Peoria, Arizona is known for its beautiful parks and recreation areas that offer residents and visitors opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. With over 30 city parks located throughout Peoria, there is something for everyone to appreciate, whether you enjoy sports, playground activities, hiking trails, or peaceful natural spaces.
This article will provide an overview of 10 of Peoria’s most popular and diverse parks, highlighting the amenities and attractions each has to offer.
Detention Basin Park
Located near 85th Avenue and Lake Pleasant Parkway, Detention Basin Park is a unique 121-acre park known for its expansive green spaces and scenic views. The park surrounds a large detention basin that temporarily collects and stores floodwaters to prevent downstream flooding. When not in use, the basin serves as a beautiful open field perfect for relaxing outdoors, flying kites, and leisurely strolls.
Beyond the basin, the park features several playgrounds, picnic ramadas, a half-mile walking trail, and restrooms. During and after rainstorms, visitors enjoy watching the basin fill up and observing the waterfowl that frequent the area, such as ducks, herons, and geese. Whether you want to spend time in nature or play, Detention Basin Park is a versatile option for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Lake Pleasant Regional Park
Situated on the shores of Lake Pleasant, Lake Pleasant Regional Park is one of the crown jewels of Peoria’s park system. Spread across 775 acres with over 4 miles of paved and unpaved trails, the park invites exploration by foot, bicycle, or boat with scenic views of the lake and surrounding mountains at every turn.
Trail users and hikers delight in the diverse landscape, spotting wildlife like roadrunners, coyotes and beautiful desert plants. The lake itself is perfect for fishing, swimming, boating, and other water sports. Families love picnicking and barbecuing at one of the many ramada areas while kids enjoy the playground, batting cages or disc golf course. With so much to see and do both on land and water, Lake Pleasant Regional Park is a premier outdoor destination that should not be missed.
Sundust Elementary School Park
Located next to Sundust Elementary School, this 20-acre neighborhood park contains fun amenities for children and families. The large grassy field is ideal for games of tag, frisbee, soccer, and other active play. Younger kids will love the playground area featuring slides, swings, climbing structures and other conventional play equipment. A shaded ramada with picnic tables provides the perfect spot to relax after a long day of play or enjoy a snack.
Other amenities include basketball and volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, a half-mile walking path looping around the perimeter, and separate restrooms for men and women. This charming park offers a safe, inviting space for local kids and parents alike to spend quality time together outdoors. Whether you live nearby or just want a change of scenery, Sundust Elementary School Park is worth a visit.
Silverado Park
Situated along the scenic Agua Fria River, Silverado Park is one Peoria’s most unique natural areas. Stretching 180 acres along both sides of the river, the park invites exploration on over 3 miles of multi-use trails perfect for hiking, biking or jogging. Wildlife is abundant with opportunities to spot birds, deer, rabbits and other small mammals amongst the cottonwood trees.
Two ramada areas provide shaded spaces for picnicking alongside charcoal grills and tables. On warmer afternoons, lots of families enjoy tubing or floating with rented inner tubes from the adjacent outfitter down a calm stretch of the river. For the more adventurous, seasonal kayaking and fishing is also available. With its mix of open desert, dense riparian areas and recreational activities centered around the beautiful river, Silverado Park delivers an outdoor experience like no other in the city.
James D. Kiles Park
James D. Kiles Park, located near Olive Avenue and 95th Avenue, is one of Peoria’s premiere sports complexes. Spread across 160 acres, the park features 14 softball/baseball fields, 4 multi-use synthetic fields for soccer, football, lacrosse and other sports, 8 sand volleyball courts, basketball hoops, a playground, concession stand, and large parking areas to accommodate tournaments and special events.
Whether watching games from the grassy spectator berms or participating yourself, Kiles Park provides the ideal setting for recreational athletics year-round. After exerting energy on the playing fields, visitors can relax under the park’s many shaded ramada areas with picnic tables and barbecue grills. With its abundance of top-notch sports facilities, Kiles Park is truly a mecca for active outdoor enthusiasts in Peoria.
CrossWater at Quarry Pointe
Unlike the city’s other parks with open green spaces and playgrounds, CrossWater at Quarry Pointe is designed more for relaxation and leisure activities amidst an aesthetically pleasing landscape and water features. Located on the site of a historic rock quarry, the 45-acre park surrounds a 4-acre lake framed by rolling hills and connected by footbridges. Paved paths wind throughout inviting walks and views of the water from all directions.
The lake’s clear blue water provides the scenic backdrop for activities like model boating, kayaking or paddle boarding available to rent on site. Grass slopes, ramada areas and a building hosting indoor events complete the picturesque scene. Whether enjoying time with family, exercising, reading a book or simply taking in the natural tranquility, CrossWater at Quarry Pointe offers a unique vision of serenity within an urban setting.
Windmere Park
Windmere Park sits on 14 bucolic acres near 113th Avenue and Grand Avenue, creating an oasis of green space within a residential neighborhood. At the center of the park a large lawn and grassy floodplain provide the ideal setting for games of catch, kite flying, picnicking or simply relaxing outdoors. Ramadas with barbecues and tables dot the perimeter alongside a playground, basketball courts, soccer field and walking path circling the perimeter.
Of special note is an enchanting desert willow grove trail only a few hundred feet long but lovely for leisurely strolls amongst the gnarled branches and scent of orange blossoms. Beyond routine amenities, Windmere Park celebrates its natural beauty and provides a peaceful escape where families and friends can connect with nature and each other in the heart of the community.
Cimarron Park
Located near 99th Avenue and Cimarron Road, Cimarron Park is one of Peoria’s hidden gems. At 20 acres, the park may be smaller than others but makes the most of its space. One third is occupied by an open field bordered by trees offering uncrowded room for activities like soccer, flying kites and general recreation. A playground with swings, slides and climbing equipment sits at the perimeter for younger children.
At the northern edge of the park runs a half-mile walking path ideal for jogging or walking pets while appreciating views of native plants and birds. Shaded picnic ramadas and grills complete routine amenities. Though missing elaborately themed attractions of larger parks, Cimarron Park delivers a quiet natural setting perfect for neighbors seeking relaxation closer to home. With upgraded landscaping and amenities planned in the future, this overlooked park is sure to grow in popularity.
Encanto Park
Situated across 22 acres of rolling desert landscape at 99th Avenue and Encanto Boulevard, Encanto Park maintains the feel of an oasis in the city, Despite its size, the park packs in diversity with amenities to please all ages. You’ll find two playgrounds, horseshoe pits, basketball and volleyball courts, picnic ramadas with grills and open grassy fields.
A paved 1.3 mile walking and biking loop encircles the perimeter for exercise, while interior trails cut through stands of vegetation. One of the park’s showstoppers is a unique sprayground and water playground, complete with geysers, sprays and splashing fun on hot summer days. With beautiful desert scenery, accessible recreation and the refreshing water feature, Encanto Park bundles it all together for memorable visits from families near and far.
Conclusion
As this article outlined, Peoria boasts an impressive system of parks that uphold the city’s commitment to quality recreation and connecting residents to the outdoors. Ranging from sprawling regional destinations, small neighborhood oases and everything in between, each park offers diverse amenities while celebrating the scenic natural landscapes that surround the city.
Whether seeking sports fields, playgrounds, open spaces, aquatic activities, hiking trails or simple relaxation – Peoria ensures there is a park tailored for everyone to enjoy. As the community grows, these parks will remain treasured places where locals and visitors alike can escape everyday life amid the beauty of the Sonoran desert.