As one of the fastest growing cities in Arizona, Chandler offers an impressive selection of parks for residents and visitors to enjoy. From small neighborhood play areas to vast regional parks encompassing hundreds of acres, Chandler’s parks provide plenty of opportunities to get outside and be active.
| Park Name | Features |
|---|---|
| Veterans Oasis Park | Over 100 acres, lake, walking paths, fishing piers, picnic areas, kayak/canoe rentals, skate and bike parks, tennis courts. |
| Tumbleweed Park | Over 200 acres, manmade lake, swimming pool, sports courts, hiking trails, playgrounds, dog park. |
| Mesquite Groves Park | 225 acres, 52-acre lake, hiking trails, wildlife viewing, fishing piers, playgrounds, picnic areas. |
| Chandler Heights Wetlands | 50-acre wetland preserve, ponds, trails, botanical gardens. |
| Arrowhead Meadows Park | Skate plaza, BMX track, basketball courts, volleyball nets, aquatic center, multi-use trails. |
| Nozomi Park | 14 acres, playground, sculpture garden, tai chi court, sport and game courts. |
| Desert Breeze Park | 60 acres, fishing lake, walking paths, dog park, sports fields, performing arts stage. |
| Folley Memorial Park | Baseball stadium, basketball arena, soccer fields, tennis complex, aquatic center, indoor facilities. |
| Chandler Square Plaza Park | Public art, shaded seating, interactive fountain, hosts seasonal events. |
| San Marcos Park | Adjacent to golf course, paved multi-use path, interpretive signs. |
| Folley Park | Playgrounds, sports fields, walking paths, basketball, tennis, sand volleyball courts. |
| Desert Springs Park | 20 acres, water channel, walking paths, playgrounds, picnic spots, sport courts, dog run. |
Here are 12 of the top parks and recreational spaces in Chandler.
Veterans Oasis Park
Name and Location: Veterans Oasis Park in Chandler, Arizona
History and Significance: Large city park featuring a lake, wetlands, and astronomy observatory. Named to honor veterans.
What to Expect: Lake activities, playgrounds, athletic fields, walking trails, observatory stargazing.
Visitor Information: Open daily, free admission. Some amenities have fees.
One of Chandler’s premier regional parks, Veterans Oasis Park spans over 100 acres near the heart of the city. The park contains a 20-acre lake surrounded by walking paths, fishing piers, and picnic areas. Rent a kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard to explore the water. Two off-leash dog parks provide space for pets to play.
Veterans Oasis also features skate and bike parks, tennis and racquetball courts, sand volleyball pits, and a large playground. Seasonal amenities include a splash pad to cool off during summer. With diverse recreational facilities, Veterans Oasis Park has something for everyone.
Tumbleweed Park
Name and Location: Tumbleweed Park in Chandler, Arizona
History and Significance: Community park opened in 2001 featuring a recreation center.
What to Expect: Playgrounds, sports fields/courts, swimming pool, fitness center, skate park.
Visitor Information: Open daily, free entry. Recreation center has fees.
As Chandler’s largest regional park, Tumbleweed Park contains something for every age and interest. At over 200 acres, the park features a manmade lake for fishing and boating, open grass fields, a swimming pool, sports courts and fields, hiking trails, playgrounds, and a dog park.
The tree-filled park provides plenty of shade for picnics and relaxation. Visitors can play disc golf on the 18-hole course, exercise along the paved walking path, or enjoy the amusement rides and mini train at Tumbleweed Ranch. With diverse amenities, Tumbleweed Park is a popular gathering place for Chandler residents.
Mesquite Groves Park
Name and Location: Mesquite Groves Park in Chandler, Arizona
History and Significance: Large park featuring a historic farmstead, lakes, and aquatic center.
What to Expect: Fishing, swimming, fitness center, historic exhibits, playgrounds, trails.
Visitor Information: Open daily, free entry. Some amenities have fees.
Nature takes center stage at Mesquite Groves Park, where 225 acres of lush desert and grasslands surround a 52-acre lake. Hiking trails loop around the water and also traverse the adjacent Mesquite Groves golf course, offering excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.
Go fishing from one of several piers jutting into the lake. Other park amenities include playgrounds, ramadas, picnic areas, and sports courts. The peaceful setting surrounded by greenery provides a serene natural escape in the heart of Chandler.
Chandler Heights Wetlands
Name and Location: Chandler Heights Wetlands in Chandler, Arizona
History and Significance: Constructed wetlands providing wildlife habitat and recreation.
What to Expect: Nature trails, wildlife viewing, educational programs, picnic areas.
Visitor Information: Trails open daily, free entry. Center open limited hours.
Chandler Heights Wetlands offers a uniquely scenic natural oasis within the city. The 50-acre park contains multiple ponds that attract a variety of birds and wildlife. Meandering trails and boardwalks wrap around the ponds and wetlands, providing great viewing opportunities.
Botanical gardens showcase lovely flowering plants and cacti. As Chandler’s only wetland preserve open to the public, Chandler Heights provides an urban escape into nature with its scenic trails, lush vegetation, and wildlife.
Arrowhead Meadows Park
Name and Location: Arrowhead Meadows Park in Chandler, Arizona
History and Significance: Large community park opened in 2005.
What to Expect: Playgrounds, volleyball courts, baseball fields, trails, picnic ramadas.
Visitor Information: Open daily, free admission.
For sports and aquatic recreation, Arrowhead Meadows Park delivers. The park contains a skate plaza, BMX track, basketball courts, volleyball nets, and a playground to keep kids busy. Adults flock to the aquatic center with lap and leisure pools along with a splash playground.
The extensive multi-use trail system crisscrosses the park, providing space for walking, jogging and cycling. Picnic ramadas, grills, and lighted fields offer spaces to gather. With many active amenities, Arrowhead Meadows Park is perfect for fitness and family functions.
Nozomi Park
Name and Location: Nozomi Park in Chandler, Arizona
History and Significance: Japanese heritage park opened in 2001, celebrating Chandler’s sister city.
What to Expect: Japanese garden, tea house, pagoda, cultural demonstrations.
Visitor Information: Open daily, free entry. Tea house open certain days.
Centrally located near downtown Chandler, Nozomi Park packs a lot of recreation into 14 acres. At the entrance, the playground captures kids’ attention with slides, swings, and climbing structures. Wander the sculpture garden dotted with artistic pieces then practice tai chi on the designated court.
Multiple sport and game courts provide spots for tennis, basketball, sand volleyball, and more. Turfed multi-use fields work for soccer games and free play. With diverse amenities, Nozomi Park entertains all ages.
Desert Breeze Park
Name and Location: Desert Breeze Park in Chandler, Arizona
History and Significance: Large family park opened in 2001 with an aquatic center.
What to Expect: Playgrounds, skate park, volleyball, pools, water slides, lazy river.
Visitor Information: Open daily, admission fee for aquatic center.
Situated on 60 acres adjacent to freeways and business parks, Desert Breeze Park provides a welcomed reprieve from the surrounding bustle. The park features a fishing lake lined with walking paths, picnic ramadas, and green open space.
One of Chandler’s best dog parks gives pets room to roam off-leash. Desert Breeze also contains numerous sports fields and courts, a playground, and a performing arts stage. Visitors will find recreational variety along with scenic desert views when visiting this neighborhood park.
Folley Memorial Park
Name and Location: Folley Memorial Park in Chandler, Arizona
History and Significance: Historic park with a museum in a 1928 schoolhouse.
What to Expect: Playground, sports fields, historic exhibits in Folley Memorial Museum.
Visitor Information: Park open daily, museum open weekends. Free entry.
Baseball takes center stage at Folley Memorial Park, home to spring training for the Arizona Diamondbacks MLB team. When not used for preseason play, the park contains a baseball stadium, basketball arena, soccer fields, tennis complex, walking paths, and a playground.
The aquatic center provides year-round swimming and slides. Indoor facilities house basketball courts, a climbing wall, game rooms, gymnastics area and more. For indoor or outdoor sports and activities, Folley Memorial Park delivers.
Chandler Square Plaza Park
Name and Location: Chandler Square Plaza Park in downtown Chandler, Arizona
History and Significance: Urban plaza park in the heart of downtown Chandler.
What to Expect: Open gathering space, walking paths, lawn areas, shade trees, seating.
Visitor Information: Open daily, free admission.
As Chandler’s first designated park space, Chandler Square Plaza Park occupies a prominent piece of land in the civic center. Historically known as Concord Park, the 1.6 acre park got its current name after a redesign in the early 2000s.
Visitors now enjoy public art displays, shaded seating areas, and an interactive fountain that entertains kids. Seasonal events like craft fairs and music performances keep the plaza lively. With its central location and distinctive features, Chandler Square Plaza Park makes an ideal meeting spot downtown.
San Marcos Park
Name and Location: San Marcos Park in Chandler, Arizona
History and Significance: Large family-friendly park opened in 1957.
What to Expect: Playground, tennis courts, basketball, baseball field, picnic areas.
Visitor Information: Open daily, free entry.
Stretching along a half-mile of downtown Chandler, San Marcos Park parallels and enhances the scenic San Marcos golf course. Golfers take in lush green vistas, while park visitors follow the paved multi-use path that winds through the grounds.
Benches provide spots to pause and admire the scenery. Interpretive signs share area history. With its beautiful natural scenery in an urban setting, San Marcos Park is a cherished open space connecting downtown Chandler.
Folley Park
Name and Location: Folley Park in Chandler, Arizona
History and Significance: Neighborhood park opened in 1963 with a community center.
What to Expect: Playground, basketball court, ball fields, walking path, recreation center.
Visitor Information: Park open daily, recreation center open limited hours.
Families flock to Folley Park with its impressive playgrounds, sports fields, and shady ramadas ideal for picnics and parties. Kids love the playground’s climbing structures, ziplines, and splash fountains.
Wander the tree-lined walking paths encircling expansive grass fields frequently used for soccer practice and casual games. Basketball, tennis, and sand volleyball courts give teens and adults recreation options. With amenities for all ages, Folley Park is a lively community gathering space on weekends.
Desert Springs Park
Name and Location: Desert Springs Park in Chandler, Arizona
History and Significance: Newer park opened in 2008 with a skate park.
What to Expect: Skate park, playground, lighted sports fields, ramadas, walking trail.
Visitor Information: Open daily, free entry.
New neighborhood park Desert Springs Park gives east Chandler families 20 acres to explore and enjoy. The park surrounds a winding water channel lined with walking paths, playgrounds, picnic spots, and gazebos.
Sport courts for basketball, tennis, and pickleball provide activity. An off-leash dog run gives pets play room. Plentiful ramadas with grills create spaces for gatherings. As it matures, Desert Springs Park will become an increasingly valued community recreation site.
Conclusion
From neighborhood play areas to vast regional multi-use parks, Chandler offers an impressive selection of outdoor recreation facilities. Parks like Veterans Oasis, Tumbleweed, and Arrowhead Meadows contain amenities for all ages and abilities to stay fit and have fun.
Quieter natural spaces like Chandler Heights Wetlands and Mesquite Groves showcase the native environment with walking trails. And historic parks like San Marcos and Concord Park provide downtown open space. Chandler’s diverse parks truly offer something rewarding for every outdoor enthusiast.