Yuma gets New basketball courts

Basketball Court Dedication (open to the public)

Tuesday, August 3rd at 6:30pm

Join the Phoenix Suns Gorilla and former Suns greats such as Kevin Johnson and Cedric Ceballos at the dedication of the Hoops Project regulation-size basketball court.  Thanks to a grass-roots effort, including APS and the Phoenix Suns, a regulation-size basketball court available to the public including new lights for night play is coming to Winsor Rotary Park, 20th Street and 34th Drive (between avenues B and C). Yuma Parks and Rec will maintain the park, located on the east side of the grounds. During construction, please excuse possible disruptions in the use of the walking path, and please respect construction fencing.

Gateway Park & Swimming

If you're looking for an escape from the Yuma heat and sun, Gateway park provides a nice shady place to play in the sand and water.  Just under the Ocean to Ocean Highway bridge, below the Yuma Historical Prison, you can enjoy the Colorado river, sandy beach, and shallow waters fun for playing and floating.  Located downtown, you can get there by turning onto S. Gila Street and head under the Interstate (not over the bridge).  Thanks to the I-8 overpass, much of the parking is shaded too!

The weekends can get quite crowded.  While it's a fun place, it attracts some less than desirable guests....a little shady, so if you go during the week, I recommend going with friends.  As you can see in the picture, I take my kids, so it's not that it's unsafe, but the buddy system is encouraged.

Gateway park also has a playground, covered picnic tables, and trails.  There's a paved trail that goes from Gateway park to West Wetlands that I highly recommend for a family bike ride when the weather is cooler. 

Carver Water Park

I finally made it over to Carver Water Park at 5th Street and 13th Avenue (1250 West 5th Street) .  The boys had a great time running through the water.  Water will shoot out of the ground, then out of the rings, then the whale spout and more.  The kids have fun just trying to catch up with the water.  This is perfect for the toddler who can walk/run around, but can't swim.  Plus, it's FREE fun!!!  There is a covered playground and a pavilion with picnic tables.  You could have the kids play at the playground until it gets too hot, then head over to the water play area, and finally, have a picnic lunch. Friendship Park also has a water play area.

Water Play at Friendship Park

Looking for a fun affordable way to cool off this summer?  Yuma has a couple of water parks, including this one at Friendship Park.  Enjoy the elephant, dinosaur, dolphin and more as they spray water.  There's a button to push for about 15 minutes of water play at a time.  Have you been yet this summer?

Playground in a Box to Debut Thursday

Playground in a Box to debut Thursday, May 27, 2010!
6:00pm - 8:00pm
West Wetlands Park, 2200 W. Water St. (access from 12th Avenue and 1st Street).

Yuma is one of five cities to receive $10,000 in portable play equipment.awarded by KaBOOM!, a nonprofit agency committed to creating healthy places for children to play, for Yuma's outstanding participation in their Playful City USA program.  The Imagination Playground in a Box contains giant foam blocks, mats, wagons, fabric and crates that can be assembled in a wide variety of different ways. With a focus on loose parts and natural elements such as sand and water, Imagination Playground in a Box allows children to constantly change their environment and to design their own course of play, according to KaBoom!

Following Thursday's ceremony, Yuma Parks and Recreation will feature the Imagination Playground in a Box in different programs. Parents may register their 3- to 5-year-old child for a class that will introduce the children to the Imagination Playground during a two-week class running Monday through Thursday June 14-24 at the Clymer Recreation Center, 553 S. Orange Ave.

To kick off National Parks and Recreation Month, the box will appear at the July 2 Yuma Scorpions game at Desert Sun Stadium. On July 9, children ages 3 to 13 with physical and/or developmental disabilities will have the opportunity to experience the Imagination Playground In A Box during a two hour program called "Imagination Exploration."

For more information on these two programs, registration details and future dates the Imagination Playground in a Box will be available, please contact the Parks and Recreation office at (928) 373-5243 or e-mail parksandrec@YumaAz.Gov.

West Wetlands Park (aka the Castle Park)

While Yuma has many wonderful parks, the Stewart Vincent Wolfe Creative Playground is the most impressive.  The Stewart Vincent Wolfe Creative Playground is located in the West Wetlands Park at 308 North 12th Avenue just off of 1st Street.  Commonly referred to as the "Castle Park" by many of the kids who come to play, it is a very large, open play area with a large castle and a maze of ways to climb inside.  The playground has a tire swing, 4 regular swings, 3 baby/bucket swings and 1 adaptive swing for children with disabilities, a climbing wall, at least 6 slides, a plane, a train, a jet, monkey bars and more and it's all surrounded by Pebble Flex ground cover that should allow for soft landings and easier wheelchair navigation.  

Things to keep in mind:

**While there is a restroom at the West Wetlands Park, it is not located very close to the Creative Playground.  It would be best to make sure your child has used the restroom before you begin your play.

**There is an area within the playground that is geared toward younger children and only has one entrance.  This is where you'll find the bucket swings and smaller slides.

**This is a large park and somewhat of a maze to get through. It's not uncommon to be able to see your child, but unable to figure out how to get to them.  

** There are some benches for sitting near the entrance and sides of the playground.  There are not, however, usually any picnic tables in the area.

**Recently, a sand play area was added that has faux rocks to climb on and a metal tractor scoop toy that kids can sit on and dig with.  The downfall is that this sand area is located at the behind the park on the other side of the fence.  A child would have to go out the front entrance and around to the back in order to get there.  And why there is only one tractor/digger device is a mystery to me.  It's a very popular toy and it would be great if there were a couple more.

AZ Kids Ride Free - Grand Canyon Railway

The Grand Canyon Railway discounts keep coming!  Earlier this month, I posted about their current specials for military and AZ residents.  For their new promotion, Arizona Kids Ride FREE!

The "Kids Ride Free Package" includes roundtrip train travel and two nights at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, and up to two children ride the train for free.  The price is just $450 for 2 adults and 2 kids.  Valid May 28 to August 14, 2010.  

Grand Canyon Train Ride discounts this month

Armed Forces Special Offer: Active Duty members of the armed forces are invited to ride the Grand Canyon Railway for FREE for Coach Class travel in May, 2010. Enjoy one of America's most precious destinations that you so bravely help to defend.  Discounts may be available to eligible dependents and others traveling in the party, check with ITT.

Specials for Arizona Residents: How long have you lived in Arizona and when was the last time you visited the canyon? Residents now get a special offer so you can explore Arizona at special savings this May.  Enjoy roundtrip Coach Class train travel from Williams to the Grand Canyon plus 2 nights at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams as part of this package.  The price is just $370 for 2 adults. Save $80 per couple!

Yuma Territorial Prison / Arizona Highways Magazine fundraiser

Arizona Highways magazine is teaming up with the Arizona State Parks Foundation to benefit Arizona State Parks. For every $24 subscription to the magazine, $5 will be given to a state park through the Foundation. Users get to decide which park they want the money to go to. The Yuma Territorial Prison code is VOCPYT; Yuma Quartermaster Depot code is VOCPYQ. Help support our local state parks.

Click here to get started!

Or, if you'd like to donate $5 to save the prison, but don't want a magazine subscription, click here or visit http://www.savetheprison.com/.

Bark Park dog park

Yuma's first Dog Park, The Bark Park, opened last October. The Bark Park is a 3.35 acre off-leash dog park located at 1705 E. Palo Verde Street in Yuma.  There are double entry gates, benches, trees, water fountain and doggie waste stations.  The hours of operation are Wednesday through Monday from dawn until 9:00 pm. The park is closed on Tuesday for maintenance.  


Even though they have courtesy litter bags, sometimes they're out of stock, so it's always a good idea to bring your own bag.  
Here are the rules of the Bark Park as posted on the Parks & Rec website:

• The Bark Park is an off-leash dog park.
• Park users and dog owners assume all risk related to park use.
• No skateboards, bicycles or roller-skates allowed in the park.
• Owners must remain with dogs and carry a leash in the park.
• Owners must “scoop the poop.” It is required to immediately pick up feces by using the plastic bags and garbage receptacles provided.
• Dogs must be licensed and have current vaccinations.
• Dogs must be removed at first sign of aggression.
• Dogs must be wearing a collar with identification, and a pet license.
• Puppies under four months are prohibited.
• Dogs in heat are prohibited.
• It is recommended that dogs be spayed/neutered.
• Dog handlers must be 14 years or older.
• Limit two dogs per handler.
• Children under the age of 6 are not permitted due to health and safety issues.  ALL children must be supervised carefully.
• Dogs must be leashed prior to entering and upon leaving the fenced area.
• Hole digging is prohibited.
• No pronged training collars.
• No animals other than dogs permitted.
• Professional dog trainers are not permitted to conduct business in the Bark Park without permit.
• No glass containers of any kind are permitted.
• Never allow your dog to chase children or others.
• “One Gulp” dog treats are permitted.  No bones or chew treats.
• No food or smoking allowed in Dog Park.
• It is unlawful to abandon an animal in the State of Arizona (ARS 13-2910.A1)

Thank you Jen H. for the photos!

Winsor Rotary Park

Winsor Rotary Park is located on the corner of 20th St. and 34th Dr. (34th Drive is between Ave B & Ave C).  This cute park has a pond, nice playground, large grassy area, walking trail (just under 1/3 of a mile), and a pavilion with picnic tables.

Stop by and the feed the duck.  And rumor has it there are a bunch of tiny turtles in the pond, but I didn't see them in today's drive by.

One of YumaMom's followers, Tiffany S., sent me an email about this park.  We tried to go last week, but parts of it were flooded from the previous rain storm.  I drove by it today to take a look at it and can't wait to go back with my kids and maybe meet up with some friends there.  Doesn't it look like a fun park?!

Joshua Tree National Park

Okay, so it's not exactly in Yuma, but Joshua Tree National Park is too great of a place to not visit and it's only 3-4 hours away.  We took a quick trip this weekend and I'm so glad we did!  (Although it was really cold!!)  Not exactly the time of year I'd recommend, but due to my husbands crazy work schedule, we didn't have a lot of choice.  It took us about 3 1/2 hours to get to the South entrance and we camped at the Cottonwood Springs campground right near the South entrance.  The campgrounds further into the park, like Jumbo Rock and Arch Rock, look spectacular - you could set up your tent right next to the huge rock!  But they fill up quick and it's first come, first serve.  If you head up, plan accordingly.  The boys had a blast "exploring" and climbing rocks.  The rocks are huge and have a roughness to them that make them easy to climb (they're not slippery).  Park admission is $15 per car for 7 days and camping spots are $10-15 a night.

Arch Rock

Cave paintings at Barker Dam

Despite the cold, we had a blast.  We made the trip educational too by picking up (available at one of the visitor centers) and filling out a section of the Jr. Ranger Activity Booklet that was geared toward their ages.  To finish off the trip, we stopped by the West Visitor's Center so that they could turn in their Jr. Ranger booklets and receive their first Jr. Ranger badges - plus they got a free book about a Joshua Tree - very cool!

There is still so much more to do and see and we can't wait to go back!

Yuma Conservation Garden - Open Weekends - FREE

The Yuma Conservation Garden is open on weekends November - April and there is no cost to enter.  

Saturdays from 9:00am - 5:00pm

Sundays from 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Enter just west of the Fairgrounds.

We just went last weekend and enjoyed the duck pond, antique farm machinery display, and the tortoise enclosure.  You can bring your own food to feed the ducks or buy some there.  The tortoise, Balloo, had been in hibernation all winter and just recently came out of her home.  She was very active during our visit.  There are benches along the trail and places to picnic.

The Yuma Conservation Garden also has many educational opportunities available to include lesson plans, school/group tours, and materials (microscopes, thermometers & meter sticks).  The YCG is available year-round by appointment for schools or groups.

The Yuma Conservation Garden is located at the northeast corner of Pacific Avenue and Highway 80.  The 28-acre site includes a botanical garden featuring Sonoran desert vegetation, a watershed model, a pond for wild and domestic waterfowl, and a display of antique farm equipment.  

Sanguinetti Park gets shade coverings

I got an email from Yuma Parks & Rec that said that more shade is coming to Sanguinetti Park.

Parks and Recreation is installing a shade structure for the large playground located at Sanguinetti Memorial Park, 22nd Street and 8th Avenue. There will be no access to the playground during construction, which is anticipated to be complete on or about Feb. 27.

I drove by the park yesterday and it looks like they are still in the process of installing the shade structure.  I think it can be assumed that it won't be completed by the 27th.  But the good news is, it should be complete by the time the Yuma sun starts to be the deciding factor in when and where we go to play outside.  Also nice about the Sanguinetti Park is that there are a lot of trees around.  Remember this for when it starts to get too hot.  

The large playground currently has a chain link fence around it - hopefully the shade covering is finished soon!

The smaller park already has a shade covering - yeah!!

Roxaboxen Festival

Roxaboxen Festival

Saturday, February 20th, 10:00am - 2:00pm
at Roxaboxen Park, located at 8th Street and 2nd Avenue

The festival celebrates the wonderful book of the same name by Alice McLarren. She writes about the joy of play and having fun in the outdoors using imagination.  This year, children will be building and decorating their own Roxaboxen town.  Cost is just $2 per child and that’s to cover some of the materials.  For more information, call 373-5202.

Want to know the history behind Roxaboxen?  Check out this great book!

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- This treasure of a story is about magic--the ordinary magic that every child understands: imagination. It is also a story about a treasured place: a child's imaginary town named Roxaboxen. The rules are simple: you make them up as you go along according to the whim of the day or the personality of the residents. In Roxaboxen, "Marian was mayor, of course; that was just the way she was. Nobody minded." The rules don't even have to be consistent--as long as they make sense. Speeding was not allowed by car but "ah, if you had a horse, you could go as fast as the wind . . . All you needed for a horse was a stick and some kind of bridle." With a true child's voice, McLerran uses just the right phrase or word to make the town and its residents spring clearly off the page. Cooney's brightly colored illustrations done in her classic and recognizable style etch the town and its inhabitants indelibly on the page as well as in the mind's eye. Her soft, personable little figures give the town and its story just the right feeling. This book celebrates how children and their imaginations make fanciful things become magically real and make them last forever. Don't miss it. --Jane Marino, White Plains Pub. Lib., NY

Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Painted Desert Trail

Our family enjoyed a nice hike through the Painted Desert Trail today.  This is our second time hiking the trail and I think it's so great, I want to share!  The Painted Desert Trail is part of the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge and is located out past Yuma Proving Ground close to Lake Martinez.  The trail is about 1.3 miles around (it makes a big loop) and takes you through a rainbow of colors left by 30,000 year-old volcanic activity and features a panoramic view of the Colorado River valley.  It's also a great opportunity to see desert plants and wildlife.

It will take you about an hour to get there from Yuma.  Start by heading north on Highway 95 for 25 miles. Turn west on Martinez Lake Road for 13 miles and follow signs to visitor center.  The turns are well marked, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding it. There are some huge swells in the road that make you feel like you're on a roller coaster ride (which my kids LOVE and put their hands in the air) and dirt roads past Lake Martinez Road, so if you have a vehicle with more underbody clearance, take that one.  A standard car will get there just fine, but you may want to drive a little slower. 

While I have yet to go to the visitor center, I've heard good things about it. 

The Visitor Center is open from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. From November 15 to March 31, also open Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Enjoy the exhibits, native plant garden, and watch a wildlife video.

Start of the trail.  If they're available, grab a brochure.  It will help narrate your surroundings at different viewing points. 

There are markers like this one, numbered 1-6, along the way to guide you and that correspond with the pamphlet that can educate you on your surroundings.

The trail is not too strenuous. There are a few steep parts, but otherwise it's mostly level. Not stroller friendly.

This natural column of rock is called a hoodoo - that's a fun name any kid will enjoy!

View from one of the top of the peeks.

There are other markers along the way to help keep you on the trail.

It took us about an hour to complete the hike and we paused here and there to explore.  The first time we did this trail was about a year ago and my youngest was only 3-years old and he did great....although my older one complained a bit as we got towards the end.  There were no issues this time with my boys at 4 & 6-years.

Smucker Park with 1 mile trail

In this dry, flat, barren desert land of Yuma, Smucker Park is an oasis with it's hills, trees and green grass.  The large playground has sand, slides, climbing, swings and near by shade (a must in the Yuma).  Smucker Park also has a 1-mile path that goes around the large grassy park complete with hills for a beautiful place to exercise.  The trail stays busy with walkers and runners and small groups of women can be found walking the trail together.  Grab a friend, and hit the trail.  The paved path makes it very stroller friendly as well.  Click here for more info.

Smucker park is located on Ave. A just north of 32nd St / right next to Kofa High School.