Peoria, Arizona is a vibrant and growing city located in the northwest part of the Phoenix metropolitan area. With its beautiful mountain views, sunny weather, and abundance of outdoor recreation, it’s no wonder so many people call Peoria home.
One of the best features of Peoria is its wonderful parks system, which provides residents and visitors with ample opportunities to get outside and enjoy nature among scenic surroundings. From small neighborhood playgrounds to large regional parks spanning over 100 acres each, Peoria has a little bit of everything when it comes to outdoor spaces.
In this article, we will highlight 12 fantastic parks located throughout Peoria and all the amenities and attractions they have to offer. Whether you’re looking for sports fields, hiking trails, playground equipment, aquatic centers, skate parks, dog parks, or shaded picnic areas, you’re sure to find a park in Peoria that fits your needs. So grab some sunscreen and a water bottle, and let’s explore some of the best parks Peoria has to offer!
Rio Vista Community Park
Spanning 128 acres, Rio Vista Community Park is one of the largest parks in Peoria. With its lengthy list of amenities, it’s a popular spot for community events and tournaments. Families also flock here to make use of the playgrounds, splash pad, skate park, fishing opportunities, and walking paths.
Key Attractions and Amenities
Some of the main highlights of Rio Vista Community Park include:
- 3 playground structures for kids of all ages
- Large splash pad to cool down in the summer heat
- Skate park with various skill-level equipment
- 4 lit tennis courts
- 5 baseball/softball fields
- 1 multipurpose field
- Sand volleyball courts
- Nearly 2 miles of walking paths
- Fishing pond stocked with catfish
- Shaded ramadas and picnic tables
With so much to see and do, you could easily spend an entire day enjoying the many features Rio Vista has to offer. It’s a must-visit Peoria park for families, athletes, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Sunrise Mountain Park
Perched at the base of Sunrise Mountain, this aptly named 73-acre park takes advantage of the scenic natural landscape. The park has an extensive trail system that leads hikers to breathtaking city and mountain vistas. Baseball and soccer fields also make this a popular spot for local games and practices.
Key Attractions and Amenities
Some highlights of Sunrise Mountain Park include:
- Nearly 4 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to moderately difficult
- Trailhead with maps and information about native desert plant life
- Benches scattered along trails to take breaks and admire views
- Ramadas with grills for post-hike picnics
- Baseball/softball fields with bleacher seating
- Soccer fields illuminated for evening practices and games
- Playground with climbing domes and slides
- Restrooms and drinking fountains spaced along the trails and fields
With gorgeous scenery and recreation for all ages, Sunrise Mountain Park is one of Peoria’s shining outdoor gems. The panoramic views of the city alone make it worth the visit.
Pioneer Community Park
Known for its elaborate playground structures, Pioneer Community Park is a top destination for families with young children. In addition to slides and climbing equipment to keep kids busy for hours, this 46-acre park has a large splash pad, skate park, and multipurpose field for local games.
Key Attractions and Amenities
Some of the most popular features at Pioneer Community Park include:
- Enormous playground with over a dozen climbing/sliding structures
- Splash pad with dumping buckets and spray tunnels
- Skate park with quarter pipes, grind rails, ramps, and bowls
- Multipurpose field striped for soccer, football, and lacrosse
- Shaded picnic tables near the playground and splash pad
- Walking path circling the perimeter of the park
- Convenient parking and restroom facilities
With interactive equipment that keeps children actively entertained for hours on end, it’s no surprise Pioneer Park is one of the most family-friendly destinations in all of Peoria. The first-rate playgrounds and splash pad make it an ideal spot to tire out energetic kids.
Lake Pleasant Regional Park
Encompassing over 30,000 acres, Lake Pleasant Regional Park is the largest recreational space in Peoria and all of Maricopa County. Managed by the Maricopa County Parks system, this expansive park centered around the picturesque Lake Pleasant provides endless opportunities for outdoor fun from boating to camping, off-roading, hiking, fishing, picnicking, and more.
Key Attractions and Amenities
As one of Arizona’s most popular outdoor adventure destinations, Lake Pleasant offers countless ways to enjoy the arid desert landscape. Some highlights include:
- 10,000 surface acres of water for boating, swimming, fishing, and paddling
- Boat launches, slips, fuel dock, and full-service marina
- Nearly 200 boat-in and hike-in campsites plus RV camping with hookups
- 29 miles of non-motorized trails for hiking and mountain biking
- 4×4 and ATV designated trails spanning over 100 off-road miles
- Sandy beaches with swimming areas and scuba diving access points
- Restaurants, convenience store, bait shop, and visitor center
- Designated no-wake areas ideal for stand-up paddleboards and kayaks
- Bird watching opportunities to spot herons, coots, cormorants, and more
With so much scenic beauty and endless recreation, it’s easy to spend days exploring everything Lake Pleasant has to offer. It provides the perfect mix of water and desert activities to appeal to Peoria residents and visitors alike.
Peoria Sports Complex
Baseball fans from across the Valley flock to the Peoria Sports Complex to catch some Cactus League action every March. As the annual spring training home of both the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners, this sprawling complex contains 4 full-size baseball fields, training facilities, and ample spectator seating. On non-game days, local athletes utilize the fields year-round for tournaments and practice.
Key Attractions and Amenities
During baseball season, the Peoria Sports Complex comes alive. Some key features baseball fans can enjoy include:
- 4 full-size baseball fields with professional dimensions
- Nearly 8,000 fixed seats plus grass berm seating areas
- Training facilities, clubhouses, batting cages, and pitching mounds
- On-site parking lots able to accommodate over 5,500 vehicles
- Concessions stands and team merchandise shops
- Walking paths connect the 4 main stadiums
- Also used by local teams for baseball, softball, and tee ball games/practice
The chance to watch professional baseball with Cactus League action so close to home is what draws huge crowds to this sprawling complex every March. But even on non-game days, it remains an important facility for local amateur teams.
Peoria Community Park
Situated along the Agua Fria River, this large community park contains a wealth of recreational amenities including lighted tennis courts, volleyball courts, baseball and softball diamonds, and an 18-hole disc golf course. Mature trees offer ample shade, making Peoria Community Park a comfortable spot for picnicking and relaxing.
Key Attractions and Amenities
Some of the features and facilities visitors will find at Peoria Community Park include:
- 10 tennis courts (8 lighted) with hitting wall
- 5 lighted softball/baseball fields
- Sand volleyball courts
- 18-hole disc golf course traversing along the river
- Shaded playground structures and splash pad
- Paved walking paths with mile markers
- Grassy areas with trees ideal for picnics
- Ramadas with BBQ grills spaced throughout the park
- Restrooms and drinking fountains for convenience
Whether you come to play tennis, disc golf, softball, or simply relax in the shade, Peoria Community Park checks all the boxes when it comes to accessibility, amenities, and scenic surroundings. The ample trees and riverfront access offer a serene backdrop for a day spent outdoors.
Rio Vista Recreational Park
Nestled along the shore of Lake Pleasant, Rio Vista Recreational Park packs swimming, boating, picnicking, and hiking access into its scenic 144 acres. This Maricopa County park overlooking the eastern edge of Lake Pleasant provides some of the best water recreation within Peoria city limits.
Key Attractions and Amenities
Some highlights of Rio Vista Recreational Park include:
- Sandy beach area with designated swimming zone
- Boat launch with 2 long lanes and ample parking
- Grass picnic areas with ramadas and BBQ grills
- Restrooms, water spigots, and beach shower station
- Hiking trail leading to views overlooking Lake Pleasant
- Volleyball court near the picnic ramadas
- Store selling bait, tackle, food, and refreshments
- Allows motorized boats/watercraft and electric motors
Whether you’re looking to take a speedboat out on Lake Pleasant or simply relax along the shoreline, Rio Vista Recreational Park offers convenient access to water recreation paired with grassy areas to lounge in the sun. Swimming, boating, picnicking, hiking, and beach fun are what this scenic waterside park is all about.
Vestar Park
Home to amateur baseball tournaments and local Little League games, Vestar Park contains 5 baseball fields all meticulously groomed for competitive play. With covered dugouts, bleachers, and concession stands, players and families flock to these diamonds that cater to serious ballplayers.
Key Attractions and Amenities
Some key highlights of Vestar Park for baseball enthusiasts include:
- 5 full-sized Little League regulation baseball fields
- Batting cages near the diamond warm-up areas
- Scoreboards and pitcher’s mounds on all fields
- Dugouts with bench seating to accommodate teams
- Bleacher seating along the baselines and behind home plate
- central concession stand selling hot dogs, snacks, and drinks
- Restrooms, water fountains, and night lighting
- Landscaping and walkways maintained for tournaments
The baseball diamonds draw athletes of all ages, from Little League to adult rec league players. With multiple fields all arranged close together for tournaments, Vestar Park transforms into a hub full of action, spectators, and concession stand smells each ball season.
Desert Breeze Park
Containing one of the best skate parks in Arizona, Desert Breeze Park is a top destination for local skaters, bikers, scooter riders, and athletes looking to work on their skills. Obstacles are available for all levels across the 20,000 square foot curvy concrete skate course. Shaded ramadas and spectator seating give the park a hang out vibe. Basketball courts and a playground round out the amenities.
Key Attractions and Amenities
The main highlights and features that make Desert Breeze Park popular include:
- 20,000 square foot skate park with beginner, intermediate and advanced obstacles
- Curved walls, quarter pipes, grind rails, concrete bowls, and ramp extensions
- Shaded ramadas for spectators to sit and hang out
- Standard basketball court with fenced perimeter
- Playground area with climbing domes and slides
- Benches situated around the various recreation zones
- Parking lot conveniently located right beside the skate park
For Peoria skaters looking to sharpen their skills, Desert Breeze Park is the ultimate destination thanks to its curvy layout catering to all abilities. Even just for hanging out or people watching, the desert vibes and industrial feel make it a popular gathering spot.
Fox Run Regional Park
Fox Run Regional Park contains a wealth of recreation options from sports fields and courts to playgrounds, walking paths, and picturesque desert landscaping. As one of Peoria’s newer parks, the facilities are top-notch. Baseball and soccer practice facilities bring in athletes while families take advantage of the shaded ramadas, irrigation-fed playground, and regional skate park.
Key Attractions and Amenities
Some of the most popular features you’ll find at Fox Run Regional Park include:
- 5 pickleball courts with optional tennis court lines
- Baseball field with digital scoreboard
- Soccer field with goals to accommodate practices/games
- Modern playground structures for both toddlers and big kids
- Splash pad featuring ground sprays, buckets, and tunnels
- Regional skatepark with a mix of street and transition terrain
- Lighted basketball court
- Restrooms, drinking fountains, and covered ramadas throughout
- Walking trails encircling the park perimeter
With first-class amenities and facilities catering to a range of ages and interests, Fox Run Regional Park has swiftly become one of Peoria’s prized community parks since first opening in 2018.
Pleasant Harbor at Lake Pleasant
Pleasant Harbor serves as the main marina and entry point to get out on the water at Lake Pleasant Regional Park. In addition to the extensive slips, boat rentals, fuel dock, and lakeside restaurant, Pleasant Harbor offers sandy beaches with designated swimming areas — making it one of the best spots in Peoria to take a dip.
Key Attractions and Amenities
Some highlights of the amenities available at Pleasant Harbor include:
- 500 boat slips with electric and water hookups
- Boat and personal watercraft rentals
- Fuel dock and pump out stations
- Boat launch with 5 paved lanes
- Sandy beach areas for sunbathing and swimming
- Designated areas for stand up paddleboards and kayaks
- Harbor Grille restaurant and ice cream parlor
- Visitor center, ship store, and restrooms
- Large parking lot with easy access to the shops and restaurants
For boat owners and water recreation enthusiasts, Pleasant Harbor provides the quintessential home base on Lake Pleasant. And even for land dwellers, the sandy beaches offer one of the best places in the city to enjoy the water.
Heritage Park
Tucked away in a Peoria neighborhood, Heritage Park offers green grassy fields encircled by shaded pathways – creating a serene spot for taking leisurely strolls. As a dedicated spot for field games and picnics, Heritage Park contains a playground, sand volleyball pit, and multipurpose field. Mature trees scattered throughout provide pockets of shade.
Key Attractions and Amenities
Though small in scale, Heritage Park packs a lot of amenities into its 10 acres including:
- Shaded walking paths forming a loop around the perimeter
- Benches strategically placed along the pathways
- Multipurpose grass field painted for various sports
- Playground with climbing domes and slides
- Designated sand volleyball court
- Several picnic tables with barbecue grills
- Drinking fountain, trash receptacles, and pet waste station
- Neighborhood location away from main roads
As one of Peoria’s most tranquil parks, Heritage Park offers a place to meander about on walking paths under a canopy of desert trees – making it the perfect spot for a relaxing escape without leaving town.
Conclusion
With 12 diverse parks highlighted here showcasing aquatic centers, hiking trails, skate parks, boating access, sports fields, playgrounds, and so much more, the city of Peoria truly has an outdoor space to suit all interests. Getting outdoors has never been easier thanks to these well-designed parks spanning across the city. Whether you have kids to entertain for hours on playgrounds, want to host a family picnic, play recreational sports, or simply go for a stroll along landscaped pathways, you’re sure to find a welcoming park to meet your needs in Peoria, Arizona.