Academy Hills in Albuquerque, NM

Academy Hills is a residential subdivision in Albuquerque's Northeast Heights, wrapped around the city park that gives it its name at Juan Tabo and Eubank NE. The park anchors daily life here: sports fields, a playground and shade structure, and a six-foot asphalt path that loops the perimeter for about a mile, with a natural-surface path along the upper end. Hubert Humphrey Elementary sits on Academy Hills Drive inside the neighborhood, and a shopping center stands across Eubank. Streets are public, and the Sandia Mountains fill the view east from the park.

The association here is voluntary rather than a homeowners association. Members file an annual affirmation to keep voting status, donations are optional, and the group gathers at a church on Academy Boulevard NE. Its Fourth of July bike parade starts at the park in the morning, with bike decorating, snacks, a piñata and live music.

City council capital projects paid for the walking path and the playground upgrades. Parking is on-street along Academy Hills, and ABQ Ride stops serve the park.