Tingley Beach: A beach for all seasons

It’s the depot for the Rio Line Train, which makes a loop to the Rio Grande Zoo and Albuquerque Aquarium/Rio Grande Botanic Garden. This is an adorable scaled down 1890s replica train that takes visitors through the Biopark - the Rio Grande Zoo, Aquarium, and Rio Grande Botanic Garden.

The train runs most of the year. Visitors can buy a combo ticket to get off the train and visit the rest of the Biopark. Although there’s way too much to see in one day.

The fishing ponds include a children's fishing pond at which children 12 years of age and younger can fish without a license. Another pond is a large fishing pond, and the third pond offers a catch-and-release experience. In summer there are paddle boats for rent to enjoy being on the water.

Rent a bike (summer) or bring your own anytime for a ride along the Bosque (woods).

The trail is paved and runs through the Rio Grande Valley State Park. Part of it runs right by Tingley.

As with much of Albuquerque, there is public art at Tingley. A new piece is expected to be installed by the end of 2010. The piece, tentatively called Flyway, recycles very large pieces of angle iron once used to create the jetties to harness the Rio Grande. Its described as a geometric format that when you drive or walk through gives a sense of how birds fly - as homage to the migratory birds that fly through the valley.

The statue of the Tingleys has also come home to the beach that bears their name. Former mayor Clyde Tingley still holds out his hand in greeting. Kids love to shake the hand right back. Carrie is still there sitting and smiling.

For more information visit BioPark - Tingley Beach