New Fees effective January 19, 2010

In addition to parks, recreation centers and pools, Tucson Parks and Recreation offers many sites that we call Special Places. These locations add to the Tucson experience and enhance the quality of life for our citizens. Make it a point to visit them for yourself.

To reserve one of these facilities, submit a letter of request to the District Office, attention District Administrator.

Picnics, Parties and Weddings

The City of Tucson Parks and Recreation Department has a variety of facilities that can comfortably accommodate picnics, parties and weddings.

• A variety of ramadas are available for reservations throughout the City offer ample outdoor space for family picnics and parties.

• Meeting/conference rooms of varying size, many with kitchen facilities, can accommodate indoor wedding receptions and parties.

• Our golf course clubhouses are also available for celebrations; these facilities offer full-service catering and refreshments.

Contact the facility of your choice for space availability and reservations. Visit http://www.ezeereg.com/ and look under “Parks/Recreation Facilities” or contact one of our offices for more information or to make your reservation.

Weddings Udall Amphitheater, Eastside, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Rd. (85715), 791-5930 The amphitheater has a cement stage approximately 2 feet above the grass lawn that provides comfort for guests. The amphitheater has power and lights. If you are looking for a memorable and pleasant outdoor site full of green grass and trees, the Udall Amphitheater is the place to go. Ft. Lowell Park Ramada 7, Eastside, 2900 N. Craycroft Rd. (85712), 791-5930 Ramada 7 has two tables, a BBQ area, power and lights. The ramada is very secluded. A stream runs nearby for great photo opportunities. Because the surrounding area is primarily dirt, most customers use Ramada 7 for a “southwestern” style wedding.

Terra del Sol Park, Eastside, 6700 E. Calle Marte (85710), 791-5930

Terra del Sol Park has a gazebo, one ramada and a playground. Most customers reserve the gazebo as well as the adjacent ramada to cut down on the volume of other park users. The ramada has three tables, and both the ramada and the gazebo have power and lights. Keep in mind that there are no restroom facilities at Tierra del Sol. If you are looking for a very green park that has newer facilities and is nestled away from traffic, Tierra del Sol is just for you.

Garden of Gethsemane

602 W. Congress Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85745
Hours: 6 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Contact: Northwest District
900 S. Randolph Way (85716)
(520) 791-4873, Ext. 0
FAX: (520) 791-5887

Located next to the Santa Cruz River on West Congress Street, this peaceful garden was created to house the religious sculptures of artist Felix Lucero. A path with beautiful potted plants and greenery winds through the park and passes hand-sculpted images of Christ at the Last Supper, the Holy Family and the Crucifixion.
The garden is popular for weddings, quinceañeras and small parties. The garden is lighted and features electrical outlets, water fountain, and kneeling bench.
No alcohol is permitted. Access keys are required. Keys are issued upon receipt of a refundable key and maintenance deposit.

La Placita, Downtown, 119 W. Broadway Blvd. (85701), 791-4873

Located near the original San Augustin Church, La Placita contains a gazebo that dates back to the 1800s. This picturesque, historic gazebo has an adjacent grass area and is a very popular downtown location for weddings, reunions, receptions and other small gatherings. The gazebo is located near the La Placita shops, the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors' Bureau, the Tucson Convention Center and a hotel. An access key is required, with a refundable key deposit and maintenance deposit.

El Presidio Park, Downtown, 160 W. Alameda St. (85701), 791-4873

Located downtown between City Hall and the Old County Courthouse, this large, paved plaza contains veterans' memorials, small rose garden area, large fountain, various art pieces including the Mormon Battalion, the El Soldado Cuero (a statue to a Conquistador) and several pieces of modern art. El Presidio Park is a favorite location for many community festivals, political gatherings and weddings.

Kennedy Park Fiesta Area, Southwest, Ajo Way and Mission Road (85713), 791-5909

This site features a grassy amphitheater surrounded by a stage and 18 permanent vendor booths. The venue has a capacity for 7,500, with ample parking for large events.

Lincoln Park Children’s Outdoor Performance Area (COPA)

Please direct ay questions/comments: Clements Recreation Center, 8155 E. Poinciana Drive, (85730), 520-791-5787

The entire 2.5 acre is fenced with locking gates.

• The special event Gazebo covers 700 square feet, easily accommodating your celebration.

• There are two lighted shade ramada structures with eight outlets each.

• Two bathrooms are within the fenced area for your convenience.

• The shaded playground area has a fall zone with a combination of wood chips and rubberized coating.

• The amphitheater has a stage measuring 40-feet deep and 52-feet wide.

• Part of the stage amperage is available through 16,20A receptacles.

• There is 300 amperage capabilities and 120/208V 3-phase spare capacity.

Not designed for large scale concerts.

• Beer Permits are permitted – Fee $30 per 100 people

Rental times are from 10 am to 10 pm

Fees are: $180 – Resident/Non-Profit

$250 – Regular/Profit

$200 – Damage Deposit

$10 - Key Deposit

“A” Mountain (Sentinel Peak) 1000 S. Sentinel Peak Road, Tucson, AZ 85745 Hours: 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Monday- Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday Contact: Southwest District 4208 S. Santa Rita Ave. (85714) (520) 791-5909 FAX: (520) 791-5914 Want to get an eyeful of our beautiful city and its surrounding mountains? Just look for the large letter “A” on the mountain to the west of downtown. This open space, known as Sentinel Peak or “A” Mountain, is a popular lookout point for Tucsonans and visitors alike. It also hosts the City’s annual July 4 fireworks show. A gazebo, which is sometimes used for small gatherings or weddings, is located on the west side of the mountain. Picnic tables and a grill are nearby.

Cancer Survivors Plaza

Located in Gene C. Reid Park
22nd Street and Country Club Road
Tucson, AZ 85716
Hours: 6 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Contact: Parks Administration
900 S. Randolph Way (85716)
(520) 791-4873
FAX: (520) 791-4008

Located east of the 22nd Street and Country Club Road intersection. This $1.1 million plaza was donated to the City of Tucson by the R.A. Bloch Foundation.

The 1.22-acre site was built to serve as a symbol of inspiration, hope and the celebration of life for cancer survivors and patients. The colorful plaza features a “Cancer….There’s Hope” sculpture with seven cast bronze statues, 22 information pedestals and a beautiful multi-level fountain.

El Tiradito 400 S. Main Ave. Tucson, AZ 85701 Hours: 6 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Contact: Northwest District 900 S. Randolph Way (85716) (520) 791-4873 FAX: (520) 791-5887 Also known as the Wishing Shrine, El Tiradito is a small site on dirt grounds, featuring a shrine dedicated to star-crossed lovers. There is an adobe wall with niches where people place small mandas (promises) or pray for successful ventures. The shrine holds a votive candle stand. There is also a drinking fountain. El Tiradito is the site of small weddings and is frequently used for candlelight ceremonies. It is on the Historic Register and is a unique part of Tucson history.

Hi Corbett FieldRandolph Way and Camino Campestre
Hours: 6 a.m.-11:30 p.m., subject to scheduled games/events
Contact: Reid Park Operations Superintendent
900 S. Randolph Way (85716)
(520) 791-4873
FAX: (520) 791-4008

Located in the northeast corner of Reid Park, Hi Corbett Field is the March home of Colorado Rockies Major League Baseball spring training. With seating for 10,000, Hi Corbett Field features complete snack bar facilities.
Parking lot use is included with the rental of this facility.

La Pilita 400 S. Main Ave. Tucson, AZ (85701) Hours: Call: (520) 882-7454 for hours and information. An adobe building constructed in the early 1900s, La Pilita is a wonderful example of an old property given new life. It served as a home and a small restaurant for a number of years, until the City acquired it. Immediately to the south of the site are a sundial and an old fountain placed atop an abandoned well. The fountain is decorated with handmade tiles created by the children of Carillo School, who as adults still come to view the tiles they made. A mural on the south side of the building represents the legend surrounding the Wishing Shrine, El Tiradito, located to the north The La Pilita Foundation offers educational programs on Tucson and southwestern history, as well as natural history. A small gift shop is located in the building.

Presidio San Agustín del Tucson

133 W. Washington St.
Tucson, AZ 85701
Hours: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday
Contact: Northwest District
900 S. Randolph Way (85716)
(520) 791-4873
FAX: (520) 791-5887

Presidio San Agustín del Tucson is a re-creation of the northeast corner of the original 1775 Spanish presidio. It is located in the heart of downtown on the corner of Washington and Church Streets.

The Presidio complex is a wonderful mix of Tucson’s many layers of history. Primarily, it is an interpretation of the presidio (fort) building and life during Spanish times. A self-guided tour explains features including a munitions room, torreón (tower), commissary, and living space for soldiers and their families. An open Hohokam pit house is found on site, along with an interpretation of features that came before the Hohokam period.

Along one wall is a beautiful mural depicting early residents of the Presidio. A Territorial era plaza, a zaguán (breezeway), and a Sonoran-style streetscape are also part of the site. Original period row houses along Court Street contain an exhibit space, gift shop, and small meeting area. Natural landscaping that reflects the period surrounds the outside walls, as well as a remnant of a boarding house that was located on the site. Finally, the visitor can trace the presidio wall as it existed downtown by following “adobes” set along the former wall path, to experience a sense of place regarding this remarkable Tucson treasure.

Reid Park Rose Garden

Central Tucson, 22nd St. and Country Club Rd. (85711), 791-4873

The beautiful and colorful Rose Garden is located centrally located in Reid Park. The garden has a large gazebo with power and is surrounded by 101 species of roses and more than 800 individual plants. The roses and plants typically bloom in the spring (March, April) and the fall (September, October). This are is one of our most popular wedding sites.

Reid Park Lake Area

Central Tucson, 22nd St. and Country Club Rd. (85711), 791-4873

Reid Park, the City's most centrally located park, features a large lake and small pond with abundant grass and trees. The pond area in Reid Park is around the waterfall. There is no covered structure at the lake area, but you may reserve a nearby ramada.

Reid Park Demeester Outdoor Performance Center (OPC)Gene C. Reid Park 22nd Street and Country Club Road Hours: 7 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Contact: Parks Administration 900 S. Randolph Way (85716) (520) 791-4873 FAX: (520) 791-4008 From blues to classical and summer Shakespeare in the Park to dance performances, the OPC is a focal point for the community and an expression of the diversity of Tucson. Fully equipped with an acoustically tuned amplification system and integral lighting, this facility is available for rent for a wide variety of events and can comfortably accommodate audiences up to 7,000. Located in the northwest corner of Reid Park, the area also includes areas for festival booths. Reid Park Zoo Central Tucson, 22nd St. and Randolph Way (85711), 520-791-3204 - Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily The entire Zoo, with its lush grounds and meandering pathways, is available for rental after the Zoo closes to the public. You and your guests can enjoy a casual picnic, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at sunset, a buffet dinner or something more formal. The Zoo can provide complete catering services, or make your own arrangements for food, tables, chair, linens and entertainment. Zoo rentals are coordinated through the Tucson Zoological Society (881-4753, Ext. 14) or you can visit the Zoo's website at http://www.tucsonzoo.org/ Travel from the mountains of South America, through the Asian rain forest and to the African savanna in one day. Reid Park Zoo allows visitors to explore naturalistic habitats housing more than 400 exotic animals from around the world. Reid Park Zoo is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in nurturing wildlife through conservation, research, education and recreation. This 17-acre facility is involved in captive breeding programs for several threatened and endangered species. Zoo visitors and experts agree, it makes an enjoyable and educational place to spend leisure time.

Rodeo Grounds

4825 S. 6th Ave.
Hours: 6 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Contact: Southwest District
4208 S. Santa Rita Ave. (85714)
(520) 791-5909
FAX: (520) 791-5914

This 36-acre facility hosts the annual Tucson Rodeo and Parade. The Rodeo Grounds features a 175’ x 450’ arena with permanent grandstand seating, horse stalls and a museum. Although the facility is designed for equestrian use, musical concerts and auto derby bookings are regularly held there.