Tucson Parks and Recreation

01/06/2026

Friday and Saturday brought the Palo Verde Park community together. Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate the improvements!

Locals joined Joseph Blair at Palo Verde Park, near Broadway and Kolb Road, for the unveiling of the Judith “Mama” Blair Basketball Courts on Saturday morning.

01/06/2026

Summer soundtrack? Check.
Lifeguards ready? Check.
Pools open? DOUBLE CHECK.

Come cool off with Tucson Parks & Recreation all summer long! Find our pool schedules here: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Parks-and-Recreation/Pools-and-Splash-Pads

30/05/2026

Tomorrow at 9 a.m. our neighborhood will celebrate something truly special — the grand opening of the new basketball courts at our park, made possible by the generosity and heart of NBA Coach and former Wildcat Joseph Blair. His investment in our park - as well as the support from Paul Cunningham and the Ward Two office - is an investment in our community, our kids, and the future we’re building together.
The event is at Palo Verde Park just south of Broadway and Jessica. Go south on Jessica until the the road ends and you can't miss it!
We're honored to welcome an incredible lineup of former UA players — Joseph Blair, Harvey Thompson, Corey Williams, Reggie Geary, and former women’s standout Felicity Willis — all here to help us cut the ribbon and open the courts with real Wildcat spirit.
After the speakers, the courts will come to life as they're meant to, with the first pickup game played by talented high school athletes from Rincon, Palo Verde, and Sahuaro.
A huge thank‑you to everyone who made this investment possible. Please come and show everyone what community looks like.

29/05/2026

The City of Tucson will hold a public hearing on proposed Tucson Parks and Recreation fee updates during the Mayor and Council meeting on June 9, 2026, at approximately 5:30 p.m.

The proposed updates are intended to better align program and facility fees with the actual cost of operations while continuing to provide accessible recreation opportunities for the community.

Since April, Tucson Parks and Recreation has hosted multiple public and user group meetings and gathered hundreds of community comments that helped shape the final proposal. Updates to the proposal include:

• Replacing proposed pickleball fees at Udall Park with a community MOU
• Adding a daily lap swim punch pass
• Removing the therapy pool pass
• Adjusting aquatics fitness class increases to 15% annually instead of full cost recovery
• Introducing a new graduated income-based Discount Program tied to Federal Poverty Level, offering discounts from 20%–80% for qualifying families

Learn more and review the proposed changes here:
https://tucsonparks.info/parksandrecfeechanges

28/05/2026

IT’S HAPPENING. 🛹
After years of community support, fundraising, and advocacy, the Cushing Street Skate Park is officially breaking ground.

Join Vice Mayor Lane Santa Cruz and Tucson Parks & Recreation as we celebrate this exciting milestone for Tucson’s skate community.
Tuesday, June 30
6 p.m.
700 W. Cushing St. (under the I-10 underpass)

This $2.6 million project was made possible through strong community partnerships, public support, and the vision and dedication of founder Caleb Gutierrez.

Funding contributions include support from the City Framework and City Investment Plan, Tohono O’odham Nation Grant, Mayor’s Office, Ward 1 Budget de la Gente participatory budgeting process, Rio Nuevo, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, and community donations.

Come celebrate this major step forward for Tucson skateboarding.

28/05/2026

Freedom Pool Update (May 28, 2026): The pool is scheduled to reopen Thursday, June 4. We anticipate the splash pad reopening sooner and will provide an update once it is open.

TEMPORARY CLOSURE NOTICE
Due to vandalism involving broken glass found on the pool deck and in the water, the pool at Freedom Pool will be drained and cleaned beginning tomorrow, May 27.

During this process, the splash pad will be temporarily closed until the pool is refilled and chemically balanced.

We anticipate the pool reopening as scheduled on Thursday, June 4.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.

27/05/2026

Quick update on the Joaquin Murrieta Splash Pad: crews are finishing the shade structure installation early, and the splash pad will reopen tomorrow, May 28, at 8 a.m.🎉

**Update: SPLASH PAD CLOSURE NOTICE
The splash pad at Joaquin Murrieta Park will be closed Tuesday, May 26– Thursday, May 28 next week for installation of the new shade canopies!**

Thank you for your patience while we make improvements!
We’re making improvements to the Joaquin Murrieta splash pad!
Construction crews will be installing foundations for new shade structures.
The splash pad will be closed Thursday, May 14 through Friday, May 15, 1pm.

Thank you for your patience as we add more shade and comfort to the area!

26/05/2026

TEMPORARY CLOSURE NOTICE
Due to vandalism involving broken glass found on the pool deck and in the water, the pool at Freedom Pool will be drained and cleaned beginning tomorrow, May 27.

During this process, the splash pad will be temporarily closed until the pool is refilled and chemically balanced.

We anticipate the pool reopening as scheduled on Thursday, June 4.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.

26/05/2026

Thank you, Vice Mayor Lane Santa Cruz, for joining us at Rugby Rodeo!
It was incredible seeing Estevan Park filled with neighbors, athletes, and families learning more about rugby and community recreation. Estevan Park has been home to Tucson’s rugby community for more than 30 years and remains the only park in the city with a rugby pitch.

A huge thank you to all the organizations that helped make the event possible:
🏉 Marana Raptors Youth Rugby Club
🏉 Tucson Blackbirds Youth Rugby Club
🏉 Tucson Magpies Rugby Club
🏉 Tucson Thunderbirds High School Girl's Rugby
🏉 Old Pueblo Lightning Rugby
We loved seeing everyone get involved, try the drills, and celebrate community through sport!