Explore A New Playground In A Park Near You In Phoenix

Press release from the City of Phoenix:

February 5, 2021

During the last year, the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department has opened more than a dozen new or renovated playgrounds in parks citywide. While use of a select few city park amenities is being restricted due to COVID-19, playgrounds, restrooms and the majority of other park features are available for the community to enjoy. Read more about Parks and Recreation Department temporarily closed amenities and impacted services.

The city's Parks and Recreation, and Neighborhood Services departments partnered to renovate a playground in 14 parks in 2020. Financial support came from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, which is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As a result, the following parks received a new playground:

• Barrios Unidos, 1501 E. Mohave St.
• Cave Creek Cholla, 2505 W. Cholla St.
• Central, 140 E. Tonto St.
• Edison, 901 N. 19th St.
• El Prado, 6428 S. 19th Ave.
• Harmon, 1425 S. 5th Ave.
• Lewis, 1238 S. 13th Pl.
• Madison, 1440 E. Glenrosa Ave.
• Nevitt, 6815 S. 44th Way
• Perry, 2700 N. 32nd St.
• Roosevelt, 837 N. 3rd Ave.
• University, 1002 W. Van Buren St.
• West Plaza, 6549 N. 43rd Ave.

Winifred Green, 1608 W. Peoria Ave.

In December 2020, one of the Valley's most unique playgrounds opened in Margaret T. Hance Park in downtown Phoenix. However, calling it a “playground" is an understatement. “Fiesta Bowl PLAY at Hance Park" is 20,000-square-feet and features a climbing wall, a separate net climbing structure, a water mist play feature and a sand play area positioned under a shade canopy. Its other one-of-a-kind amenities include three animal-themed play structures – a Kit Fox, Black-Tailed Jackrabbit and Great-Horned Owl. Those animal structures are made of 95 percent recycled plastic lumber.

In the short time it has been open, PLAY has become popular with the community and is being used daily by families from the nearby neighborhood as well as those from other parts of the Valley who have made the park a destination for a family outing. PLAY is located on the west end of the park and the parking lot at 67 W. Culver St. provides easy access to the new amenities. PLAY is the centerpiece of the first phase of the Hance Park Revitalization Project and was made possible thanks to a $2 million legacy gift from the Fiesta Bowl and supporting partners.

Also, during 2020, the renovation of Longview Park included a new 4,900-square-foot playground – an amenity the park did not have previously. Other park upgrades included a new ramada and picnic tables, and a perimeter sidewalk with benches and a drinking fountain. This park is located at 4040 N. 14th St. The project was funded by the voter approved Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative (PPPI).

PPPI is a one tenth of one-cent sales tax (one cent for every $10 spent) that generates the main source of funding for Parks and Recreation Department capital improvement projects. PPPI was approved by voters in 1999 and renewed in 2008 for another 30 years.

Also funded by PPPI, renovated playgrounds debuted in recent weeks in Washington and Yunya parks.

The playground in Washington Park reopened in January and is part of a 57-acre park site located at 6655 N. 23rd Ave. that also features a parkour-style challenge course, WalkPHX path, dog park and ample green space.

A renovation of the quarter-acre Yunya Park was celebrated earlier this week. That project included installation of a new playground with play structures for youth ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12. The park is Located at 2831 W. Washington St.

In addition to those 18 new or renovated playgrounds, the city's 185 parks are home to 160 playgrounds in total. Locate a playground in your neighborhood by visiting Phoenix.gov/Parks.

Being outdoors is important for health and wellness, and the Parks and Recreation Department encourages residents to get outside, get exercise and practice responsible physical distancing while exploring all that the city's park system has to offer. City of Phoenix parks, hiking trails and golf courses have remained open normal hours of operation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Community members using the city's outdoor recreational amenities should continue to follow these guidelines related to responsible physical distancing:

• Do not use parks and trails if you are exhibiting symptoms
• Wear a mask or face covering
• Bring your own wipes and hand sanitizer
• Keep a safe distance of six feet or more from others

Detailed information about the city's outdoor recreational options, free and fee-based virtual recreational programs for all ages and ability levels, and guidelines for how to responsibly use city parks and trails during the pandemic is available at Phoenix.gov/Parks.

This press release was produced by the City of Phoenix. The views expressed here are the author’s own.