Outdoors with Kids

Randall Davey Audubon Center
1800 Upper Canyon Rd.
983-4609

To reach the center, follow Canyon Road past the intersection of Camino Cabra at Cristo Rey Church to Upper Canyon Road. The center is the very last structure on Canyon Road 9 -5 PM daily. trail fee is $1 for nonmembers. In 1847, at the beginning of the U.S. occupation, the first sawmill in the territory was built here, providing planks for the construction of Santa Fe's Fort Marcy, where U.S. troops were garrisoned. At the turn of the century, Candelario Martinez farmed this land until he sold the property to artist Randall Davey in 1920. Davey converted the mill into a two-story home and used the Martinez hacienda for his studio. The house still contains a representative sample of Davey's work and his furnishings.

The Audubon Society acquired this property in the mid-1980s and operates it as a nature center and the group's New Mexico headquarters. Included is land along the Santa Fe River. The center's trails begin in the pi–on and juniper woodlands and meadows and climb up to cool ponderosa pine forest. More than 100 species of birds have been observed here, along with coyote, black bear, mountain lion and mule deer. In addition to the do-it-yourself nature trails, the center offers guided hikes, wildlife interpretive programs and summer activities for children. The center's gift shop sells bird seed, books and other items of interest to naturalists.

Call for schedules of Masses. The 8:00 am Mass on Sunday is one that children enjoy. It is conducted in Spanish and features a mariachi band and an enthusiastic Spanish choir. The whole service is vivid and full of life.