City of Grants Highlights Safety, Upgrades at Candelaria Sports Complex

  • Children climb a playground rope structure beyond the outfield fence during a Little League game in Grants, N.M., on Thursday, July 9, 2026. While the action unfolds on the field, siblings and friends enjoy the evening at the park. PHOTOS by Jay Langford, AJJ Student Jounralist
    Children climb a playground rope structure beyond the outfield fence during a Little League game in Grants, N.M., on Thursday, July 9, 2026. While the action unfolds on the field, siblings and friends enjoy the evening at the park. PHOTOS by Jay Langford, AJJ Student Jounralist
  • A Little League player’s orange helmet displays decals honoring his mom along with the U.S. and New Mexico flags during a game in Grants, N.M., on Thursday, July 9, 2026. Personalized gear and stickers line the helmet PHOTOS by Jay Langford, AJJ Student Jounralist
    A Little League player’s orange helmet displays decals honoring his mom along with the U.S. and New Mexico flags during a game in Grants, N.M., on Thursday, July 9, 2026. Personalized gear and stickers line the helmet PHOTOS by Jay Langford, AJJ Student Jounralist

    GRANTS, N.M. – The Candelaria Sports Complex is open and active again, with Grants Recreation baseball games underway as city leaders point to recent improvements and a broader push to upgrade parks across Grants.

    During a July 14 visit to the complex with Grants Mayor Erik Garcia, he pointed to upgraded fencing and said new lighting has helped make the park safer and cleaner for the community.

    Garcia said improving the Candelaria Sports Complex was one of his priorities.

    As a father, Garcia said, he pays close attention to the condition of local recreation facilities and the state of play equipment used by children and families. He said the city has been working not only at Candelaria, but across Grants, to improve park conditions and expand recreation opportunities.

    The update comes after the complex drew public attention earlier this year when all fields were temporarily closed for emergency safety maintenance. At the time, practices were canceled and games were postponed for several days while the issue was addressed.

    Now, with the complex back open and youth baseball continuing, Garcia said the improvements are part of a larger effort to make Grants’ public spaces more usable, more attractive and safer for families.

    The mayor also tied the work at Candelaria to a bigger vision for recreation in Grants.

    Garcia said that vision includes future park improvements at Mirabal Park, located near Gabaldon and Breece, as well as continued work at other city facilities. He said the new City of Grants budget will include funding for park improvements, signaling that recreation upgrades will remain part of the city’s planning moving forward.

    The City of Grants had already been identified for outside support at the sports complex. In December 2025, the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration announced recreation grant funding for the City of Grants for the Candelaria Sports Complex, specifically tied to lighting and fencing improvements.

    That earlier state award and the work now visible at the complex reflect the city’s effort to strengthen one of its central recreation sites.

    For Grants families, the result is a park that is not only back in use, but one the city says is being improved with safety, cleanliness and longterm recreation access in mind.