Open Space employees and volunteers build all natural hut for kids in honor of Earth Day

Apr. 20—As the midday sun sat high in the sky, Open Space employees and volunteers made their way across a field at the Open Space Visitor Center on Albuquerque's West Side.

The group trudged through the dried brush toward two orange buckets, each filled with branches of willow wood.

The willow had been collected from an area field over several days for a specific purpose: to build an all-natural hut for children to gather in and use during field trips to the center that sits by the bosque.

"We can definitely use this hut as an opportunity for a learning space or outdoor classroom setup for students and any family groups visiting this beautiful space," said Nick Bachand, an employee with the city of Albuquerque's Open Space Department. "(People) can go and hang out in the hut and admire the views of the Sandia Mountains and have lunch — I think that's the intention."

Bachand, along with the volunteers, grabbed the buckets and took them to a nearby spot in the field that was marked by tiny pink flags. One by one, sticks of willow were pulled from the bucket and pushed into the ground next to the flags placed in designated spots, eventually forming a circle.

From there, they started connecting pieces of the circle from one side to the other with more pieces of wood, tying the parts together with string. The group worked diligently, strategically placing each piece of wood until the hut's form became visible.

For Peter Callen, who since 2018 has been managing the field where the activity was taking place, the hut's construction was the fulfillment of a dream he's had for a long time.

"I've always wanted to have a little space out here for kids to play in or to hang out in," he said. "I think (the hut) will be really nice."

Callen helped put the finishing touches on the newly built structure before asking the group to file in for a photo. Much to everyone's surprise, they fit perfectly, which gave them a great view to admire their handiwork.

Renee Robillard, an Open Space volunteer for the past 10 years, had a smile on her face as she walked away. She was excited for the first group of kids to take advantage of the new space.

"I think (the kids) will love it," she said. "We get a lot of school groups in the summer and other groups, and they love to walk around and do activities, and now they'll have the hut."

Building the hut was one of several activities Open Space employees and volunteers did Saturday during an Earth Day celebration at the visitor center. They also planted trees and plants that will benefit local pollinators.

Gino Gutierrez is the good news reporter at the Albuquerque Journal. If you have an idea for a good news story, you can contact him at goodnews@abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3940.