Pland Collaborative’s involvement in South Martineztown dates back to 1973, with the design and construction of the original park in one of Albuquerque’s most historic neighborhoods. 

The park’s construction was an important part of urban revitalization efforts in the early 1970s that transformed a deteriorating residential area that was declared “a blighted slum” and slated for condemnation into a prosperous and vital community at the center of Albuquerque’s urban core. 

Most recently, Pland has served as lead design consultant for the second and third phases of a three-phase renovation effort at the park and adjacent Longfellow Elementary School. The current improvements are focused on highlighting the park’s location along the original route of the congressionally designated 404-mile El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail. 

Pland worked with the City of Albuquerque, Albuquerque Public Schools, Citizens Information Committee of Martineztown, and National Park Service to turn the park into an important educational resource for school children, tourists, and community residents through the inclusion of interpretive signage, public art, and historical design elements. Improvements also include playground renovations, water-use reduction, and a large public plaza.