Special Places

Overview

In addition to parks, recreation centers, and pools, the City of Tucson Parks and Recreation Department has a variety of facilities and special places that can comfortably accommodate picnics, parties, and weddings. Our facilities offer stunning outdoor locations, unique mountain views, opportunities to enjoy Tucson's diverse cultures, and opportunities to enhance the quality of life of our citizens.

For more information about a facility see the details below. To reserve one of the facilities, please use the contact information listed with each site.
Rental fees apply.

Clair Weeks Terra del Sol Park

Clair Weeks Terra del Sol Park

6700 E. Calle Marte, 520-791-4873, option 3

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 Terra del Sol. If you are looking for a very green park that has newer facilities and is nestled away from traffic, Terra del Sol is just for you.

El Parque de San Cosme

El Parque de San Cosme

496 W. Cushing St., 520-791-4873, option 3

Located near Cushing and Simpson, and next to the little chapel of San Cosme, this park includes a gazebo, a colorful mural, pathways, desert landscaping, orange trees, and a memorial to Barrio Viejo. A historic railroad photo exhibit sits along the pedestrian/bicycle path that follows the preserved El Paso-Southwestern Railroad tracks. The gazebo can be rented for weddings and small gatherings. A maintenance deposit is required.

Felix Lucero Park: Garden of Gethsemane

Felix Lucero Park: Garden of Gethsemane

670 W. Congress Ave., 520-791-4873, option 3

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, with a refundable key deposit and maintenance deposit.

Fort Lowell Park: Ramada 7

Fort Lowell Park: Ramada 7

2900 N. Craycroft Rd., 520-791-4873, option 3

Ramada 7 has two tables, a BBQ area, power and lights. The ramada is very secluded. A stream runs nearby for great photo opportunities. The surrounding area is primarily native desert. Most customers use Ramada 7 for a Southwestern style wedding.

Gene C. Reid Park: Cancer Survivors Plaza

Gene C. Reid Park: Cancer Survivors Plaza

Located on S. Lakeshore Ln. and 22nd St., east of Country Club Rd., 520-791-4873, option 3

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.

Gene C. Reid Park: Georges DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center

Gene C. Reid Park Georges DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center

800 S. Concert Place, 520-791-4873, option 3

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.

Gene C. Reid Park: Lake Area

Gene C. Reid Park Lake Area

22nd St. and Lakeshore Ln., 520-791-4873, option 3

Gene C. Reid Park, located in central Tucson, 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.

Gene C. Reid Park: Cele Peterson Rose Garden

Gene C. Reid Park: Cele Peterson Rose Garden

920 S. Concert Place, 520-791-4873, option 3

The beautiful and colorful Rose Garden is located in Reid Park. The garden has a large gazebo with six benches and electrical outlets which 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 is one of our most popular wedding sites. Click here for more information. The garden is closed annually Jan. 1-March 31.

Jácome Plaza

Jácome Plaza

101 N. Stone Ave., 520-791-4873, option 3

Jácome Plaza is located downtown to the south and southwest of the Joel D. Valdez Main Library. The plaza was recently redesigned to improve the landscape and hardscape areas, and, in particular, to enhance the public use of the plaza for festivals, public gatherings, special events. These improvements have provided additional walkways, lighting and circulation space, new gathering and seating areas have encouraged daily use by downtown workers. Public wireless is available in this area.

John F. Kennedy Park: Fiesta Area

John F. Kennedy Park Fiesta Area

Ajo Way and La Cholla Blvd., 520-791-4873, option 3

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 Regional Park: Children’s Outdoor Performance Area (COPA)

Lincoln Regional Park: Children’s Outdoor Performance Area (COPA)

Clements Recreation Center, 8155 E. Poinciana Drive, 520-791-4873, option 3

The Children's Outdoor Performance Area (COPA) is available for rental only. This 2.5 acre special event area is beautifully landscaped and contains a gazebo which covers 700 square feet and can easily accomodate your celebration. The two lighted ramada structures allow for food setup, more lighting, decorating and music. Because there are six outlets in the Gazebo, it can be decorated with lights for weddings, family reunions, birthday parties, or any other celebration. The COPA is not designed for large scale concerts. The COPA is fenced with locking gates; an access key is required for access with a refundable key deposit and maintenance deposit.

Morris K. Udall Park: Laszlo Veres Amphitheater

Morris K. Udall Park: Laszlo Veres Amphitheater

7200 E. Tanque Verde Rd., 520-791-4873, option 3

The Laszlo Veres 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 amphitheater is the place to go.

Plaza de la Mesilla

Plaza de la Mesilla

123 W. Broadway Blvd., 520-791-4873, option 3

One of the few remaining sites which recall the Mexican heritage of Tucson, it acquired its name after the Gadsden Purchase (1854) as the terminus of the wagon road joining Tucson to the territorial capital, then at Mesilla, New Mexico. When San Agustin, the first cathedral church in Arizona, was erected just east of the plaza, it became known as La Placita de San Agustin and was an important gathering place for locals and became the site of the annual La Fiesta de San Agustin. The 15-foot-wide gazebo was built in 1955 and is a replica of the original 1880s plaza bandstand.

Reid Park Zoo

Reid Park Zoo

3400 Zoo Court, 520-791-4022

Explore naturalistic habitats housing hundreds of exotic animals from around the world at Reid Park Zoo. The entire Zoo, with its lush grounds and meandering pathways, is available for rental for private parties, weddings, school or large group events when the Zoo is closed 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; please call the Zoo to make arrangements. Zoo rentals are coordinated through the Reid Park Zoological Society, 520-881-4753, Ext. 14.

Rosendo S. Perez Park: El Tiradito

Rosendo S. Perez Park El Tiradito

400 S. Main Ave., 520-791-4873, option 3

Also known as the Wishing Shrine, El Tiradito is a small site on dirt grounds featuring a shrine dedicated to star-crossed lovers located in Rosendo S. Perez Park. 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. El Tiradito is on the Historic Register and is a unique part of Tucson history.

Sentinel Peak Park

Sentinel Peak Park

1000 S. Sentinel Peak Rd., 520-791-4873, option 3

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. Sentinel Peak Park, also know as “A” Mountain, is a popular lookout point for Tucsonans and visitors alike and provides an expansive view of Tucson . Sentinel Peak is home to Tucson'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.

Tucson Rodeo Grounds

Tucson Rodeo Grounds

4825 S. 6th Ave., 520-791-4873, option 3

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.