Hello and welcome to my July newsletter, thanks for being here. One of my favorite parts of writing these newsletters is introducing you to places and people that make New Mexico such an extraordinary place to live. Sometimes it’s an artist, sometimes it’s a cultural event, and sometimes it’s a hidden gem that has quietly evolved into something bigger than most people realize.

If you’ve had a chance to listen to my podcast, Living Albuquerque, you’ve already met Jeree Tomasi. She was my very first guest who shared decades of wisdom about financing homeownership. During our conversation she shared a little about her son Parker’s newest venture; a place called Legacy Ranch. But this isn’t just a ranch. It’s a story about preserving history, creating opportunities, serving the community, and building something intended to outlast a lifetime. Naturally I had to learn more. Shortly after our interview, I was able to visit for myself. Let me tell you, it’s a place with something for everyone.

Tucked away on nearly 500 acres in the East Mountains, just off the Sedillo exit, Legacy Ranch feels like stepping into another world. Located on the Edgewood side of the Bernalillo, Santa Fe, and Torrance County border, the property has quietly become one of the area’s most unique destinations.

Many longtime residents remember it by another name, Founders Ranch. Nearly 20 years ago it was created as a world-class destination for Cowboy Action Shooting, complete with an authentic Old West town where competitors dressed in period clothing and spent weekends immersed in the spirit of the American West. For years it attracted visitors from around the country before coming to a halt in 2020 alongside everyone and everything else. Like so many small businesses, it struggled to recover and eventually its founders (many now in their 80s) were ready to pass the torch to a new generation. That’s where Parker Tomasi’s story begins.

Fresh out of the US Marine Corps, Parker wasn’t looking for just another business. He saw an opportunity to build something lasting. Having managed Marine Corps shooting ranges on the East Coast and growing up in a family immersed in outdoor recreation and firearm safety, the property felt like a natural fit. Rather than simply purchasing a shooting facility, he envisioned creating something his children, and generations to come, could be proud of. That’s where the name Legacy Ranch was born. A place were knowledge, experience, and passion could continue being passed forward.

Today, Legacy Ranch is evolving into something bigger than its original purpose. Yes, it’s home to national and regional shooting competitions. But it’s also become a place where families gather, people learn new skills, and the community comes together.

When you visit you can expect to find:

🏹 A beautiful 3D archery course

🎯 Sporting clays

💍 A restored wedding and event venue complete with chapel, bridal suite, and groom's quarters

🐂 Longhorn cattle, alpacas, chickens, and quail roaming the property

🎄 Holiday celebrations and family events

🍪 Cookie decorating classes

🎓 Concealed carry and firearm safety courses

🎥 Film productions at the authentic Old West movie set

What struck me most wasn’t the variety of activities, it was the intention behind them. They aren’t trying to serve just one audience. Instead it’s becoming a place where many different interests and communities intersect.

One of the biggest surprises for me was discovering that Legacy Ranch isn’t just about recreation and competition. It has also become one of the East Mountains’ most unique destinations for weddings, celebrations, retreats, and special events. With nearly 500 acres of rolling meadows, dramatic skies, and peaceful open space, the ranch offers a setting that feels worlds away from the city, even though it’s only about 30 minutes from Albuquerque. It’s the kind of place were nature does most of the decorating. The land creates an unforgettable backdrop in every season.

Dreaming of an outdoor wedding? The property offers a beautiful blend of rustic charm and timeless elegance. Couples can exchange vows surrounded by sweeping views before celebrating with family and friends in a setting that feels both intimate and distinctly New Mexican. You’ll find a charming chapel, thoughtfully designed bridal and groom suites, and plenty of room for guests to gather, celebrate, and create lasting memories.

The ranch has also become a wonderful destination for corporate retreats, leadership workshops, family reunions, and community gatherings. Stepping away from the pace of everyday life and into wide-open spaces has a way for encouraging fresh ideas, meaningful conversations, and genuine connection. Whether your goal is team building, celebrating a milestone, or just spending quality time together, Legacy Ranch offers. a refreshing change of scenery.

Thanks to its authentic Old West town, expansive landscapes, and diverse natural settings, another audience is emerging. The film industry. Commercials, independent films, photo sessions, and other media productions have begun utilizing the property, proving once again that New Mexico’s landscapes continue to inspire stories and storytellers.

And of course, they are continuing to host premier shooting competitions. The facility has expanded to welcome everyone from first time participants to seasoned competitors. The property features a 450-yard rifle range, multiple private shooting bays for pistol and rifle training, 13 station sporting clays course, and challenging 3D archery course.

Throughout the year, Legacy Ranch hosts regional and national competitions in a variety of shooting disciplines, drawing participants from across the Southwest and beyond. Yet despite its world class facilities, Parker’s vision has always been rooted in education, safety, and responsible firearm handling. Whether someone is pursuing competitive shooting, improving hunting skills, learning archery, or taking a firearms course for the first time, they provide a welcoming environment where confidence, skill, and respect for the sport are developed together.

Maybe what I appreciate most is the philosophy behind it. From the beginning, Parker and his partners envisioned more than a destination. They wanted to create a place where people feel welcome, families can gather, and community comes first. That commitment extends beyond the ranch itself. The owners support local nonprofits, churches, and youth programs, believing that investing in the community is as important as investing in the property. Their goal is to create a place where people can learn, celebrate, connect, and build relationships lasting long after the day of the event.

In many ways Legacy Ranch isn’t defined by the activities it offers, but by the memories it helps create. Whether you’re attending a wedding, participating in a competition, hosting a company retreat, enjoying a holiday event, or simply spending time outdoors with family and friends, it’s the kind of place where meaningful experiences happen naturally. That may be the greatest legacy of all.

Jeree told me something that really stayed with me. When Parker first reopened the gates, many neighbors wondered who these new owners were and what they intended to do with the property. Now, that skepticism has turned into excitement.

After years of deferred maintenance, buildings have been restored, new events continue to fill up the calendar, and Legacy Ranch has become exactly what its name suggests. A long term investment and commitment to the community. Safety, education, experiences, and stewardship remain at the center of everything they do.

For more information about Legacy Ranch, please visit their Website or follow them on Instagram or Facebook.

Before I go, I have one more fun thing to share…

I hope you’ll join me next month for a little Customer Appreciation Ice Cream Social at Heidi’s Ice Cream on Friday, August 7. I’ll be there from 4-7pm. Between the first day of school, the unofficial halfway point of summer, and our warm August evenings, I can’t think of a better excuse to enjoy one of Albuquerque’s favorite sweet treats. Stop by after work, bring the kids, or just come say hello and enjoy a scoop on me! They even have dairy-free options.

My personal favorite is Adobe Road. Yum!

More than anything, this is a way for me to say thank you. Thank you for trusting me with your real estate journey, for your referrals, your friendship, and for following along with these newsletters each month.

I hope to see you there!

As the fireworks quiet down so does the market. Inventory is starting to rise, and with few buyers in the market through August, traditionally there is less competition for homes. Now is the time to buy if you want to get a home for a bit less, or ask for seller concessions. Give me a call today to start your journey, I’d love to help you achieve your 2026 real estate goals.   

One of the many things I love most about real estate is that it continually introduces me to stories and places I never would have discovered otherwise. Legacy Ranch is one of those places. It’s a reminder that every property has a past, but also has the potential for an entirely new future in the hands of someone with vision. Whether you’re interested in outdoor recreation, weddings, local events, or simply exploring somewhere you’ve never been before, Legacy Ranch is well worth adding to your New Mexico bucket list. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll find yourself there creating a few of your own memories that become part of its legacy too.

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