Kearns Field Makeover

A Project Years in the Making Honors History While Supporting Outdoor Recreation

  • Current and former state legislators joined the Village of Milan government as they crowded together to cut the ribbon formally opening the improved Kearns Field. The local park is being outfitted to be better for recreation and give local children a safe place to play. Diego Lopez - CC
    Current and former state legislators joined the Village of Milan government as they crowded together to cut the ribbon formally opening the improved Kearns Field. The local park is being outfitted to be better for recreation and give local children a safe place to play. Diego Lopez - CC
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    MILAN, N.M. –

    The Village of Milan held a ribbon cutting to officially reopen Kearns Park, which has been closed for construction as the village developed the park to be safer for the children who play there. Work at the park is not yet done, the village has plans to update the lighting for youth baseball games, and netting is going to be placed that will protect the residential buildings around the baseball field.

    The Kearns Field Project was one of the first major projects undertaken by Mayor Felix Gonzales’ administration. When he was first elected in 2018, Mayor Gonzales made a commitment to public safety and public recreation. With the help of his board at the time – made up of Helen Dayan, Vivian Brumbelow, Ellen Baca, and Christopher Archuleta – the project was started.

    Mayor Gonzales touted the accomplishments he has managed to accompliscomplete in his first term, explaining that with help from NM State Representative Eliseo “Lee” Alcon, Rep. Harry Garcia, and NM Senator Clemente Sanchez, and Sen. George Munoz, the village was able to get new cruisers for the Milan Police Department and get closer to finishing several ongoing park projects across the village.

    Mayor Gonzales thanked a series of people for the hard work that led to the completion of this project. Specifically, Gonzales thanked Village Clerk Denise Baca and her assistant Monica Sandoval for being the “backbone” of the project. He touted the work of Village Manager Linda Cooke, thank her for being attentive to the needs of the village.

    A plaque was put up inside the park to honor those who worked so diligently to se this project through to completion. The plaque honors Mayor Gonzales; Trustees Helen Dayan, Vivian Brumbelow, Ellen Baca, Christopher Archuleta, and Rosanne Lopez; Rep. Eliseo “Lee” Alcon, Rep. Harry Garcia, and Rep. Patty Lundstrom; State Senator George Munoz; Former Senator Clemente Sanchez; and former Village Managers Paul Pena, and Sarah Austin; Founding Fathers of the Milan Parks; and many other residents who had set the stage for the park to be constructed.

    In his speech, Mayor Gonzales remembered the history of Milan. He said that Milan had the strongest youth baseball teams, and that it scared other teams who had to play against Milan. Gonzales said Milan is in a position to bring the strength of youth teams back.

    Not leaving out the most important support coaches had, Mayor Gonzales remembered the wives and one husband who supported the efforts of the recreational parks. Not every person who helped to organize the Milan youth baseball leagues were men, Shada Gallegos and her husband were “instrumental” in supporting the efforts of Milan recreation, because Gallegos “Knows her baseball,” Mayor Gonzales said.

    Efforts are ongoing to see the success of Milan and its parks, the team at the village government said that they are committed to see the success of the village.