Walking the walk
Notorious walkway’s new look a hit with kids

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Gaye Brown de Alvarez
Staff writer

GALLUP — It was blue skies, warm temperatures, music, children and performances that drew a large crowd on the west side of the Children’s Library in downtown Gallup to Lunch on the Walkway.

A busload of students came to the event on Aztec Avenue and sat on the concrete facing the stage.

“We’re just here to watch,” said Chris Madrid, 11, a third-grader from Roosevelt Elementary.

Ethan Dempsey, 9, another third-grader from Roosevelt said he was there to sing. “We’re going to do a KISS song,” he said as he maneuvered into the shade. “We’re going to sing ‘I Want to Rock ‘n Roll All Night.’”

A stage was set up for the day, said Lisa Baca Diaz, one of the organizers, who has been involved with the project. The performances included the Desert Community Youth Orchestra, which was comprised of one cello player and five violinists. The St. Frances Choir sang and Dylan Vargas, martial arts master, showed off some of his moves.

“We’re just watching,” Mrs. Esparza, the third-grade teacher at Roosevelt, said. “We were invited for the grand opening.”
Everyone stood and said the Pledge of Allegiance.

“This is more fun than being in class,” third-grader Erianna Bennett, 10, from Roosevelt, said. She said she liked her school and her favorite subject was math. “My most favorite thing about math is the ‘fact families.’”

The Fort Wingate Elementary powwow dancers and the St. Frances Mexican Hat dancers finished their performances and the ribbon was cut.

It was official. The downtown walkway was now an official safe and fun city project, with a swing set and a sandbox. No more 10-feet high walls that were able to hide nefarious activity. The new walkway is more visible from the street, so police can monitor activity.

All the city and county officials were there including Fred Mondragon, cabinet secretary of the New Mexico Economic Development Department.

Hot dogs, barbecued wings, apples, grapes and sack lunches were available from Sammy C’s, Coal Street Pub, and Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe.

The walkway is the final phase of the Courthouse Square project, which was the culmination of efforts and funds from the state, county and city governments.