Pueblo Parks and Recreation are inviting the community to join them Saturday for a park dedication ceremony honoring Pueblo native Laura Schwartzenberger.

The dedication will start at noon and go until 2 p.m. at Laura’s Park, formerly known as Starlite Park at Surfwood Lane and Starlite Drive. Starlite Park, now to be known as Laura’s Park, is being renamed in Schwartzenberger’s honor, as she had grown up playing there as a child. The park was updated in February with brand-new playground equipment and new sidewalk pathways.

Schwartzenberger was an FBI agent and was killed in the line of duty in 2021, while serving a search warrant in Florida. She is originally from Pueblo, where she was born and raised on Starlite Drive.

Schwartzenberger kicked started her FBI career in 2005 in Albuquerque, New Mexico where she was and still is the only woman to ever be a part of the New Mexico SWAT team. She then transferred to Miami in 2021 where she worked on the Cargo Theft Task Force and used her diving skills from her high school career as part of the underwater search and recovery team.

Eventually Schwartzenberger’s career took her to the Violent Crimes and Fugitive Task Force. She felt as though she had found her calling in this task force. She was the first female to be part of the FBI SWAT Team and was even part of the first responders team during the Parkland Shooting.

Schwartzenberger received the accolade of Law Enforcement Officer for Federal Agent in 2016 and the Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer in 2016 and 2019.

“Special Agent Laura Schwarzenberger and her family will always hold a special place in the hearts of all FBI employees, especially those of us in Denver, Miami and Albuquerque,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek stated in a news release. “Laura’s Park in her hometown is a fitting tribute to an FBI agent who had a passion for helping children, and who knew what it meant to treasure time with family.”

The dedication on Saturday will consist of Presentation of Colors by a joint Honor Guard, a proclamation read by a Pueblo City Council President Mark Aliff, introduction of Laura’s family, FBI presentation and the blessing and ribbon cutting of park. Children will be able to enjoy food and games as part of the ceremony as well.

“Pueblo Parks and Recreation is honored to have the opportunity to rename and dedicate Laura’s Park in Laura Schwartzenberger’s memory,” said Director of Pueblo Parks and Recreation Steven Meier in a news release. “Laura was a well-loved member of our community and her service to our country as an FBI agent will always be remembered in the neighborhood park, she grew up playing in as a child. Now this space can continue wonderful memories for other children and community members of Pueblo in Laura’s honor.”