Gene C. Reid Park

Address: 800 S. Concert Pl.

Improvements

Improvements to the Outdoor Performance Center are funded by Tucson Delivers Proposition 407 voter-approved bond funds. In November 2018, City of Tucson voters approved Proposition 407, a $225 million bond package for capital improvements. The bond funds are dedicated to improving City park amenities (playgrounds, sports fields, pools, splash pads, and recreation centers) as well as connections (pedestrian pathways, bicycle pathways, and pedestrian and bicycle safety).

In 2023, Parks and Recreation engaged event hosts who use the Outdoor Performance Center at Gene C. Reid Park to understand what types of improvements are needed. Based on this feedback and ADA access to the event space, the design team developed a concept plan to seek broader community input on improvements at the Outdoor Performance Center.

In February 2024, the public was invited to preview a concept plan and provide feedback in a survey. The results are below.

Address: 910 S. Concert Pl. (use Picnic Place or Concert Place entrances off S. Country Club Rd.)
Hours: 7 a.m.-10 p.m. 
Closed for Maintenance: Thursdays 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Separate Large and Small Dog Areas: Yes

Named after Miko, a TPD police dog that lost its life in the line of duty, this dog park's features include lights, three double-entry gates, a divided 2-acre site for large and small dogs, dog-friendly potable water fountains, and a ramada with tables.

Address: 920 S. Concert Pl.
Closed annually from December 1 through March 31 for pruning and cleaning
*Subject to closures for event reservations (visit our Special Events page to find out how to host an event here).

Background

• The rose garden was opened in Gene C. Reid Park in 1960 and was originally a test garden through a partnership with the University of Arizona, and was planted by Robert Charles. When the garden opened, it had 232 rose beds.
• The Reid Park Rose Garden received the Garden of the Year Award from the American Rose Society's Pacific Southwest District in 2012.
• The Rose Garden is maintained by the City of Tucson Parks and Recreation in conjunction with volunteers that include The Friends of the Rose Garden.
• Volunteers assist park maintenance workers in trimming, watering, feeding, and pruning the roses.
• Donations to the Rose Garden for maintenance and upkeep and can be made through the Tucson Parks and Recreation Department.
• On April 23, 2019, the Reid Park rose garden was named for business owner, philanthropist, and Tucson icon, Cele Peterson. Ms. Peterson contributed to Tucson in many ways, including leading by example in a wide variety of social causes and founding the Tucson Children's Museum, the Arizona Theater Company, the Arizona Opera, and Casa de los Ninos.

Restoration Project 

The department is undergoing a restoration project at the Rose Garden to bring back this historical place to its original condition. This will be a multi-phased project. The approach allows for funding and staffing/volunteer resources to be used as available to allow for a sustainable renovation of the Rose Garden for long-term public enjoyment of this asset.

Phase 1 (2022) - Completed

• Arizona Conservation Core was engaged to complete all weeding and dead wood, and poor-condition plant removal.
• Friends of the Rose Garden assisted with the identification of the plants to be removed due to their poor condition.
• Through the Pima County Extension Office, master gardeners visited the site to confirm conditions and make recommendations on a rebuilding of the garden approach.
• The entire perimeter fence was replaced due to decay of the original fence.
• The front entrance was updated to include concrete flooring, a bulletin board, replacement of benches, pavers for the first phase of a memorial brick program, and metal planters.
• Planting of new rose bushes donated by Magic Nursery in response to their closing of the business.

Phase 2 (2023) - Completed

• Replacement of the entire irrigation system.
• Removed all remaining poor-condition or dead bushes.

Phase 3/Long-range planning and funding needs

• Mapping of a phased replanting of the garden, 2024 target 100 – 150 new rose bushes, keeping with varieties previously found in the beds.
• Leveling the ground and compacting dirt walkways to allow accessible and safe pathways through the garden.
• Fertilizing and mulching of the garden to assist with rose bush health and the prevention of weed growth.
• Anticipation of additional planting of rose bushes in 2025 and possibly 2026.
• Formalizing the garden beds with concrete headers to discourage walking through the beds while visiting the garden.
• Three additional paver installations at the end of the remaining three concrete walkways, forecast to be a fundraising opportunity with the memorial brick program.
• Stabilized walkway solutions for better ADA accessibility.
• Signage within the garden, identification of beds, roses, and memorial plantings
• Front entry signage and outward-facing materials require repair or replacement, and the addition of the recognition of the Cele Peterson memorial name.

Hi Corbett Field, originally named Randolph Municipal Baseball Park, was built in 1927. Initial home teams include the Tucson Waddies and the Tucson Cowboys of the Arizona State League. In 1931, the Tucson Missions played in the Arizona-Texas League. The team became the Tucson Lizards in 1932. The Tucson Cowboys then occupied the ballpark from 1933 to 1958.

In 1946, the Cleveland Indians moved their spring training operations to Tucson. Hiram Steven Corbett, a long-time Arizona state senator and president of the Tucson Baseball Commission, played a key role in luring the Indians to Tucson. In 1951 the ballpark was renamed in honor of Corbett and has been known as Hi Corbett Field since then. Hi Corbett Field continued to be the home of the Cleveland Indians spring training for 46 years. The Colorado Rockies made Tucson their spring training home from 1993 to 2010. Hi Corbett Field has also been the home of the Class AAA Tucson Toros, Arizona Fall Baseball League Tucson Javelinas, USA Baseball, the National Pro Fastpitch League Arizona Heat, and the Golden Baseball League Tucson Torros.

Today, Hi Corbett Field is home to Arizona Wildcats Baseball.

In 1993, the Tucson Parks Commission unanimously approved naming the large hill between the two lakes in Gene C. Reid Park "Barnum Hill" in memory of Willis E. Barnum (1880-1971). In 1925, Mr. Barnum and his wife, Laura Jane English (1880-1966), financed the purchase of a 480-acre parcel of land which he deeded to the city and is now home to Gene C. Reid Park and Randolph Park today.

Park Rx is a public health initiative that promotes healthy communities. Park Rx provides a unique patient-provider relationship where providers prescribe nature as a means to develop an exercise routine and use their neighborhood parks to do fun physical activities.