I live in Santa Fe District 3 and I disapprove of the development Homewise has proposed for the South Meadows open space. I know it doesn’t seem like much compared to the sprawling public lots in other areas of Santa Fe, but for those of us who live nearby, there is beauty and potential in this place. I am writing to explain why this area is extremely valuable to our community.
As many already know, District 3 has the least developed parking areas in the city. This fact forces residents of District 3 to travel miles to access amenities like tennis courts, basketball courts, public swimming pools, and the city’s famous pickleball courts. But it also means that the residents who live in the Airport / Agua Fría corridor really appreciate the open spaces of South Meadows, even when there are no amenities.
I understand the need for affordable housing in Santa Fe and really appreciate Homewise’s mission and vision. My concern is that in this particular area where most homes are already affordable and where density takes precedence over recreational and natural spaces, this is not an “out of my backyard” situation. There will literally be no accessible public land in this area if the proposal is approved by Homewise. Homewise offers a 2 hectare fenced park that is controlled by a community of owners and is suitable for continuous use by a school. Unfortunately, this pales in comparison to the existing 22 hectare open space, even in its current undeveloped state. Nor does it compare to the original Santa Fe County parking plans that community leaders developed years ago.
Finally, the city has expressed an interest in understanding the increasing violence on the south side and looking for solutions to combat it. It has been pointed out several times that there isn’t much on the south side to keep residents busy. I know the Southside Teen Center will be ready next year and I am grateful that the teenagers will have a point of contact. But I have to point out that we neglected family unit in our plans for the south side. These teenagers will go home to families – families who want to experience nature and joy, appreciation for community, and accessible recreation as a whole. Prioritizing hangouts and opening up the south side for many of the beautiful festivals, fairs, and other events that make Santa Fe the city we love would help with that.
Sasha McGhee is a resident of Santa Fe in the south who believes and can be in the beauty of District 3.
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