How to make a safe email address[]
See our page on making a safe email address
Overview of petanque in New Mexico[]
Between 2010 to 2017, petanque in New Mexico really took off. Leaders in the movement were Christophe Descarpentries, Todd Haagenstad, and Ken Thompson.
- Todd Haagenstad was the driving force behind the 2014 construction of the petanque courts in Los Alamos,
- Ken Thompson is an avid and skillful petanque player. He has a petanque court in front of his home in Albuquerque and is happy to have visitors over for a game. The best way to contact him is via his Facebook page.
- Christophe Descarpentries (DAY-car-pen-tree) is the owner/chef of P’tit Louis Bistro in Albuquerque. He was instrumental in the organization of the P'tit Louis Bistro Open (held at the Haynes Community Center and Park in Rio Rancho, north of Albuquerque, in September 2013) and the first New Mexico petanque singles championship (held at Old Town Farm in Albuquerque in April 2015).
Left to right: Todd Haagenstad, Ken Thompson, Christophe Descarpentries
Places to play in Albuquerque[]
Old Town Farm[]
- Old Town Farm is an event venue located in the heart of Albuquerque, betwee Old Town and the Rio Grande.
- 949 Montoya Street NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104 (map).
- Its covered area can host 26 courts under one roof, with tables and chairs to seat 200.
Bataan Park[]
Bataan Memorial Park, (Lomas and Carlisle), 748 Tulane Dr., NE, Albuquerque, NM (map)
Petanque on the gravel path in Bataan Memorial Park.
The trees provide nice shade on hot days.
Coal and Buena Vista[]
The northeast corner of Coal Ave SE and Buena Vista Dr SE (Map)
Terrain at Coal and Buena Vista
Albuquerque - Albuquerque Petanque[]
- https://www.facebook.com/Albuquerque-Pétanque-395394061256304
- {April 2023} The club reported:
- Our homes are at Old Town Farm and Sawmill Market. Check us out. These venues have well-respected reputations and we are honored to be a part of their respective communities. Join us at 9:00 a.m Saturday mornings at Old Town Farm for coffee, brunch, and a family friendly time in beautiful and relaxing setting, or kick it up a notch at Sawmill Market Monday's at 5:30 for a meal and pint, and a lovely evening. Beginners encouraged, and we will have you up and playing in 10 minutes, equipment provided.
Albuquerque - Duke City Pétanque (DEAD)[]
- aka Kokopelli Petanque
Bernalillo - Kaktus Brewing Company[]
- https://www.kaktusbrewery.com/
- 471 S Hill Rd, Bernalillo, NM 87004 (map)
Kaktus Brewing Company (new, summer 2014)
Los Alamos - La Mesa Petanque Club[]
- https://www.FACEBOOK.com/groups/lamesapetanqueclub/
- The group was created by Todd Haagenstad in 2010.
- It went dormant around 2020, just before the pandemic, and may now be dead.
- The group's terrain in Urban Park was built in 2014. (map)
March 2014. Finishing construction of the new petanque courts in Urban Park, Los Alamos.
Santa Fe - Santa Fe Petanque[]
As of January 2025, the club is active. See this Youtube video about the club. The group does not maintain a web page. To reach them for information about when and where they play...
- Telephone or text to George (Mike) Polillo at (505)310-2801
- Email to gmpolillo@icloud.com
Mike Polillo reports—
- We start play when spring temperatures get around 50 degrees and winds moderate.
- We continue into the fall as long as the weather is mild.
- We are a non-competitive club of fair-weather but loyal players.
- Start times change from 10:30 to 9:00 as temperature changes Spring-Summer-Fall.
- We play Sunday mornings at Santa Fe Railyard Park, 740 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505 (map)
The Santa Fe Railyard Park terrain
Other venues and terrains in Santa Fe include:
- Estrella del Norte Vineyard, 106 N. Shining Sun, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87506 (north of Santa Fe, between Nambe and Pojoaque) (map)
- Il Vicino Brewery Canteen, 2381 Aztec Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107 (map)
Terrain at Estrella del Norte Vinyard
Capitan - Flaming Balls Petanque Club (DEAD)[]
- The club was led by Gregg Russel. Gregg had some health issues and this club disappeared in 2011.