Tag Archives: El Paso Parks and Recreation

Monday evening, City of El Paso officials announced the appointment of Ben Fyffe as the City’s Director of Cultural Affairs and Recreation.

Fyffe, a 19-year City of El Paso employee, will lead and oversee the Museums and Cultural Affairs Department (MCAD) and the Parks and Recreation Department.

“We are extremely confident in the leadership that Ben has shown while serving in both capacities,” said Deputy City Manager of Quality of Life Tracey Jerome. “Not only is he an incredible asset for our City and community, but Ben is an example of the City’s organizational commitment to strong succession implementation and the development of talent from within the organization.”

Fyffe began his work with the City as an intern at the El Paso Museum of Art while studying at the University of Texas at Austin. Fyffe began his professional career with the City in 2001 as an Assistant Head of Education at the El Paso Museum of Art.

He has served in a variety of positions throughout his time with the City. In 2015, the City promoted Fyffe to Assistant Director of Museums and Cultural Affairs that included overseeing the public art program and assisting with operations of the City’s three museums.

In addition to serving as Assistant Director of Museums and Cultural Affairs, the City named Fyffe to serve as Interim Director of the Parks and Recreation Department in February of this year.

Fyffe is a dedicated advocate for the arts and the community. He has worked tirelessly to improve El Paso’s quality of life and place. During his professional service with the City, Fyffe has secured $3.4 million in grants, donations and sponsorships to expand program budgets and has effectively driven work on several cross-functional teams.

Fyffe has a Bachelor’s in Art History from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Texas at El Paso where he is a member of the National Honor Society for Public Administration.

Fyffe begins his new role as Director of Cultural Affairs and Recreation immediately.

On Sunday, June 14, El Paso Animal Services and its community partners will be offering free vaccinations and microchips to hundreds of pets at the department’s second-ever Drive-Thru Vaccination/Microchip Clinic sponsored by PetSmart Charities.

“This unique large-scale clinic aims at making it easy for owners to keep their pets healthy and safe,” officials shared.

The clinic will be held at the Socorro Activities Complex, in the parking lot.  The only entrance to the clinic will be located south of the SAC, through Southview Drive.

This is a first-come, first-served event and services are limited to the first 500 pets. Owners will need to keep their pets in the vehicle, all dogs must be on a leash and cats must be placed in a secure carrier while visiting the drive-thru clinic.

Dogs will receive a parvo/distemper vaccination, while cats will receive a feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia (FVRCP) vaccination, both will also be given a microchip and a gallon-bag of food per pet.

No other vaccinations will be available at this drive-thru event.

Temperatures are expected to rise later in the day, so attendees are encouraged to bring plenty of water for their pets and themselves to stay cool.

All attendees must wear a mask or face covering.

WHAT:            Drive-Thru Vaccination/Microchip ClinicServices available on a first-come, first-served basis.

WHEN:            8 a.m. to noon on Sunday, June 14, 2020

WHERE:         Socorro Activities Complex (1300 Joe Battle Blvd.) Cars must enter off Southview Dr. and Paseo Del Este Blvd.

The 13th Annual Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta at the Tom Mays section of Franklin Mountains State Park is planned for Saturday, September 30, from 9am to 3pm.

The free family event helps people connect with the great outdoors of the Franklin Mountains and is sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department with the help of volunteers from the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition. Organizes say the annual event attracts hundreds of people to the desert mountain park in Northwest El Paso.

The outdoor venue celebrates the natural wonders of the Chihuahuan Desert and Franklin Mountains State Park. Local environmental education groups will be on hand to offer free demonstrations, guided tours, guest speakers and informational booths designed to introduce the curious to the wonders of our fascinating desert.

Schedule of Events at the Entertainment Stage Area – End of the Loop Road next to the Exhibitor Tent Area

· 9:00am-9:15am- National Anthem
· 9:30am-10:00am- Cheerleading
· 10:00am-10:15am Zoo Animal Encounter
· 10:30am-11:00am- Story Telling(Marylyn Guida)
· 11:10am-11:35am- Martial Arts Demonstration
· 11:45am-12:15pm-Keyboarding/Piano
· 12:30pm-1:00pm- Rondalla Estudiantil
· 1:15pm-1:45pm- Ballet Folklorico (Champion Studio)
· 2:00pm-2:30pm- Belly Dancers

More on Geosciences Education Activities – Mini-field trips will run from 9am to 3pm, and will last only 30 minutes, with one exception. The short time means you will not be walking far. The geosciences do not only about understand the earth at your feet, but the vistas in the distance, and the sky above us.

Many of the following field trips may include a walk to a nearby place of higher elevation to get a better view. Hikers are encouraged to bring binoculars for the picturesque hike.

All mini-trips with the exception of trips 4 and 6 meet near the Restrooms at the End of the Loop Road to the right of the main stage and exhibit area.

Trip 1- 9:45 am to 10:45 am – Agave Loop for hikers interested in connecting to Mundy’s Gap.  See Park Map for Location.

Trip 2-10:30 am to 12:00 pm- Aztec Cave Trail is a 1.2 mile out and back trail that features a cave and is good for all skill levels.  See Park Map for Location.

Trip 3 – 11:00 am- 11:30pm- Short walk to elevation change.  Meet at the Trail head at the end of the loop road.

Trip 4 -11:00 am – 12:30pm –  Underground Copper Mine Tour, a maximum number of 15 participants with flashlights or headlamps. Meet at the Cottonwood Spring Parking Area. The hike is 1 mile round trip uphill over a rocky trail. Bring sturdy shoes, sunscreen, water, and a working flashlight. We will explore an underground tunnel which was part of an unsuccessful mineral entrepreneurial activity. Check out the blue grotto! See Park Map for Location.

Trip 5 -1:00 pm – 2:30pm –  Underground Copper Mine Tour, a maximum number of 15 participants with flashlights or headlamps. Meet at the Cottonwood Spring Parking Area. The hike is 1 mile round trip uphill over a rocky trail. Bring sturdy shoes, sunscreen, water, and a working flashlight. We will explore an underground tunnel which was part of an unsuccessful mineral entrepreneurial activity. Check out the blue grotto! See Park Map for Location.

Trip 6 -1:30 pm to 2:30 pm Upper Sunset Trail; is one of the shorter ones (1.3 miles) and offered some great views of the valley below.  Meet at the restrooms at the end of the loop road.

Trip 7- 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm Short Hike.  No elevation change. Meet at the Trail head at the end of the loop road.

Exhibitors attending the festival this year include New Mexico Farm, Ranch and Heritage Museum, Chamizal National Memorial, Hueco Tanks State Park, Aerial Tramway, Franklin Mountains State Park, Mexican Gray Wolf,  El Paso Parks and Recreation, Tech H2O, El Paso Zoo, International Boundary and Water Commission, Sierra Club, Women’s Voting, Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition, Greater Big Bend Coalition, Frontera Land Alliance, Texas Master Naturalist, UTEP, El Paso Fire Department, Sustainability and Resilience Office, Audubon Society, and Friends of the Rio Bosque.

Special thanks to our volunteers from the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition, Franklin Mountains State Park, City of El Paso Parks and Rec, El Paso Zoo, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).

For more information contact Franklin Mountains State Park at (915) 566-6441 or contact CDEC Committee Chair Carlos Rodriguez at 915-240-3311.