By Hannah Wallace
Alpine Achievers Initiative collaborates with many partners throughout the San Luis Valley and beyond in order to support youth in different ways. Get to know our partners through our Partner Spotlights!
The Rio Grande Farm Park (RGFP) is a community space that is comprised of agricultural land, outdoor play and the historic Rio Grande River. It started out as an idea: a community group from all walks of life came together with a vision of having a place to gather in a beautiful and healthy setting, preserve alluvial soil, grow food, and learn about farming and the environment, and share resources.
The group was able to purchase a plot of land with the help of the Trust for Public Land and the San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition. Today, the Farm Park is open to the public. The surrounding community can use it for recreation, nature play and to see what food is growing around us! Trails around the park allow you to get a dose of nature by walking along the Rio Grande, with lovely views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains year round.
This year, we partnered with the Rio Grande Farm Park to assist in providing environmental education programming to youth. One of our AmeriCorps members, Hannah, serves with the RGFP full time. She recently facilitated a 6 week Farm Education program for the students of our new Homeschool Program. Weekly, students visit the park and spend time exploring what food grows at the park, playing outside and learning about the environment.
The Homeschool Program is offered year long for families who homeschool their children. It is designed to bring in outside facilitators to allow students to learn from people and organizations in their communities.
A few weeks ago, the park opened its Nature Play area which is designed for kids, by kids. It is comprised of materials found in nature that allow for a more organic, creative experience on the playground. Kids can visit this park anytime with their families to get a feel of the wild, all within Alamosa city limits. Learn more about this program here.
The Farm Park is hoping to develop a new greenhouse and environmental education building. There are big things in store for the Farm Park! Learn More about the Rio Grande Farm Park here.
