There is no better way to engage in entertaining, affordable fun with family and friends than to visit a nearby park. With over 60 parks in Chandler, it may be hard to choose. To get you started, here is a top 5 list of the most beautiful/popular parks in Chandler, Arizona.
1) Paseo Vista Recreation Area
Address: 3850 S. McQueen Rd., Chandler, AZ 85286
Amenities:
- Dog Park
- Walking Trails
- Disc Golf Course: 18 holes and 4,100 feet long
- Archery Range: Archery classes offered through the Chandler Recreation Division and listed in Chandler's Break Time Recreation Guide.
- Playground: The kid's playground includes swings, slides, climbing rocks, and a large geo-spider web dome made up of cables that children can climb.
For almost 30 years, this park was a working landfill before the people of Chandler decided to give this 60-acre area of land an incredible makeover creating one of the most popular and beautiful parks in Chandler, AZ. Paseo Vista Recreation Area includes an archery range, a large bark park, picnic shelters, a disc golf course, hiking and biking trails, several areas for climbing, and a playground. Of course, the real standout is the AMAZING view - enjoy 360-degree views of the East Valley from the 40ft. high looking point- an unofficial great spot for viewing Independence Day fireworks! If you're looking for a park with great views, nice trails, and fun activities Paseo Vista is the park for you!
Address: 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler, AZ 85249
Amenities:
- Hiking Trails
- Wildlife Viewing Areas
- Butterfly and Hummingbird Habitat
- Outdoor Amphitheater
- Areas for Open Play
- Lake
- Fishing
- Self-guided Solar System Walk
Veterans Oasis Park & Chandler Nature Center opened in 2008 and encompassed 113 acres. This park is a great getaway full of outdoor Arizona recreational activities and learning exhibits. Veterans Oasis is composed of 4.5 miles of hiking trails, picnic and ramada areas, a butterfly and hummingbird environment, wildlife viewing areas, an outdoor amphitheater, a playground, lake, a Solar System Walk, and interpretive signs and exhibits about the native plant life. There is truly something for everyone to do.
The park is composed of striking trails making it perfect for hikers, horseback riders, and cyclists and is accessible for beginning hikers or for a leisurely stroll. The 5-acre, 12- to 14-foot deep lake is a great catch... pun intended! The park is home of a variety of fish including channel catfish, rainbow trout, bluegill, sunfish, and largemouth bass. To fish here, you must have a fishing license.
The adjacent Chandler Nature Center features include a reptile exhibit, meeting rooms, gift shop and various reading materials. Park visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery this park has to offer while learning about nature, environmental preservation, biology, and the desert.
Address: 660 N Desert Breeze Blvd., Chandler, AZ 85226
Amenities:
- Hummingbird Habitat
- Train & Carousel Park
- Spray Animals on Splash Pad
- Lake
Desert Breeze Park is located at 660 N. Desert Breeze Parkway. It was designed in 1996 by Landscape Architect Dennis Peitz. This unique park features the Desert Breeze Hummingbird Habitat where you will find an inviting, shady garden filled with over fifty species of native plants that attract hummingbirds and other wildlife. One of the first things that you will notice at the entry to the garden are two large iron sculptures created Artist Joe Tyler. The first is a large iron tree to provide shade for the surrounding seating area. The second is an archway displaying a hummingbird collecting nectar from a flower. This is a great place to learn about desert plants and tours are offered throughout the year. Desert Breeze Railroad is located at the park and features a carousel and open-top train where you and your kids can enjoy a ride around the park - be sure to allow time for the little ones to cool off at the splash pad.
Address: 2250 S McQueen Rd., Chandler, AZ 85286
Amenities:
- Jogging, Hiking and Cycling Paths
- Covered Ramadas
- Recreation Center
- Zip Line
- Playtopia!
Tumbleweed is a great place for both kids and adults. There is a lot of space for kids to play and plenty of shade with various armadas. There are jogging, hiking and cycling paths to enjoy as well. The Tumbleweed Recreation Center and tennis courts are in the same complex, although the recreation center requires paid membership to use the gym facilities.
The main attraction at Tumbleweed Park is Playtopia, a 2.5-acre children's play area comprised of several play zones each one themed accordingly to celebrate Chandler's unique heritage including farm land, city land, and critter land.
Playtopia highlights:
- Farm Land is made up of several slides, bridges and climbing components designed to include the farm life theme. Most of the play gym is under a large red barn canopy providing shade and protection from the sun.
- City Land is based on an urban-themed landscape. To achieve the big city look the area features street signs, paved streets, vehicles, and lamp posts. In addition to offering riding, climbing, and sliding structures for children, the City Land streets are awesome for riding tricycles and small bikes!
- Critter Land is an entertaining place for children to explore and climb around. Children can hop on the back of a huge Gila Monster, walk through giant tortoise shells, and get their hands dirty searching in the sand to find dinosaur bones.
Playtopia amenities include benches, swings, restrooms, sand volleyball, horseshoe pits, barbeque grills, and 14 ramadas with covered seating and picnic tables that can be reserved for your family and friends.
Address: 1400 W Mesquite St., Chandler, AZ 85225
Amenities:
- Obstacles
- Benches
- Doggy Drinking Fountains
- Gated
We couldn't leave out Fido! If you are looking for an off-leash dog park where dogs can run free and socialize with their canine comrades Shawnee Dog Park is a perfect place to bring your dog! This dog park is made of fun, entertaining obstacles just for your dog including see-saws, balance beams, tunnels, hurdles, doggy drinking fountains, fake fire hydrant, and a large A-frame surrounded by a 6 foot high fence with one main entry. This park is shaded by large trees and bench areas so you can have a nice relaxing time while your dogs have some fun!
