Happenings at Keystone Heritage Park

El Paso is full of many under-explored sites, Keystone Heritage Park located at 4220 Doniphan is one of them. The botanical garden and archaic wetlands, sits amid a 52-acre archeological site in El Paso’s Upper Valley. The property is city-owned and leased to a volunteer Board of Directors who join forces with local citizens to preserve and develop the park.

According to their website keystoneheritagepark.com, Keystone Wetlands is home to many species of birds and is a stop on a migratory route for even more. Over 193 species of birds have been spotted there, including twenty-two species considered rare by the Audubon Society. These archaic wetlands, protected by federal law, depict the wetlands that once lined the Rio Grande.

The website also explains that the archeological site was first discovered in the late 1970s by the Corps of Engineers during the construction of flood control dams. Runoff from a thunderstorm washed away the bank of a shallow arroyo revealing a cut-away of an ancient pitch house. Preliminary research revealed the hut was part of a larger village. Carbon dating indicated the site was 4000+ years old. According to National Geographic Magazine, it may be one of the largest and oldest villages of its kind in the United States.

Keystone Heritage Park is an IRS approved 501(c) (3) organization with a board-of-directors composed of community leaders and volunteers. The board works to ensure the long-term success of this valuable property. The involvement of other community organizations, such as Rotary, Jr. League, the Audubon Society and more, display the community’s commitment to the success of the project.

“For the first time we participated in a parade on October 28th. The parade's region was Vera Cruz, and our theme was Catrina’s y Colibris,” said RubyAnn Gaglio Keystone’s Event Coordinator.

On Halloween there was a trick or treat party and some of the collaborators included the Texas Master Naturalists, Insights, DaVinci Middle School and the Youth Opera of El Paso.

Luminarias by the Lake takes place on December 1st and 2nd and is a partnership with the Doña Ana County Ridge Runners 4-H Club. “We will be selling hot drinks and snacks, and we try to keep our events as low waste as possible and everyone is encouraged to bring clean glasses and cups for beverages to our community events,” RubyAnn explained. There will be thousands of luminarias set up around the garden and there will be entertainment including the Youth Opera of El Paso and storytellers from the Six Guns and Shady Ladies. Cost for the event is Adults- $5 and Children- $3

One December 10th at 1pm, Ximena Larrieu will be presenting about local birds for Science Sunday. There will also be a Veggies and Art Market and the Mystical Market happening in December. Please check for dates and times on upcoming events and for more information on Keystone Heritage Park, by visiting their Instagram and/or Facebook pages. You can also call: 915-490-8571 or 915-584-0563.