In most places, January means snow days and warm slow cooker meals, or scraping the ice off your car and fussing to get coats on the kids. Here in the Phoenix East Valley, it means throwing on a hoodie for the mornings and evenings, and spending the day enjoying some of our best weather outdoors. There’s a reason our population increases by hundreds of thousands each winter.
For our family, it’s a great time to enjoy the parks in and around our home. Over the years we’ve gotten to know our absolute favorites. So, here are the top 5 parks we visit on a regular basis, but in no particular order because I honestly couldn’t decide!
- Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch: This is our go-to park in Gilbert for a laid-back afternoon of feeding ducks, playing a game of tag, climbing trees or walking the trails. This expansive park not only includes several ponds and miles of natural trail, but its own observatory where you can stargaze on Saturday nights. Its abstract playground features a giant concrete snake that my boys both learned to walk on, and dinosaur dig areas that bring their imaginations to life.
- Tumbleweed Park: This popular park in Chandler has plenty of space for athletics and recreation. An on-site rec center provides programs and opportunities for all sorts of activities, while a large playground features barn-style structure and a mini city complete with climbable fire truck, school bus, and roads to scoot, bike or skate on.
- Mansel Carter Oasis Park: This park in Queen Creek is a hot spot for cooling off in the summer. Its splash pad centers around a pirate ship with water slides, canons and more. Ponds for fishing, playgrounds, a fitness area, and even a sand play structure with running water make it the perfect place for wearing out even the most energetic little ones.
- Riverview Park: Riverview Park in Mesa is an expansive park with room for events, a large splash pad, and two climbing structures, each spanning more than 50 feet. Sidewalks connecting all of the amenities are also great for skating, biking or long walks.
- Gilbert Regional Park: This regional park has opened its first couple of phases, but still has even more room to grow. With an amphitheater for events, sport courts for tennis, pickleball and more, and a three-part playground for tots, big kids and splashing, we’re thankful it’s a short drive from our house. We spend a lot of time at this park for playdates, parties, or just an afternoon.
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