The campground we have stayed at these past 2 weeks is quite small and so we began the first day looking for a place to walk in another location. We found a park called the Pecos River Beach Park, one of the nicest parks we have ever been in. We so much enjoyed, every day we were here, walking in the park. All along the park are concrete benches and plaques honoring people of the community. About mid-way in this park is a dam, an old dam that at one time was used for hydro-electric power. At the other end of the park is another dam so the level and the flow of the water remains pretty constant unless they have a lot of rain (seldom happens in this desert area). The paved walk is about 6 miles long and runs along both sides of the river. The park is well maintained and at one point they have developed a beach area for swimming and wading. We see motor boats and jet skis on the river frequently. Carlsbad Cruise Lines has short scenic tours which travel up river through a prestigious area with beautiful large homes on both sides of the river. They also rent canoes and pedal boats. We rode on a very plush pontoon boat and enjoyed seeing these homes. The one that most caught our eye is still being built. It is in the finishing stages. An extremely large home, it is said to be owned by a retired couple new to the area. We were told it cost more than a million dollars just to tear down the old house and prepare for the new one and the total cost will be over $5 million when it is completed. Check it out!!!
Also in the park are a skate park, a very nice golf course and club house, a band shell, shelters and picnic areas, and a huge playground funded through donations. The old power plant has been refurbished and is now a rec center. An old carousel was converted to a very nice building which is now used for meetings and conferences. Across the street is a ball diamond and tennis and racquetball courts and another area that is in the development stages. One other very nice addition to the park is a very large playground funded through private and public donations and grants at a price of $250,000. It really is quite nice and elaborate.
