Extreme Heat: Tucson Parks and Recreation is canceling the Reid Park Run for Thursday, June 22 due to extreme heat. Please join us for the last run being held on Thursday, June 29 in Reid Park. Questions: call the Sports Office at 791-4870.
KIDS Swim Free at City Pools June 1 – August 2
The City of Tucson would like to invite kids to beat the heat and cool off at one of 17 city pools for free for this summer swim season. Beginning June 1, youth under the age of 17 will pay no admission fee at 17 City of Tucson Parks and Recreation department pools. A fee will still be charged at the Edith Ball Adaptive Recreation Center pool. Fees are $2 for adults (18 and over) and $1 for youth (17 and under).
Free pool locations:
| Amphitheater – 125 W. Yavapai Rd. | Freedom – 5000 E. 29th St. | Palo Verde – 300 S. Mann Ave. |
| Archer – 1665 S. La Cholla Blvd. | Himmel – 1000 N. Tucson Blvd. | Purple Heart – 9800 E. Rita Rd. |
| Catalina – 2005 N. Dodge Blvd. | Jacobs – 1020 W. Lind St. | Quincie Douglas – 1563 E. 36th St. |
| Clements – 8155 E. Poinciana Dr. | Kennedy – 3700 S. Mission Rd. | Sunnyside – 1725 E. Bilby Rd. |
| El Pueblo – 5100 S. Missiondale Rd. | Mansfield – 2275 N. 4th Ave. | Udall – 7200 E. Tanque Verde Rd. |
| Fort Lowell – 2900 N. Craycroft Rd. | Menlo – 1100 W. Fresno St. |
Kids are Free for the Summer at Select Recreation Centers Beginning June 5-Aug. 2
As a follow up to the discussion at the May 23, 2017 Mayor and Council Study Session on this matter, every City of Tucson Recreation Center that currently hosts summer Open Recreation will do so at no charge for youth 17 years and under. The current Open Recreation guidlines still apply.
The 10 recreation centers included are:
| Fred Archer | Cherry Avenue | Clements | Donna Liggins | El Pueblo |
| El Rio | Freedom | Oury | Santa Rosa | Udall |
The following centers do not have Open Recreation hours due to existing summer programming commitments and are not included in the free Open Recreation program:
Quincie Douglas, Therapeutic Recreation, Randolph, Marty Birdman, Armory Park Senior, and Edith Ball Adaptive Recreation Centers
Tucson Honored as 2017 Playful City USA Community
258 cities and towns recognized for putting the needs of kids and families first as part of Playful City USA program
Tucson is being honored with a 2017 Playful City USA designation for the 11th time. Tucson was one of 31 cities honored in 2007, the inaugural year. Playful City USA honors cities and towns across the country for putting the needs of families first so kids can learn, grow, and develop important life skills.
These communities are transforming ordinary places into playful spaces and using play as a solution to the challenges facing their residents. The 2017 Playful City USA recognition includes 258 communities from Richmond, Virginia to Richmond, California that make it as easy as possible for kids to play. In total, these communities feature more than 14,000 safe and engaging play spaces that serve more than 4 million kids.
Tucson Parks and Recreation System Master Plan
On Wednesday, October 5, 2016, the Mayor and Tucson City Council approved the adoption of the Tucson Parks and Recreation System Master Plan. In April 2015, after a competitive selection process, a consultant team lead by Norris Design, and including Gordley Group, ETC Institute/Leisure Vision and the Trust for Public Land, was chosen to develop and deliver a new City of Tucson Parks and Recreation System Master Plan. The Master Plan has been a collaborative process between the City of Tucson and its residents, partners, and stakeholders. The Master Plan serves as a roadmap to navigate community goals and build recommendations that provide policymakers an approach to leverage the City's parks and recreation resources with other community partners and initiatives.
For more information on the process and to view the newly adopted plan, please visit the Tucson Parks and Recreation System Master Plan website.
Pantano River Park Commemorative Trees
Tucson Clean & Beautiful, in cooperation with the City of Tucson and Pima County, announce the availability of commemorative trees along the Pantano River Park. Commemorative trees are available for purchase through Tucson Clean & Beautiful for $225 each (partially tax-deductible), including the tree, irrigation lines and number marker installation, name dedication at a commemorative plaza, dedication certificate and guaranteed replacement. Trees may be purchased for dedication honoring special occasions, or in remembrance of any friend or family member.
The new Pantano River Park Commemorative Tree Program is based upon the success of the completed El Paseo de los Arboles commemorative tree project where 600 trees were added on the Santa Cruz River bank. Over the next several years, dedicated trees will restore more than two miles of natural habitat, and will grow to provide shade for users of this multi-use path. More than 275 trees already have been planted of the 570 trees that eventually will fill this park.
Visit Tucson Clean & Beautiful to dedicate a commemorative tree, or call (520) 837-6832 for assistance.