Edgewood Welcomes Jackson Poole as New Recreational Lead

October 3, 2026

EDGEWOOD, N.M. — Jackson Poole may consider himself an introvert at heart, but as the Town of Edgewood’s newly appointed recreational lead, he is making one thing clear to area residents: his door is wide open.

A New Mexico native who grew up just down the road in Cedar Crest, Poole, 22, stepped into the municipal role with a fresh communications degree from the University of New Mexico and years of hands-on municipal recreation experience under his belt. Now, he wants to hear directly from the community about what programs, classes, and activities they want to see in town.

“I want to meet the folks out here who are making Edgewood work,” Poole said. “I want to learn about them. I want to know who they are, and I want to establish that relationship. So please come talk to me. My door is open.”

Poole’s connection to the East Mountains runs deep. After spending his earliest years in Albuquerque, his family moved to Cedar Crest, making Edgewood a frequent stop for weekend dinners and local community events over the last 15 years. He graduated from East Mountain High School in 2022 before heading to UNM.

Initially pursuing film studies, Poole pivoted toward a broader bachelor’s degree in communications, graduating this past May. Along the way, he discovered his true calling while working within Albuquerque’s community center system. Over several years, he worked his way up from regular recreation staff to assistant site supervisor and, eventually, activities coordinator.

“When I was working as just a regular rec staff member, I started really enjoying being able to come in and work with the kids and meet the families,” Poole said. “Each community throughout was a little different. Understanding what makes a community center tick within a specific community—and understanding what pushes families to utilize the programs we’re putting on—that’s something I learned to appreciate.”

Now in his second week on the job in Edgewood, Poole is shifting his focus from neighborhood center activities to town-wide programming.

His first priority is launching a comprehensive community needs assessment survey within the coming month. The survey will poll residents on the types of classes, sports, and seasonal events they want the town to provide, while identifying potential partnerships with local schools, churches, and civic groups.

“Right now, a lot of my experience has been putting on smaller programs for a specific center. In this position, I’m putting on events and hopefully programs and classes for the entire town of Edgewood,” Poole said. “I know my strategic plan has to be a little different. We have great churches, schools, and businesses out here. I want them to know they have a partner in us—we’re not just some local government. We’re here to support each other.”

Longer-term goals include expanding youth enrichment offerings beyond the traditional summer season into structured before- and after-school programs during the academic year. Poole also aims to modernize how the department communicates with the public, looking to expand the town’s social media presence to platforms like Instagram and TikTok to better reach local youth and younger families, while fine-tuning Edgewood’s recently updated town website.

When he is not coordinating community activities, Poole describes himself as an avid reader and self-proclaimed movie nerd with a passion for horror and mystery. His favorite author is Stephen King, naming the classic novel “It” as a favorite.

Fittingly, his first major public assignment coincides with his favorite time of the year: Edgewood’s annual Trunk or Treat, scheduled for Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Venus Park. Poole is already collaborating with the local Teen Advisory Committee to organize carnival games and activities for the evening.

While stepping into a leadership position at a young age carries its share of challenges, Poole welcomes the test, emphasizing that his main mission is simply bringing neighbors together.

“I’m hoping I can start opening up pathways and looking at different gaps to make this town feel even more close-knit,” Poole said. “Whether that’s being a good point of contact for a local business, for the kiddos out here, or for families—my goal is to build relationships and make this a fun, safe, and positive space.”

Recreation Specialist, Town of Edgewood