Desert Sands Park

Park Overview

Situated in the southwest corner of Avenue P-8 and 3rd Street East in Palmdale, Desert Sands Park spreads across 20 acres of recreational space. Since opening its gates in 1991, this green oasis has been a staple of community life for over three decades.

What makes this park stand out? It's the combination of cleanliness, tranquil atmosphere, and those glorious shade trees that seem to whisper "come relax under my branches." No matter if you're a family looking for weekend fun, an athlete seeking space to play, or someone who just needs a peaceful outdoor moment, this park has something for you. Open daily from 6AM to 10PM, there's plenty of time to soak in all it has to offer.

Recent Renovations

2024 brought exciting changes to Desert Sands Park, with the playground getting a complete makeover. The new Desert Sands Playground, funded through Measure AV, goes beyond the basic swing-and-slide design.

They've thoughtfully divided the playground into sections for the little ones (ages 2-5) and the bigger kids (5-12). The play structures include sensory wave seat sliders, agility pods for climbers, various spinning elements, slides, and a popular sky run zip track. The zip line features two swings, including a lock-in chair for extra safety. There's also an obstacle course that children seem to enjoy repeatedly.

You'll discover multiple slides, monkey bars, rope webs, and bumpy towers throughout the playground. For safety, the whole area is covered with fresh wood chips, and it's conveniently located near the restrooms - something parents will definitely appreciate.

Recreational Amenities

Beyond the playground, Desert Sands Park offers something for nearly every outdoor enthusiast. Sports facilities include well-maintained softball fields, basketball courts with freshly resurfaced flooring, and tennis courts that now feature pickleball lines - because apparently, pickleball is taking over the world.

Feel like getting sandy? There's a volleyball court for that. Soccer enthusiasts have fields to play on, and disc golf fans can enjoy a 10-basket course that winds around the park's perimeter. The disc golf setup is perfect if you're just getting started or working on your aim - there are just enough trees to make it interesting without losing all your discs.

For those days when you'd rather relax than compete, numerous picnic areas with tables and BBQ grills dot the landscape. The spacious gazebo area houses more than ten picnic tables and operates on a first-come basis - meant for family gatherings or impromptu weekend hangouts.

Walking and Dog-Friendly Areas

A large sidewalk loops around the entire property, creating a great circuit for walking, jogging, or running. You'll often see locals getting their steps in here - it's much nicer than pounding the pavement on busy streets.

Dog owners, rejoice! The park welcomes your four-legged friends with plenty of grassy areas where they can stretch their legs and socialize. It's become something of a community hub for pet owners, so your pup might just make some new friends while you're there.

Visitor Experience

Desert Sands Park offers a good balance between active zones and quieter spaces. You can find a quiet spot to relax or join in more active pursuits.

The restrooms are centrally located and open during daylight hours. Weekends tend to draw bigger crowds, but the park is spacious enough that it rarely feels overwhelming.

One thing to note: while the park has many shade trees throughout the grounds, the playground could use more coverage during those intense summer days when the desert sun means business. Still, with a little planning (morning or evening visits during peak heat), you can enjoy the park year-round.