First phase of Peoria's 120-acre Paloma Community Park opens Saturday as the city's largest. Here's what to expect
Joshua Bowling
The first phase of Peoria's new 120-acre Paloma Community Park will open in far north Peoria on Saturday after nearly a year and a half of construction.
The park, off Dixiletta Drive and Lake Pleasant Parkway just south of Loop 303, will be the northwest Valley suburb's largest. It will be open daily from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
"As our city continues to grow, we must be vigilant to safeguard access to our unique, natural environment while creating areas that allow families and friends to have fun and enjoy the mental and physical benefits of the Sonoran Desert,” Mayor Cathy Carlat said in a statement.
What you'll find at Paloma
Saturday marks the opening of the park's first phase, which is 85 acres and will include:
- A fishing lake.
- Multipurpose fields and multipurpose sports fields.
- Inclusive playground space.
- Splash pad.
- Dog parks.
- Lighted pickleball courts.
- Walking trails.
- Restrooms and parking.
The splash pad won't open until April 15, because of social distancing regulations.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the city's Facebook page has shared early looks at the park before Saturday in lieu of a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
A second phase of the park — which is about 35 acres could include more walking trails, an area for drone piloting, another lighted ball field, more parking and restrooms and an area for skating — does not yet have a groundbreaking date.
Paloma is city's 3rd big park
Peoria has a few dozen parks, but Paloma will only be the city's third to offer extensive amenities and is positioned to serve the city's rapidly growing north end.
Paloma will be Peoria's third community park, joining Rio Vista Community Park, north of Thunderbird Road between Loop 101 and 91st Avenue, Pioneer Community Park, off 83rd Avenue between Olive and Northern avenues.
Paloma will be more than double the size of Rio Vista and nearly 40 acres larger than Pioneer.
The word "paloma" means "dove" in Spanish. The park's name came from the area's mountains, which look like a dove's wings when seen from above.
Reach reporter Joshua Bowling at jbowling@azcentral.com or 602-444-8138. Follow him on Twitter @MrJoshuaBowling.
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