Los Alamos Community Services reports gold‑medal finalist nod and year of local projects

Chelsea Ashcraft, senior management analyst for Los Alamos County’s Community Services Department, presented the department’s year‑end accomplishments to the Mesa Public Library Board during a meeting that began at 5:30 p.m., highlighting a national award nomination, completed renovations, and plans for several local projects.

The presentation emphasized national recognition: "To become a national gold medal award finalists, agencies are evaluated on how effectively they meet the needs of their communities," Ashcraft said, noting the department is a finalist with final results to be announced at the National Recreation and Park Association conference next week. Ashcraft described the finalist status as validation of five years of work to align programs with Council strategic goals.

The nut of Ashcraft’s report was how the department’s services connect to Council priorities. She listed capital work that is complete or nearing construction — including the permanent chiller at the ice rink, substantial progress on the golf course renovation, completion of design for two new play lots, and preparation to begin construction of an outdoor classroom at the Mesa Public Library — and described ongoing asset‑management efforts such as implementing a parks asset system (Cartograph) and a cemetery master plan for Guaje Pines Cemetery.

Ashcraft gave program and engagement figures: the county’s recreation and library divisions delivered more than 1,800 programs or events over the year. Social and cultural highlights included expanded swim lessons, seven‑to‑nine skate nights (nine skate nights averaged about 48 participants), the annual Atomicon event (which the manager later estimated drew roughly 700 attendees across venues), and bilingual cultural programming. The presentation also noted digital‑access expansion with the library adding the Kanopy streaming service and social media reach of more than 119,000 across Facebook and Instagram, with more than 26,000 visits to department Facebook pages.

On staffing and recruitment, Ashcraft said the department has been recruiting more widely since the COVID‑19 pandemic, has consolidated some part‑time library roles into two full‑time positions, filled five recreation positions this year, and that five of nine current full‑time lifeguards began in a lifeguard trainee program. The department hosted eight high‑school summer interns and is adding another certified parks professional to the team.

Accessibility and safety efforts detailed in the presentation included ADA upgrades (the golf course now has at least two accessible tee boxes per hole, ADA restrooms and a compliant electric cart), nearly half a mile of upgraded Kinnickinnick Park Trail, and a simplified ADA modification request process accessible from the county website. The open‑space and trails report listed specific maintenance work: staff removed eight hazard trees, improved 12 trails, cleared invasive plants from five trails and completed two erosion control projects; the county also contracted for outdoor warning systems that provide real‑time weather data and lighting alerts within a 10‑mile radius.

Ashcraft described mental health and social‑services efforts: a coalition called LAUNCH (partnering social services, the county health council, the New Mexico Suicide Prevention Initiative and the Los Alamos Community Foundation) is planning a community suicide‑prevention program that aims to train 1,000 people this year; social services sponsored an older‑adult summit in which 23 seniors were trained to recognize and respond to opioid overdoses; and the county is exploring a coordinated crisis response team based on sequential intercept modeling (SIM). Ashcraft also listed partnerships for juvenile services and an upcoming social‑work intern from New Mexico State University.

Board members asked clarifying questions about specific items in Ashcraft’s slide deck. Michelle (board vice chair) asked what “Gymkhana” meant; Ashcraft defined it as a set of equestrian events. Michelle also asked about the design of an upcoming deer fence around the Rose Garden; Ashcraft said the fence will be decorative and approximately 5–6 feet high, intended to be more attractive and effective than the current chicken‑wire barrier. Councilor Nillen praised Atomicon’s family engagement and attendance.

Separately, the board approved minutes from its July 7 meeting after a motion. The motion to approve the minutes was moved by Diane and seconded by Michelle; the board chair called for a vote and the minutes were approved by all present.

Manager’s report: the library manager reported August circulation of 26,363 items and a digital circulation of 9,615 (about 27 percent of circulation). In August the library hosted 45 programs with total reported attendance of 1,669. Staffing updates included the upcoming start of Rachel McElderry as senior librarian on Oct. 13 and a near‑fill for a librarian position. The library’s front garden renovation and new sidewalk work were also described as underway.

The board was informed that two library board vacancies have two applicants and that county council is expected to appoint two new board members the following night; once a full board is in place the board will hold elections for vice chair. The meeting closed with reminders of upcoming outreach (a council booth at the Farmers Market on Sept. 25) and the next regular meeting on Oct. 6 at the Los Alamos Municipal Building.

Votes at a glance: Minutes from July 7 — motion to approve moved by Diane, seconded by Michelle; outcome: approved (unanimous of members present).

The presentation and the manager’s report provided the board with status updates and figures staff said will guide projects and outreach in the coming year, including multiple playground, trail and ADA projects and continuing emphasis on mental‑health partnerships and regional recruitment for hard‑to‑fill positions.