Parks & Recreation
With nearly 350 days of sunshine a year and a fascinating array of recreational options, you’ll find plenty of fun in the sun in Tucson! Parks and forests can be found in just about any direction—although some forests aren’t quite the traditional forests you’ll find elsewhere. State parks offer hiking, fishing, camping, bird-watching, and more. Pima County and the city of Tucson both maintain outstanding parks and recreation departments. Because of the location of many of the parks, there has been a great deal of cooperation among the federal, state, county, and city governments. This cooperative effort has resulted in preservation of the natural beauty of the area as well as quality service for visitors. And, if all that isn’t enough, many local recreation-oriented businesses offer everything from skydiving and rock climbing to hot-air balloon rides and mountain goat pack adventures. You can even be a true city slicker by taking part in a cattle drive.
Parks & Recreation - Bicycling
Tucson is a bicyclist’s paradise. Miles of scenic trails and terrific weather year-round are just a couple reasons Bicycling Magazine ranked Tucson as one of the top three North American cities for bicycling. Whether you’re a professional or just looking for some great exercise, this bicycle-friendly city is the place to ride.
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
5. Tucson Mountain Park
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (520) 877-6000
Description: Located west of the city, Tucson Mountain Park, a 20,000-acre desert preserve, has thick stands of saguaro cactus; great hiking, biking, and camping; and, some say, the best place in the Tucson Basin to see a sunset, at Gates Pass. Maintained by the county, the park borders Saguaro National Park West. Enter the park at Ajo Way and Kinney Road.
6. Kidco
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (520) 791-4873
Description: Designed with the elementary school kid in mind, this safe, creative program will please both children and parents. Arts and crafts, games, and a citywide carnival are just a few of the elements that make up this after-school and summer recreation program for ages 5 through 12. (See the Education & Child Care chapter.)
7. Youth And Teen Programs
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: Numerous after-school and summer programs are available for kids ages 12 through 17. The after-school Junior Teen Scene for 12- to 14-year-olds provides recreation activities with special focus themes in life skills, arts and crafts, dance and music, community service projects, sports, games, and career development. Specific rec centers offer a wide variety of activities, from martial arts to tennis lessons. A Junior Leadership Volunteer Program for 13- to17-year-olds teaches kids to assist youth program staff throughout the year working with after-school and recreation programs.
8. Senior Programs
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (520) 791-4873
Description: Recognizing that many of the retirees in Tucson are anything but retiring, Parks and Rec has developed an extensive array of activities for seniors. From the Senior Olympic Festival (see the Festivals & Events chapter) to a friendly game of bridge at one of the designated senior centers, those over 50 can attend classes in everything from Tai Chi to tennis, join a collectors club or a hiking group, or just plain socialize.
9. Adaptive Recreation Center (Arc)
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (520) 791-5643
Address: 1000 S. Randolph Way
Description: Among the many swimming pools with waterslides, splash areas, wading pools, diving boards, lap lanes, and myriad classes, the Edith Ball Adaptive Recreation Center, located in Reid Park near the zoo, is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art facility that offers both specialized and inclusive programs for people with disabilities as well as general-use participants. The facility contains 2 pools, including a heated outdoor recreational pool that is covered by an attractive tent. This pool has a zero-depth entry, a “sprayground” water feature, 4 lap lanes, and a walking channel with a current to provide resistance during water walking exercise. The second pool is a heated indoor therapy pool used exclusively by people with disabilities.
10. Brandi Fenton Memorial Park
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 3482 E. River Rd.
Description: This lovely park has something for everyone—kids, horses, dogs, walkers, runners, you name it! The 56.7-acre park is north of the Rillito River at River Road and Alvernon Way.The park sits on the edge of the Rillito River park and offers covered basketball courts (you will appreciate this when temps hit the 90s), 2 grassy off-leash dog parks, soccer fields, a kids’ splash park, a shaded playground, walking paths, an equestrian arena, ramadas, and grills.An antiques fair takes place on the grounds seasonally every third Sunday. The park was created in 2005 to commemorate the life of Brandi Fenton, who died tragically in an accident at the age of 13.
11. Christopher Columbus Park
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 4600 N. Silverbell Rd.
Description: Site of one of 3 city parks with a lake, Christopher Columbus Park offers sailboating—use the launch ramp—and fishing on Silverbell Lake (see the Close-up in this chapter; no swimming allowed). Picnic areas with grills, ramadas, and a playground are also in the park. Model airplane fans can enjoy their hobby at the park’s model airplane facility.A popular feature of this west-side park is a leash-free dog run. The 14,000-square-foot area is open from dawn to 2 to 3 hours after dusk and features a Fido fountain.
12. Fort Lowell Park
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 2900 N. Craycroft Rd.
Description: A trip to this midtown lovely is more than just a walk in the park. Here you will also find a history lesson or two and see the remains of buildings that were once part of historic Fort Lowell, an outpost that guarded the town of Tucson. (See the Attractions chapter.)Tennis courts, a swimming pool, a playground, a jogging path, an assortment of fields with and without lights, handball and racquetball courts with lights, and both sand and grass volleyball courts attract visitors all week long. A pond attracts ducks and other waterfowl. Parking and picnic spots with ramadas can also be found.The entrance to the park and parking is just east of the intersection of Glenn Street and Craycroft Road.
13. Golf Links Sports Complex
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 2400 S. Craycroft Rd.
Description: This wide-open recreation area is the site of many soccer games in the evening and on weekends. Four softball fields with lights are also a busy part of this park. Trees are plentiful.
14. Himmel Park
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 1000 N. Tucson Blvd.
Description: With a great number of tall, mature shade trees and a gorgeous swimming pool and kids’ pool, Himmel Park is one of the “coolest” spots in town. Athletes young and old can enjoy the exercise course, the Little League and soccer fields, and the tennis courts. The courts are lit at night, and the park serves as one of the sites for the city’s USTA tennis league program.For a more leisurely choice, you can always pack a lunch to munch at one of the picnic sites or grab a book from the public library on-site (don’t forget to apply for your library card first).Located just 1 block south of Speedway Boulevard on Tucson Boulevard, Himmel Park is easily accessible with plenty of free parking.
15. Jacobs Park
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 3300 N. Fairview Ave.
Description: Jacobs Park offers all the amenities of a large city park while still maintaining the feel of a cozy neighborhood park. Located on the near west side (3 blocks south of Prince Road on Fairview Avenue), this urban green space has a new play pool, a swimming pool, a YMCA, ball diamonds, soccer fields, swings, slides, grills, picnic areas, a small dog park, and acres of open space where the kids can frolic; or let them cool down under the shade of one of the large old trees in the park. Weekdays will find the locals enjoying a quiet respite, while the weekends are filled with soccer league games, picnickers, and city league baseball and softball. A YMCA, which is housed in the recreation center, is the site of many senior activities.