing the economic impact of outdoor recreation in New Mexico, and creating a comprehensive resource inventory with associated maps. The team also examined environmental opportunities and threats, explored the role of outdoor education, and evaluated ongoing issues related to access and equity in recreation opportunities.
The plan was developed through extensive engagement that included leaders from agencies, non-profits, and communities, as well as residents and recreationalists from across the state. The resulting recommendations outline long-term strategies for outdoor recreation planning and identify needs and opportunities for establishing recreation and historic trails in every region of New Mexico.
SITES led the planning process and was responsible for analyzing national and statewide recreation trends, summarizing the economic impact of outdoor recreation in New Mexico, and creating a comprehensive resource inventory with associated maps. The team also examined environmental opportunities and threats, explored the role of outdoor education, and evaluated ongoing issues related to access and equity in recreation opportunities.
The plan was developed through extensive engagement that included leaders from agencies, non-profits, and communities, as well as residents and recreationalists from across the state. The resulting recommendations outline long-term strategies for outdoor recreation planning and identify needs and opportunities for establishing recreation and historic trails in every region of New Mexico.
Nob Hill & Highland Sector Development Plan
SITES was selected to update a 20-year-old Sector Development Plan and expand the planning area for the Nob Hill and Highland neighborhoods in Albuquerque. The area includes established residential blocks and a commercial corridor along Central Avenue that ranges from some of the city’s most active businesses to sections in need of reinvestment.
The planning process was highly participatory. SITES facilitated twelve public meetings, workshops, and open houses to gather input from residents, business owners, and community organizations. The team also worked closely with property owners to refine zoning and design regulations and guided the plan through adoption by City Council.
The updated plan addresses long standing neighborhood concerns by protecting residential areas, supporting reinvestment along Central Avenue, creating appropriate transitions between commercial activity and single-family homes, accommodating mixed uses, and improving conditions for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders. Many of the standards developed for this corridor were later incorporated into the City of Albuquerque’s Integrated Development Ordinance.
The planning process was highly participatory. SITES facilitated twelve public meetings, workshops, and open houses to gather input from residents, business owners, and community organizations. The team also worked closely with property owners to refine zoning and design regulations and guided the plan through adoption by City Council.
The updated plan addresses long standing neighborhood concerns by protecting residential areas, supporting reinvestment along Central Avenue, creating appropriate transitions between commercial activity and single-family homes, accommodating mixed uses, and improving conditions for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders. Many of the standards developed for this corridor were later incorporated into the City of Albuquerque’s Integrated Development Ordinance.
Paso del Norte Trail Master Plan
SITES led the comprehensive master planning effort for the Paso del Norte Trail in El Paso, a regional initiative rooted in the Paso del Norte Health Foundation’s mission to promote health, active living, and community well-being. The vision for the trail is ambitious. Once complete, the 60-plus-mile route will link the New Mexico–Texas border to the southeastern corner of El Paso County and connect to major destinations such as UTEP, Franklin Mountains Open Space, Mission Valley communities, and a proposed loop through Juarez. It also serves as the Texas continuation of New Mexico’s planned Rio Grande Trail.
The master plan highlights the history, culture, and landscape of the region. Themes draw from El Camino Real, the agricultural heritage of the Rio Grande, and the area’s mission sites, expressed through design elements and interpretive opportunities. The system incorporates a range of trail types that include paved multi-use paths, unpaved ditch and levee roads, and urban segments with enhanced sidewalks and bikeways.
As implementation progresses, SITES continues to support several engineering firms with the design of key trail segments, including the Playa Drain Trail and the Border Highway Trail. These projects introduce comfortable pedestrian routes with benches, trash receptacles, pet waste stations, and new desert-adapted landscaping to provide shade and ecological value. By activating underused corridors and improving access across neighborhoods, the Paso del Norte Trail advances regional connectivity and encourages healthier, more active communities.
The master plan highlights the history, culture, and landscape of the region. Themes draw from El Camino Real, the agricultural heritage of the Rio Grande, and the area’s mission sites, expressed through design elements and interpretive opportunities. The system incorporates a range of trail types that include paved multi-use paths, unpaved ditch and levee roads, and urban segments with enhanced sidewalks and bikeways.
As implementation progresses, SITES continues to support several engineering firms with the design of key trail segments, including the Playa Drain Trail and the Border Highway Trail. These projects introduce comfortable pedestrian routes with benches, trash receptacles, pet waste stations, and new desert-adapted landscaping to provide shade and ecological value. By activating underused corridors and improving access across neighborhoods, the Paso del Norte Trail advances regional connectivity and encourages healthier, more active communities.
Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint
The Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint is the first overlook along the Historic Columbia River Highway as visitors head east from Portland, offering one of the most iconic views of the Columbia River Gorge. SITES worked with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to develop a comprehensive plan for revitalizing this celebrated site, balancing visitor access, resource protection, and the preservation of its historic character.
The design addressed priorities identified in the Columbia River Gorge Management Units Plan and incorporated standards from the Scenic Resources Implementation Handbook, the HCRH Trail Design Guidelines, and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Management Plan. It focused on enhancing the visitor experience by separating vehicles from pedestrian viewing areas and introducing an ADA-accessible route across the site’s steep slopes.
Other proposed improvements included expanded but discreetly screened parking, new restroom facilities, additional seating and gathering areas, and amenities for cyclists and trail users entering the Gorge. The design also emphasized environmental stewardship through invasive species removal, native plant restoration, and preservation of historic monuments.
Public engagement was a key part of the process. SITES supported Oregon Parks and Recreation Department-led outreach through opportunities-and-constraints analyses, schematic concepts, and refined designs shaped by community feedback. The resulting plan provides a clear, context-sensitive vision for improving accessibility and sustainability at one of the Pacific Northwest’s most remarkable viewpoints.
The design addressed priorities identified in the Columbia River Gorge Management Units Plan and incorporated standards from the Scenic Resources Implementation Handbook, the HCRH Trail Design Guidelines, and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Management Plan. It focused on enhancing the visitor experience by separating vehicles from pedestrian viewing areas and introducing an ADA-accessible route across the site’s steep slopes.
Other proposed improvements included expanded but discreetly screened parking, new restroom facilities, additional seating and gathering areas, and amenities for cyclists and trail users entering the Gorge. The design also emphasized environmental stewardship through invasive species removal, native plant restoration, and preservation of historic monuments.
Public engagement was a key part of the process. SITES supported Oregon Parks and Recreation Department-led outreach through opportunities-and-constraints analyses, schematic concepts, and refined designs shaped by community feedback. The resulting plan provides a clear, context-sensitive vision for improving accessibility and sustainability at one of the Pacific Northwest’s most remarkable viewpoints.
Questa Comprehensive Plan
The Village of Questa hired SITES in spring 2024 to lead its Comprehensive Plan Update. The planning and engagement process focused on understanding the community’s unique character, its social and organizational dynamics, and the creative resources and funding opportunities that could help achieve local goals.
The team spent time on the ground participating in community events, touring facilities with staff, and meeting with Village leadership and local businesses. Engagement efforts centered on meeting people where they are, from conversations at the Farmers Market to door-to-door visits with business owners. Based on this outreach, SITES developed draft goals and strategies, which were brought back to the community for review and refinement in August 2024.
The updated plan was unanimously adopted by the Village Council, establishing a shared path forward for Questa’s future.
The team spent time on the ground participating in community events, touring facilities with staff, and meeting with Village leadership and local businesses. Engagement efforts centered on meeting people where they are, from conversations at the Farmers Market to door-to-door visits with business owners. Based on this outreach, SITES developed draft goals and strategies, which were brought back to the community for review and refinement in August 2024.
The updated plan was unanimously adopted by the Village Council, establishing a shared path forward for Questa’s future.
Rio Arriba County and City of Española Affordable Housing Plan
SITES collaborated with Rio Arriba County and the City of Española to update their 2015 Affordable Housing Plan. The goal of the update was to better understand current and future housing needs and identify strategies to support new housing development within Española and in rural communities across the County.
A key focus of the plan is expanding the availability of diverse housing types. Both the City and County own properties that could help jumpstart affordable housing projects, particularly those eligible for Low Income Housing Tax Credits. The plan recommends prioritizing these publicly owned sites for donation or below-market sale and actively marketing them to potential developers.
Because attracting developers and navigating New Mexico’s housing programs can be challenging, the plan also recommends building internal capacity by hiring a dedicated staff member or investing in specialized training for existing staff. This would strengthen the City’s and County’s ability to work effectively with developers, nonprofits, and organizations such as Housing New Mexico.
A third priority is to complete near-term updates to land development ordinances in both jurisdictions to align with state regulations for mobile and manufactured homes. This would encourage the gradual replacement of aging units and improve overall housing quality. Over the long term, the City and County will need to fully modernize their outdated land use ordinances to support future growth and development.
A key focus of the plan is expanding the availability of diverse housing types. Both the City and County own properties that could help jumpstart affordable housing projects, particularly those eligible for Low Income Housing Tax Credits. The plan recommends prioritizing these publicly owned sites for donation or below-market sale and actively marketing them to potential developers.
Because attracting developers and navigating New Mexico’s housing programs can be challenging, the plan also recommends building internal capacity by hiring a dedicated staff member or investing in specialized training for existing staff. This would strengthen the City’s and County’s ability to work effectively with developers, nonprofits, and organizations such as Housing New Mexico.
A third priority is to complete near-term updates to land development ordinances in both jurisdictions to align with state regulations for mobile and manufactured homes. This would encourage the gradual replacement of aging units and improve overall housing quality. Over the long term, the City and County will need to fully modernize their outdated land use ordinances to support future growth and development.
Rio Grande Trail Master Plan
SITES partnered with Alta Planning + Design to help the New Mexico State Parks Division advance the long-envisioned Rio Grande Trail. Spanning more than 500 miles from Colorado to Texas, the master plan builds on earlier work—including previous efforts by SITES—that identified potential trail alignments through the southern two thirds of the state.
For this phase, the team developed a numeric ranking system to evaluate and refine those earlier alignment options and explored new alternatives through the northern third of New Mexico. The result is a recommended border-to-border route that links Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.
The master plan also provides guidance on trail types suited to the state’s varied landscapes, user needs and accommodations, implementation strategies, and long-term management approaches to support a continuous, high quality recreational corridor.
For this phase, the team developed a numeric ranking system to evaluate and refine those earlier alignment options and explored new alternatives through the northern third of New Mexico. The result is a recommended border-to-border route that links Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.
The master plan also provides guidance on trail types suited to the state’s varied landscapes, user needs and accommodations, implementation strategies, and long-term management approaches to support a continuous, high quality recreational corridor.
Sandia Ranch Master Plan
Bernalillo County hired SITES to prepare a Master Plan and schematic design for the 20-acre Sandia Ranch property in Albuquerque. This agriculturally focused project involved extensive public engagement and close coordination with the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District and the American Sign Language Academy. SITES led the site analysis, programming, master planning, and preparation of construction documents.
The program for Sandia Ranch reflects the site’s agricultural heritage and community-oriented mission. Planned features include zones for animal husbandry and farming with field seed plots, orchards, and vineyards. Trails follow the historic Camino Real and the acequia that runs through the property. Additional elements include 4H and County Extension Service offices and grounds, an arena with bleachers and pens, a small neighborhood park and playground, master gardening areas, a rodeo arena, and an interpretive kiosk for El Camino.
The resulting plan creates a multifunctional, educational, and agricultural landscape that serves both local residents and regional partners.
The program for Sandia Ranch reflects the site’s agricultural heritage and community-oriented mission. Planned features include zones for animal husbandry and farming with field seed plots, orchards, and vineyards. Trails follow the historic Camino Real and the acequia that runs through the property. Additional elements include 4H and County Extension Service offices and grounds, an arena with bleachers and pens, a small neighborhood park and playground, master gardening areas, a rodeo arena, and an interpretive kiosk for El Camino.
The resulting plan creates a multifunctional, educational, and agricultural landscape that serves both local residents and regional partners.
Santa Fe County Affordable Housing Plan
SITES prepared an affordable housing plan for Santa Fe County to better understand local housing needs and identify strategies to expand housing opportunities across the region. The plan includes a community and housing profile, an assessment of existing and future housing needs, an evaluation of land use barriers, and recommendations for programs that support affordable housing development.
Through this process, SITES helped clarify how different types of housing needs affect the Santa Fe area and why each requires tailored and sometimes bold strategies. The team worked closely with County staff, developers, and service providers to define these needs and pinpoint the root issues shaping the local housing market.
Following a detailed review of regulatory barriers and development challenges, SITES produced a comprehensive set of immediate and long-term strategies to encourage the construction and preservation of affordable housing throughout the County.
Through this process, SITES helped clarify how different types of housing needs affect the Santa Fe area and why each requires tailored and sometimes bold strategies. The team worked closely with County staff, developers, and service providers to define these needs and pinpoint the root issues shaping the local housing market.
Following a detailed review of regulatory barriers and development challenges, SITES produced a comprehensive set of immediate and long-term strategies to encourage the construction and preservation of affordable housing throughout the County.
Tiguex Park and Albuquerque Museum District Master Plan
Tiguex Park has been a cornerstone of Albuquerque’s public life since the 1970s, connecting the city’s historic Old Town Plaza and shopping district to its three major museums. More than a neighborhood park, it serves as a civic gathering space, a recreational hub, and a cultural gateway for residents and visitors alike.
Working with the City of Albuquerque, SITES developed a master plan to reinvigorate this beloved urban park while strengthening its role within the broader Museum District. The plan addressed updated program needs, improved drainage and water conservation, enhanced safety and visibility, and ensured accessibility for all users. A detailed analysis of surrounding land uses and urban connections informed the park’s redesign, creating stronger visual and physical links between Tiguex Park, the museums, and the adjacent neighborhoods.
To reinforce a sense of place, SITES introduced a cohesive system of aesthetic elements, including new pathways, gathering spaces, and signature gateway monuments built with local materials and inspired by historic building forms. Combined with sustainable landscape design and native plantings, these improvements reestablished Tiguex Park as both a neighborhood anchor and a destination within the city’s cultural core.
Working with the City of Albuquerque, SITES developed a master plan to reinvigorate this beloved urban park while strengthening its role within the broader Museum District. The plan addressed updated program needs, improved drainage and water conservation, enhanced safety and visibility, and ensured accessibility for all users. A detailed analysis of surrounding land uses and urban connections informed the park’s redesign, creating stronger visual and physical links between Tiguex Park, the museums, and the adjacent neighborhoods.
To reinforce a sense of place, SITES introduced a cohesive system of aesthetic elements, including new pathways, gathering spaces, and signature gateway monuments built with local materials and inspired by historic building forms. Combined with sustainable landscape design and native plantings, these improvements reestablished Tiguex Park as both a neighborhood anchor and a destination within the city’s cultural core.
University Area Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Plan
SITES worked with the City of Albuquerque to establish and plan the South University of New Mexico (UNM) Metropolitan Redevelopment Area, a neighborhood with strong assets but ongoing challenges related to business retention and long-term residency. The area faced high commercial vacancy rates, deteriorating structures, and public safety concerns, contributing to visible blight and economic decline.
In close collaboration with City staff, SITES led the designation process for the redevelopment area, identifying opportunities for reinvestment that respected the surrounding historic and residential neighborhoods. Following designation, the team developed a Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Plan that outlined key catalytic strategies and recommended public and private investments to strengthen the area’s economic health.
Through an inclusive engagement process, SITES worked with businesses, residents, property owners, developers, and representatives from major institutions to shape the plan. A central outcome was the creation of a stakeholder group dedicated to advocating for business improvement and ongoing community investment, ensuring the plan’s momentum continues beyond adoption.
In close collaboration with City staff, SITES led the designation process for the redevelopment area, identifying opportunities for reinvestment that respected the surrounding historic and residential neighborhoods. Following designation, the team developed a Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Plan that outlined key catalytic strategies and recommended public and private investments to strengthen the area’s economic health.
Through an inclusive engagement process, SITES worked with businesses, residents, property owners, developers, and representatives from major institutions to shape the plan. A central outcome was the creation of a stakeholder group dedicated to advocating for business improvement and ongoing community investment, ensuring the plan’s momentum continues beyond adoption.
University Boulevard Extension
This project began with developing aesthetic concepts for two roadway bridges in Mesa del Sol, followed by full landscape design from initial concepts through construction documentation. The visual themes were drawn from the surrounding environment, incorporating the sun and wind patterns of the nearby Tijeras Arroyo and referencing local wildlife through the prominent snake motifs featured on the bridges.
The landscape design uses xeric plantings suited to the high-desert conditions. Grasses are placed near the snake elements, while native shrubs and trees line the cobble swales that run throughout the corridor. Water harvesting strategies supplement the non-potable irrigation system, with curb cuts directing stormwater into median swales to take advantage of natural elevation changes.
Given the site’s location and dramatic topography, the project also required significant reclamation and erosion control. The result is a roadway and bridge aesthetic that is rooted in place, environmentally responsive, and aligned with the character of Mesa del Sol.
The landscape design uses xeric plantings suited to the high-desert conditions. Grasses are placed near the snake elements, while native shrubs and trees line the cobble swales that run throughout the corridor. Water harvesting strategies supplement the non-potable irrigation system, with curb cuts directing stormwater into median swales to take advantage of natural elevation changes.
Given the site’s location and dramatic topography, the project also required significant reclamation and erosion control. The result is a roadway and bridge aesthetic that is rooted in place, environmentally responsive, and aligned with the character of Mesa del Sol.
University of New Mexico Valencia Campus
Studies consistently show that attractive, functional outdoor spaces play an important role in student recruitment and campus life. With this in mind, UNM set out to modernize its Valencia Campus and create a more engaging environment for students, faculty, and visitors. SITES collaborated with Vigil & Associates under an on-call contract to design a series of improvements to both indoor and outdoor campus spaces.
The work focused on enhancing the common areas between buildings and strengthening pedestrian connections throughout the campus core. A key element of the project was creating a direct and welcoming connection to a new high use parking area at the southwest corner of campus serving the Health Sciences and Adult Education buildings. The team also designed a shaded, multi-level study plaza and a new access point on the west side of the Student Center.
Additional improvements included a landscape renovation of the main parking lot to create a more appealing campus entry. To protect the mature shade trees in this area, UNM agreed to remove several parking spaces, allowing for expanded planting beds that preserve tree root zones and reduce future damage to curbs and paving.
The work focused on enhancing the common areas between buildings and strengthening pedestrian connections throughout the campus core. A key element of the project was creating a direct and welcoming connection to a new high use parking area at the southwest corner of campus serving the Health Sciences and Adult Education buildings. The team also designed a shaded, multi-level study plaza and a new access point on the west side of the Student Center.
Additional improvements included a landscape renovation of the main parking lot to create a more appealing campus entry. To protect the mature shade trees in this area, UNM agreed to remove several parking spaces, allowing for expanded planting beds that preserve tree root zones and reduce future damage to curbs and paving.
University of Texas El Paso Projects
SITES has partnered with the University of Texas at El Paso on several projects that enhance outdoor spaces across campus, support student life, and reflect UTEP’s distinctive setting.
For the Engineering Building addition, SITES designed a sunken outdoor plaza that features decorative, functional steps and dual-purpose planters that double as amphitheater seating for small events. Custom gabion benches, artistically designed trash receptacles, turf grass, flowering trees, and low water plantings create a lively, shaded environment and strengthen pedestrian connections between buildings.
Phase II improvements at the UTEP Swimming and Fitness Facility focused on outdoor recreation areas. The work included relocating a sand volleyball court, updating the ropes challenge course, and creating a new multi-purpose synthetic turf field on a steeply sloped site that required extensive contouring. SITES collaborated closely with UTEP staff, user groups, and design partners to ensure the final layout met a wide range of needs.
Additional upgrades included aesthetic improvements to the Student Union Building landscape and student plaza, where native and xeric plantings provide year-round color while preserving the campus’s mature shade trees.
For UTEP’s centennial celebration, SITES designed five unique outdoor areas across campus. Each concept was supported by 3D models, sketches, and presentation boards that illustrated how the new spaces would support academic and social life.
SITES also enhanced the outdoor areas around the former Psychology Building, preserving major shade trees and adding native plantings, patios, and deck areas that offer flexible spaces for study, gathering, and campus events.
For the Engineering Building addition, SITES designed a sunken outdoor plaza that features decorative, functional steps and dual-purpose planters that double as amphitheater seating for small events. Custom gabion benches, artistically designed trash receptacles, turf grass, flowering trees, and low water plantings create a lively, shaded environment and strengthen pedestrian connections between buildings.
Phase II improvements at the UTEP Swimming and Fitness Facility focused on outdoor recreation areas. The work included relocating a sand volleyball court, updating the ropes challenge course, and creating a new multi-purpose synthetic turf field on a steeply sloped site that required extensive contouring. SITES collaborated closely with UTEP staff, user groups, and design partners to ensure the final layout met a wide range of needs.
Additional upgrades included aesthetic improvements to the Student Union Building landscape and student plaza, where native and xeric plantings provide year-round color while preserving the campus’s mature shade trees.
For UTEP’s centennial celebration, SITES designed five unique outdoor areas across campus. Each concept was supported by 3D models, sketches, and presentation boards that illustrated how the new spaces would support academic and social life.
SITES also enhanced the outdoor areas around the former Psychology Building, preserving major shade trees and adding native plantings, patios, and deck areas that offer flexible spaces for study, gathering, and campus events.
Valle De Oro Master Plan
SITES partnered with Wilson & Co. and a multi-agency team—including the Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo & Flood Control Authority (AMAFCA), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), and Ducks Unlimited—to craft the master plan for the nation’s first purpose-designed urban wildlife refuge in Albuquerque’s South Valley.
Located on a former dairy farm just south of Albuquerque, the 570-acre refuge has been transformed through thoughtful planning into a landscape that supports both wildlife and community. From the outset the project employed an extensive public-interaction strategy involving workshops, charrettes, field trips, public gatherings, and meetings with local and national agencies.
The plan’s vision included restoring habitat for waterfowl and other avian and land-based species, creating six wetland or management units, organizing the site around fields informed by its agricultural history, and weaving in both pedestrian and equestrian trails. Botany study labs, children’s learning exhibits, and a salt-grass habitat emphasize education and ecology. Innovative stormwater features serve as both functional art and infrastructure that cleanses runoff before it reaches the Rio Grande.
At its core, this project reflects SITES’ commitment to designing landscapes that serve people, habitat, and process in equal measure. Valle de Oro stands as a model of how ecological restoration, public engagement, and community access can converge in an urban setting, offering memorable outdoor experiences and meaningful stewardship opportunities for decades to come.
Located on a former dairy farm just south of Albuquerque, the 570-acre refuge has been transformed through thoughtful planning into a landscape that supports both wildlife and community. From the outset the project employed an extensive public-interaction strategy involving workshops, charrettes, field trips, public gatherings, and meetings with local and national agencies.
The plan’s vision included restoring habitat for waterfowl and other avian and land-based species, creating six wetland or management units, organizing the site around fields informed by its agricultural history, and weaving in both pedestrian and equestrian trails. Botany study labs, children’s learning exhibits, and a salt-grass habitat emphasize education and ecology. Innovative stormwater features serve as both functional art and infrastructure that cleanses runoff before it reaches the Rio Grande.
At its core, this project reflects SITES’ commitment to designing landscapes that serve people, habitat, and process in equal measure. Valle de Oro stands as a model of how ecological restoration, public engagement, and community access can converge in an urban setting, offering memorable outdoor experiences and meaningful stewardship opportunities for decades to come.
Village of Ruidoso Comprehensive Plan
SITES has a long-standing partnership with the Village of Ruidoso, supporting efforts that include comprehensive planning, the designation and planning of two metropolitan redevelopment areas, workforce housing initiatives, and zoning code updates. The Village’s most recent Comprehensive Plan focused on strengthening the local economy by diversifying job opportunities while continuing to support Ruidoso’s tourism-driven businesses. Residents emphasized the need for living wage employment, workforce housing, and more recreational options for youth and families. Resiliency and emergency preparedness related to wildfire and flooding were also central to the plan.
Community feedback played a major role in shaping the recommendations. SITES facilitated a large public forum and a series of focus groups during a multi day site visit, where meals were provided to encourage participation. Absentee property owners, Village staff, and local leadership all assisted in outreach efforts, resulting in exceptional attendance across all events.
Village staff were engaged throughout the process and helped refine the final recommendations, which made it easier to integrate the plan’s actions into department work programs. Since adoption, the Village has taken steady steps toward implementation, including utility reviews and upgrades, zoning code amendments, and improvements to parks and public facilities.
Community feedback played a major role in shaping the recommendations. SITES facilitated a large public forum and a series of focus groups during a multi day site visit, where meals were provided to encourage participation. Absentee property owners, Village staff, and local leadership all assisted in outreach efforts, resulting in exceptional attendance across all events.
Village staff were engaged throughout the process and helped refine the final recommendations, which made it easier to integrate the plan’s actions into department work programs. Since adoption, the Village has taken steady steps toward implementation, including utility reviews and upgrades, zoning code amendments, and improvements to parks and public facilities.
Vistoso Trails Master Plan
SITES prepared the Vistoso Trails Master Plan for the Town of Oro Valley, creating a community-focused plan that honored the area’s natural resources while aligning with the Town’s vision for high quality open space. The project required a careful balance between community amenities and long-term conservation goals, and SITES delivered a plan that met both.
Public engagement was central to the process. To make participation easy and effective, SITES held meetings in locations similar to the site being planned, allowing residents to experience comparable environments as they provided input. Community feedback shaped key elements of the plan, including nature play areas, an amphitheater for classes and star gazing, and safer pedestrian connections for children walking from the nearby school. SITES also worked with the school to designate parking areas that make it convenient for families to access the trail system.
The project area winds through an affluent residential community with ongoing development, a pattern similar to the High Desert Community Plan. That experience helped SITES tailor a design that fits seamlessly within its surroundings while remaining true to the project’s conservation goals.
Partnerships were essential to the plan’s success. SITES worked closely with The Conservation Fund, the Arizona chapter of Audubon, and local archaeologists to ensure that preservation remained at the center of the design. The plan protects wildlife habitat, enhances bird-friendly open spaces, and safeguards on-site petroglyphs, integrating conservation into every aspect of the trail system.
Public engagement was central to the process. To make participation easy and effective, SITES held meetings in locations similar to the site being planned, allowing residents to experience comparable environments as they provided input. Community feedback shaped key elements of the plan, including nature play areas, an amphitheater for classes and star gazing, and safer pedestrian connections for children walking from the nearby school. SITES also worked with the school to designate parking areas that make it convenient for families to access the trail system.
The project area winds through an affluent residential community with ongoing development, a pattern similar to the High Desert Community Plan. That experience helped SITES tailor a design that fits seamlessly within its surroundings while remaining true to the project’s conservation goals.
Partnerships were essential to the plan’s success. SITES worked closely with The Conservation Fund, the Arizona chapter of Audubon, and local archaeologists to ensure that preservation remained at the center of the design. The plan protects wildlife habitat, enhances bird-friendly open spaces, and safeguards on-site petroglyphs, integrating conservation into every aspect of the trail system.
Winrock Town Center
The former Winrock Mall in Albuquerque has been transformed into a vibrant mixed-use town center, anchored by a new central park created in partnership with the City of Albuquerque. SITES served as the landscape architect for the park, working with PACE Advanced Water Engineering and Modulus to design a dynamic public space that supports recreation, gathering, and year-round activity.
The park features an event amphitheater and lawn, a large playground with both nature based and traditional play areas, a lake framed by bridges and restaurant patios, and a network of plazas and soft and hard surface trails. Additional elements include an educational kiosk, an orchard and entry plaza near the Dillard’s entrance, and a curving pathway system that guides visitors to spaces along the water’s edge as well as quieter, more contemplative areas set back from the lake.
Native planting was selected to support water conservation and climate resilience. A small high tech water treatment system supplies reclaimed water to the lake, which is then reused for park irrigation. Interpretive signage throughout the site shares the story of the park’s design and reinforces the community’s long term sustainability goals.
The park features an event amphitheater and lawn, a large playground with both nature based and traditional play areas, a lake framed by bridges and restaurant patios, and a network of plazas and soft and hard surface trails. Additional elements include an educational kiosk, an orchard and entry plaza near the Dillard’s entrance, and a curving pathway system that guides visitors to spaces along the water’s edge as well as quieter, more contemplative areas set back from the lake.
Native planting was selected to support water conservation and climate resilience. A small high tech water treatment system supplies reclaimed water to the lake, which is then reused for park irrigation. Interpretive signage throughout the site shares the story of the park’s design and reinforces the community’s long term sustainability goals.
bottom of page