By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Tucson unveiled a more than $8 million renovation to Santa Rita Park on Friday, Oct. 2.
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The reopening drew a crowd of residents, many of whom are excited to use the new amenities.
Leslie Hawthorne Klinger, a coordinator and Friends of Santa Rita Park member, said the reopening brings a sense of nostalgia for many who have memories of the park as a focal point of their community.
“They grew up here, they took their kids here, they learned how to ride bikes here, skating here,” Klinger said.
Klinger said those memories began to fade as the park became run down with misuse over the years.
“This place had become a space to serve our unsheltered neighbors, which is OK, but it wasn’t outfitted,” Klinger said.
The park underwent was under renovations for 1 1/2 years.
The improvements include:
- A new splash pad with shade
- A new playground with shade
- Asphalt and decomposed granite walking paths around the park’s perimeter, with connections throughout
- A new plaza area for special events
- More than 300 newly planted trees and shrubs
- A new restroom near the playground
- Relocation of one existing baseball field to the park’s southeast corner
- Two new multipurpose fields
- A new parking lot with access from 22nd Street
- A new irrigation system throughout the park
- New benches alongside the playground
- New grass throughout common areas and sports fields
- New concrete walkways to improve ADA accessibility throughout the park
- A public art installation
Ward 5 Councilmember Selina Barajas said the process was important to her before she took office.
“As a resident who lived down the street from this park, I participated in all the meetings,” Barajas said.
However, Klinger said the renovation is only the first step.
“You can’t stop there. You have to make it a place where families and the community feel comfortable,” Klinger said.
Barajas said constant use of the fields and common areas, known as activation, is already planned.
“After we cut the ribbon, Monday through Sunday we are going to have a sports league here at this park,” Barajas said. “This park will bring our community together.”
Klinger said keeping families at the park is a priority and doing that requires infrastructure for safety in and around the park throughout the day.
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“Number one is keeping those groups here; they were here before, and they left because it became too uncomfortable and dangerous for their children,” Klinger said.
Officials said police have already set up patrols at the park, and Barajas has worked with local groups to identify safety needs.
“We started having these conversations as early as February with this park,” Barajas said. “Having a game plan for what’s going to happen with the restrooms, with the lighting, with everything, any issue that they have.”
Klinger has also started a new initiative called the Santa Rita Habit, which she hopes pairs with local patrols to provide extra vigilance around the area.
“It’s basically a challenge for people to come twice a week, and we have these flyers where people come out and say I came this date and I observed this,” Klinger said.
After the grand reopening, Klinger and many residents expressed their optimism about the park’s future.
“I feel optimistic. I feel like we can make this place a place that makes Tucson better, that makes our neighborhood better and makes us better as a community,” Klinger said.
Tucson Parks and Recreation officials provided a statement emphasizing activation as well.
“Santa Rita Park has always been a gathering place for this neighborhood, and we’re proud to open it back up to the community it belongs to. This renovation was shaped by the people who live here, through five public meetings and nearly 800 survey responses, and you can see their priorities everywhere you look: a shaded splash pad and playground, walking paths, an event plaza, two multipurpose fields, a relocated baseball field, and more than 300 new trees and shrubs. A great park is one that people use every day. That’s why we’re working with multiple sports user groups to bring regular games and practices to the fields, and we’re planning family-friendly activities and events throughout the year. When a park is active and full of families, neighbors, and young athletes, it becomes a safer, more welcoming place for everyone. Our goal is for Santa Rita Park to be a source of pride for this community for years to come.”
In addition to the grand reopening, a movie night and community gathering is scheduled for Saturday evening.
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