31. Peoria
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: Peoria has 3 pools open from Memorial Day weekend through early August daily and on weekends through Labor Day weekend. The city features the “Dive in Movie” event, which allows swimmers and their kids to cool off to a family-oriented flick in the evening. Call the parks department at (623) 773-7137 for more details.
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
33. Scottsdale
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: Scottsdale has 4 municipal pools; the Cactus and Eldorado pools are open year-round and heated in the fall and winter. Lessons are available. Call for hours.
34. Tempe
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: One of the city’s coolest features is the Kiwanis Park Wave Pool inside the Kiwanis Park Recreation Center, 6111 S. All America Way (480-350-5201). The pool season runs from the last week of May through mid-August. Fees and hours are available at www.tempe.gov/pools. The city also has a number of kiddie splash pads at other city parks.
35. Mountain View Community Center
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (602) 534-2500
Address: 1104 E. Grovers Ave.
Description: This center has 24 lighted tennis courts. Use of the courts costs $1.50 for 90 minutes during the day, plus $2.20 light fee for the same period at night.
36. Phoenix Tennis Center
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (602) 249-3712
Address: 6330 N. 21st Ave.
Description: The Phoenix Tennis Center features 22 lighted, hard-surface tennis courts. It’s best to call the day before you want to play to make reservations. The facilities include lockers and showers, a stocked tennis shop, a ball machine court, backboards, and vending machines.
37. Ymca Valley Of The Sun
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (602) 404-9622
Address: 350 N. 1st Ave.
Description: The YMCA offers a wide variety of athletics, fitness, and sporting activities, from basketball leagues and in-line hockey to swimming pools and aerobics. Locations, including the immaculately clean Scottsdale facility on Shea Boulevard, are listed on the website.
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
40. Encanto Park
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (602) 261-8991
Address: 2605 N. 15th Ave.
Description: A lush, grassy enclave in the heart of Phoenix, Encanto Park is the easiest way for people caught up in the swirl of urban life to take a breather. It’s also a spot for family picnics and recreation. There are boating and fishing on the small lake, a children’s amusement park at Enchanted Island (see the Kidstuff chapter), a lighted basketball area, tennis courts, a nature trail, golf, a playground, and softball fields.
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
42. North Mountain Recreation Area
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (602) 495-5540
Address: 10600 N. 7th St.
Description: The hiking and mountain biking hotspot is situated on and around North Mountain and covers a small section of the North Mountain Preserve. From the higher points on North Mountain, you can look down over Sunnyslope and see downtown Phoenix to the south. The rec area also offers basketball and volleyball courts, a playground, a ramada and picnic area, and restrooms. The North Mountain Visitor Center (www.northmountainvisitorcenter.org) is a must if you’re in the area. Preserve experts offer information on the history and landscape of the area. There’s a huge exhibit hall, and nature programs are hosted regularly.
43. Phoenix Mountains Park & Recreation Area
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (602) 262-7901
Address: 2701 E. Squaw Peak Dr.
Description: Like Camelback, North, and South mountains, the rugged landscape around Squaw Peak (Piestewa Peak) at the south end of Phoenix Mountains Preserve makes for outstanding urban trail outings. It’s almost like being outside the city. The Summit Trail and other trails attract hundreds of people daily. You’ll see athletic types running up trails that you find difficult to walk, so there’s something for everyone. The cul-de-sac trailhead area includes picnic ramadas.
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 10919 S. Central Ave.
45. Thunderbird Conservation Park
City: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (623) 930-2820
Description: Thunderbird Park boasts 1,185 acres that offer great views of the Northwest Valley. The natural desert foothills area includes nearly 15 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian paths; 15 covered picnic areas with grills; and wildlife-viewing blinds. There are 50 different bird species viewable from the park.