The 8 most epic playgrounds in Tucson

Summer break means planning low-spend activities to keep the kiddos laughing and burning energy. Here are eight amazing playgrounds in Tucson to do just that. 

It is no secret that Tucson reaches ungodly temperatures in the summer. The idea of going to the playground may seem bleak—or overly bright—unless you plan it accordingly.

Considering high sun hours is the easiest approach, going to the park before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. is often a good way to avoid the high sun, high heat, and burning bars. Packing a picnic complete with frozen water and some sweet and salty treats is also a good trick. Another approach is to find a playground that offers shade and possibly even a water feature.

These eight epic playgrounds in Tucson were built with the scorching summers in mind. 

1. Gene C. Reid Park 

Zoos, dog parks, ponds, pools, horseshoe pits, a rose garden, and playgrounds make up the 150+ acres of Gene C. Reid Park located at 800 S. Concert Pl. The outdoor playground features red and yellow awnings that help reflect the sun, multiple slides, and some crazy monkey bars. The best part about the multiple activities offered at this recreational space is that when the kids begin to heat up from play, you can go over to the duck ponds and create cool—pun intended—memories of feeding the ducks. Or pay a small fee to hop into the pool (if you need a tie breaker, that’s my vote).

2. Himmel Park

Built in 1944, Himmel Park is one of Tucson’s oldest parks. It includes two playgrounds, ramadas, walking paths, a pool, and—swoon—a library. Centrally located at 1000 N. Tucson Blvd, the dual playgrounds offer swings, slides, a range of accommodations for different ages, and partial shading! While the play structures are fairly basic, this park is always full of new friends due to its location and available activities.

My littles will tell you that no summer is complete without the summer library programs. So when you’re done playing in the sun, sign up for that library card and see what all the fuss is about.

3. Brandi Fenton Memorial Park

One of these parks is not like the others, and that is Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, located at 3482 E River Road. Not only does this multi-activity park offer dog runs, fields, and ramadas, but the play structures are fully shaded, and there are splash pads to enjoy free of charge! With all of this careful consideration, this park has earned the phrase “the hottest place to stay cool in the summer.” 

4. Naranja Park

Pack a picnic and head out to Naranja Park to enjoy bird watching, a skate park, a pickleball court, and, of course, a partially shaded playground complete with ziplines and a splash pad! Naranja is a local favorite for all the right reasons. So if you and the family want to have wholesome, free fun, head on out to 810 W Naranja Dr and make some new friends. Bring a towel and some flip-flops for that splash pad! 

5. McDonald Park 

Located at 4100 N. Harrison Road, McDonald Park offers shaded play structures and a touch of je ne sais quoi. The play structures, despite sprawling across a large portion of land, are mostly shaded by permanent structures and brightly colored sun sails. There are slides, climbing structures, and swingsets. Once you’re done, head over to the batting cages or the concessions stand to enjoy even more family fun.  

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6. Canada del Oro Riverfront Park

As the name suggests, Canada del Oro Riverfront Park is conveniently located at 551 W. Lambert Lane. Overlooking a river, the park provides stunning views of both running water and mountains. Combining the views with the ample availability of tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, and walking paths may be impressive on their own, but it’s the playground that stands out here. While fairly straightforward with the structures provided, this playground is fully shaded, offering a reprieve from the sun while providing the opportunity to play for hours without worry of sunburn.

7. Fort Lowell Park

Want to learn about history on a leisurely walking path? Want to go on swings? Want a shaded play structure? How about ponds and a splash pad? All of this can be found in the historically-drenched recreation area known as Fort Lowell Park. Located at 2900 N. Craycroft Rd., Fort Lowell Park calls home a neighborhood known for being relatively safe, an important factor when indulging in outdoor family fun. 

8. Rancho Sahuarita

Meticulously designed as part of a neighborhood, Rancho Sahuarita is a park complete with mountain views, a butterfly garden, a desert garden, a safari trail adorned with animal statues to pose on, a lake, a bark park, an armed forces tribute, a playground, and perhaps the state’s best splash pad! While the playground is relatively unshaded and not ideal for high summer heat, the flamingo splash pad offers plenty of play not far from the sparkling pools. Arrive early to play on the structure, stay longer to splash in the water. Although a neighborhood, the park is open to all and is located at 13850 W Calle Vista Larga.

Other fun summer options 

If the idea of playing outside in the summer heat and getting enough vitamin D to last the entire year still doesn’t appeal to you, there are a few other options to consider. For entry fees, Tucson has many amazing indoor playgrounds, including Wild Katz, Playformance, and The Children’s Museum. You may also want to get your National Parks Pass and consider exploring one of the many national parks in the state. Farmers markets are a fun way to get outside before the sun rises too high, too. You can create a “healthy-eater” game where the kids choose one vegetable from the market they want to try. Or, if you really want to spend time indoors away from the rays, check out one of the many indoor amusement parks available to us. You’ll certainly catch me and my family—when not at the library—enjoying the unlimited buffet and discounted summer entry fees at Jake’s Unlimited in Mesa.

Cheers to a fun and sunny summer break! 

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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