Families from Albuquerque and surrounding areas gathered at Wilson Park and Pool for the Family Fun Pool Party, an event held as part of the Summer of Nonviolence initiative. The gathering provided free pool access, swimsuits for children in need through Joy Junction, food trucks, lawn games, and music from a live DJ.
Mayor Tim Keller attended the event and highlighted its importance to the city. “Events like this show the heart of our city, families coming together, kids enjoying themselves, and neighborhoods building lasting connections,” said Mayor Keller. “When we invest in moments of joy and community, we’re helping Albuquerque grow stronger and more united.”
The event was sponsored by several organizations including Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS), Bernalillo County, City of Albuquerque Parks & Recreation, Bernalillo County Parks & Recreation, Bernalillo County Commission Vice Chair Adriann Barboa (D3), and City Councilor Nichole Rogers. Organizers aimed to promote collaboration in violence prevention.
During the pool party, some families completed Summer of Nonviolence survey questionnaires to request help from ACS. The department followed up with these families to connect them with local service providers.
Jeffery Bustamante, ACS Community Outreach Manager, commented on the significance of such gatherings: “Community is the foundation of safety. When we offer young people and families chances to connect in meaningful, joyful ways, we’re not just preventing violence, we’re building a better future.”
Bernalillo County Commission Vice Chair Adriann Barboa (D3) also emphasized the impact on overlooked communities: “Seeing so many families cooling off, laughing, and playing reminds us why this work matters. We are investing in healing, joy, and safety, especially in parts of our city that have historically been overlooked.”
Albuquerque City Councilor Nichole Rogers added: “It was a beautiful day in District 6! I love creating spaces where our youth and families can come together in safety, joy, and connection and one thing is for sure; we need to create more of these opportunities for our youth.”
The Family Fun Pool Party is one event within the larger Summer of Nonviolence campaign. This initiative continues throughout the season with free activities for youth and families designed to strengthen community bonds and encourage nonviolent behaviors.
Albuquerque Community Safety operates as a third branch of public safety for the city. Its responders handle calls related to behavioral health or substance use that do not involve criminal or medical emergencies.
Bernalillo County covers over 1,160 square miles as New Mexico’s most populous county with more than 676,000 residents. It provides services across Albuquerque as well as Los Ranchos and Tijeras.
