DEMING — When work began on a city water conservation project in 2018, the plan was to create an outdoor recreation area for residents and nearby communities. Built on five acres of land that was once the town’s landfill on North Country Club Road, Trees Lake fulfills this town plan by providing a 25 million gallon fishing spot and a potential haven for waterfowl.
The lake sits below the “Pit Park” of Voies and was the site of the Great Outdoor Adventure on Saturday for families and their children. Organized by the City of Deming and sponsored by various wilderness, conservation and outdoor recreation organizations, the event included free fishing for children accompanied by parents and several outdoor activities, including free lunch. Field-to-Table”.
“It’s just awesome,” Ray Trejo said of Saturday’s entry. Trejo is the Southern Outreach Coordinator for the New Mexico Wildlife Federation. “We didn’t have opportunities like this in Deming growing up. It is special for our children to experience fun outdoor activities and learn a few things about conservation, game and fish.
Trejo helped bring the one-day attraction to Deming, along with town officials. Deming Mayor Benny Jasso was present and volunteered his time to help prepare lunch.
It was estimated that nearly 300 family members attended the event while children enjoyed free fishing, a beginner and intermediate archery course, educational tables set up by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fishing and a mobile fishing tackle store. The kids were signed up to fish and received a free rod and reel with all the amenities for ready-to-fish action.
“Last year we donated 150 fishing rods,” Trejo said. “This year, we should exceed that number.” Trejo also said there were lots of prizes and other goodies for the kids.
Jesse Deubel, executive director of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation was at the event for the first time. “I wasn’t available the last time this event happened, but it’s fantastic,” Deubel told Headlight. “It gets kids outdoors and away from video game controllers. They can fish and enjoy what the outdoors has to offer.
Pamela Hand hiked the Trees Lake area with her two sons, Grayson Dalton, 4, and Deacon Dalton, 2. She had planned to attend the event when she heard about it from PlaySharity, Deming’s interactive children’s museum and resource library.
“It’s a wonderful place for kids,” Hand said – Dalton nodded in agreement.
Sarah Candelaria, program director for Nature Niños of New Mexico, helped organize the “From Field to Table” event during Saturday’s Big Outdoor Adventure. “We educate young people about sustainability, nutrition and fun activities in an outdoor environment,” Candelaria said.
Nature Niños is proud to reach out to underserved New Mexico children and their families, providing them with opportunities to seek out public lands while encouraging them to connect with nature and the great outdoors of New Mexico.
“This event in Deming is a great way for Nature Niños to be a part of it,” Candelaria told Headlight.
Zenovia Garcia, 10, enjoyed a day of fishing off the shores of Trees Lake. It was truly a family affair as mom, grandparents, aunts and cousins all have casting lines.
The Bataan Elementary School fourth-grade student said she learned to fish from her “dad” (grandfather). Alexandra Garcia, Zenovia’s mother, said she learned about Saturday’s event on Facebook. “…I thought it would be a good time to bring some of our family out and enjoy each other,” she said.
Zenovia didn’t bite her line during the day, but said she worked hard at it until she cast her line and lost it in the lake. Zenovia and her family had a good laugh and she went back to the fishing log for a new line.
Zenovia’s aunt, Anjelita Gonzales, fished with her son, Nakai, 5, and was also waiting for some action on the fishing line.
Construction at Trees Lake began in 2018 on a five-acre stretch as part of a water conservation project funded by voter-approved bonds. The project was completed in the summer of 2019 and has been a recreational attraction ever since. The land offers the Lanes “Pit” park area, a 3D dinosaur attraction, an all-inclusive playground, an amphitheater and an event pavilion.
Bill Armendariz can be reached at 575-546-2611 (leave a message) or [email protected]
