Parque de Soza Park

Historical Significance

Parque de Soza Park was originally built in 1960 and underwent a significant renovation that was completed on May 16, 2009. This renovation marked the beginning of Tempe's park renovation and restoration program, making Parque de Soza the first park to benefit from this initiative.

The park is named in honor of the Soza family, who have deep roots in Tempe's history dating back to the city's founding. The Soza family, along with the Sotelo family, were among the early Mexican pioneer families who contributed significantly to building Tempe from the ground up.

These pioneering families' work included digging canals, clearing farmland, raising livestock, and working at Charles Hayden's flour mill.

Recreational Facilities

Parque de Soza Park features a range of amenities catering to various interests and age groups. It includes a skateboarding area, which is above-ground with steel ramps and allows both skateboards and BMX bikes.

The park also boasts a splash pad, providing a refreshing water play area for children during the hot Arizona summers. For sports enthusiasts, the park offers basketball and beach volleyball courts.

Additionally, there are playground facilities for younger visitors. The park includes several ramadas, which provide shaded areas for picnics and gatherings.

Art Installation

An interesting feature of Parque de Soza Park is the public art installation. The park showcases a piece called "Peace Labyrinth" by artist Mark Lucking, adding a cultural and aesthetic element to the recreational space.