There are times where you want to take the kids outside, but you just don’t know what to do with them. Sometimes doing the same activities outside just doesn’t work, and yet you want to do what you can to help them get exercise while having fun at the same time. Here in Tucson, doing that is about to get a little bit easier.
The city of Tucson put out a press release for what the Parks and Recreation Department is currently undertaking for May, and it includes several new destinations around town to take yourself, your children, and even your furry little friend.
One of the most exciting of the current plans and renovations includes the creation of a splash pad at Udall Park (located at 7200 East Tanque Verde Road). The splash pad will have sprinklers, water fountains, and other fun water activities for your children (and you) to enjoy. Sometimes there’s no better way to beat the heat than with the help of some outdoor water fun. The park addition will be free as well, although the water system will only run during regular park hours (traditionally an hour after dawn and an hour before dusk). Currently, the splash pad is expected to be open around the end of the summer, which may be perfect timing because the dead of summer is often too hot to be walking around on cement, even with water around.
There is a significant need for dog parks around greater Tucson. Most dog parks are few and far between. This results in many dog owners who don’t have a backyard taking their dogs to parks and let them run around off-leash in areas that may not be designated for animal use. To help alleviate this problem the construction of the Anza Dog Park has started. The new dog park will be located at 1000 North Stone Avenue and there will be two sections of the park: one for larger dogs (and dogs who like to play with larger dogs) and a small dog area.
The last major bit of construction to kick off this May isn’t a new park, but instead improvements to the Reffkin Tennis Center. Renovations to the center have been ongoing and are almost finished, with an expected finish date sometime in the middle of next month. The upgrades to the tennis center include new post-tension concrete on the courts, which will greatly enhance the enjoyment and experience tennis players get out of the court. There was also the resurfacing of 16 other courts, plus the construction of additional shade structures. And, for those individuals who are looking for other court options, there are now pickleball courts for use at the Reffkin Tennis Center.
You may be wondering where the funding for these courts and parks is coming from. All of the money hails from Proposition 407, which was a $225 million bond package approved by voters back in November of 2018. The bond funds were to be set aside for park improvements and the development of new amenities around town. These park additions are using just a small portion of the $225 million, and new projects are scheduled to continue all the way through 2028. Some of the additional improvements that have not yet begun include more bicycle pathways and improved bicycle and pedestrian safety lanes around town (so hopefully this will reduce, or eliminate bicycle accidents and the white bicycle memorials placed around town).
As additional projects are undertaken and started up the Tucson Parks and Recreations Department will put out new monthly press releases to help keep you and the rest of greater Tucson up to date.