Circus Steps brings flying trapeze to Albuquerque's Barelas Park
Founders Daniel Gilbert and Lizzy Schwartz negotiated a city agreement to host classes through November and return in March.
By Emmanuel Faure ·
Circus Steps has installed a flying trapeze rig at Barelas Park in Albuquerque. The school opened its doors to the public on Wednesday and plans to operate through the end of the month. The founders, Daniel Gilbert and Lizzy Schwartz, intend to return for another season in March.
Gilbert and Schwartz performed trapeze acts around the world for nearly two decades before establishing their own instruction business. They selected Albuquerque as the launch site for the school to introduce the sport to a wider audience. According to Schwartz, beginners can typically attempt the apparatus if they are comfortable hanging from a standard pull-up bar.
The pair negotiated a use agreement with the city to secure the location. Gilbert stated that the deal involves providing programming for municipal partners. The school will host events with community centers, school groups, and parks department staff. Gilbert described the city officials as generous partners in the arrangement.
Gilbert argued that adults need access to hobbies that encourage play and continuous learning. He defined a meaningful hobby as one that allows individuals to grow as adults. The school aims to provide this type of activity through its trapeze classes.
Schwartz noted that the physical sensation of flying does not lose its appeal after years of practice. She described the experience as a combination of acrobatic challenge and the thrill of being suspended in the air. The floaty moment of moving through the sky, she said, remains a primary draw for practitioners.
Gabrielle Gonzales, the public information officer for the Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Department, supported the partnership. In a statement, she described the project as an example of innovative park activation. The department aims to create opportunities for families to experience their community in new ways by partnering with Circus Steps.
Prospective students can contact the school by emailing info@circusteps.com. The organization also accepts inquiries through direct messages on social media platforms under the handle Circus Steps.
