CITY OF TUCSON TO CELEBRATE THE GRAND REOPENING OF SANTA RITA PARK
OCT. 2-3, 2026
Newly renovated park features a splash pad, playground, sports fields, and community-inspired public art
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, Ward 5 Council Member Selina Barajas, Tucson Parks and Recreation, and the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona invite the community to the grand reopening of Santa Rita Park, 401 E. 22nd St., on Friday, Oct. 2. Activities will begin at 5 p.m., followed by remarks and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 3, the Ward 5 Council Office will host a Movies in the Park event featuring "Super Mario Galaxy Movie." Activities kick off at 6 p.m. and include entertainment, food trucks, kids' activities, and more.
The reopening celebrates the completion of an estimated $8 million, multi-year renovation shaped by extensive community input, including five public meetings and three surveys that drew a combined 799 responses.
Park Improvements
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A new splash pad with shade
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A new playground with shade
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Asphalt and decomposed granite walking paths around the park's perimeter, with connections throughout
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A new plaza area for special events
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More than 300 newly planted trees and shrubs
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A new restroom near the playground
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Relocation of one existing baseball field to the park's southeast corner
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Two new multipurpose fields
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A new parking lot with access from 22nd Street
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A new irrigation system throughout the park
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New benches alongside the playground
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New grass throughout common areas and sports fields
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New concrete walkways to improve ADA accessibility throughout the park
“Santa Rita Park is an important and historic space for City of Tucson residents in the south side, including South Tucson. In 2017, thanks to voters, Prop 407 dedicated just over a million to reimagine and revitalize this important community park," said Mayor Regina Romero. “I am grateful for this grand reopening, where children will have access to a brand-new playground and our young and senior athletes will have a fresh space for their sports. These upgraded amenities and investments at Santa Rita Park are finally worthy of the residents and neighbors who were long overdue for these improvements.”
“Santa Rita Park is one of Tucson’s oldest parks. It holds a deep history and meaning for generations of families in our community. This renovation honors that legacy while creating a space that reflects the needs and vision of our community today,” said Ward 5 Council Member Selina Barajas. “From the splash pad and playground to the sports fields and community-inspired public art, there is something here for everyone. I am proud to see this beloved park renewed for our families and generations to come. I am also grateful to the residents who shared their voices and helped shape the future of Santa Rita Park.”
The project design team was Westland Resources, with Durazo serving as the project contractor. Funding for the project comes from multiple sources: $5,380,000 from Tucson Delivers Proposition 407, $1,745,000 from the City Framework, $150,000 from the Tohono O'odham Nation Gaming Grant, and $1,225,000 from Impact Fees.
The renovation also includes new public art works. In February 2024, the project's public art panel selected artist Oliverio Balcells, whose work spans murals, metalwork, and mosaics, to lead the project. Working closely with the public art panel and the community, Balcells developed a final design that includes a mosaic mural and two metal benches reflecting the history and values of the Santa Rita Park neighborhood.
“It is so beautiful to see how Santa Rita Park's newest artworks brought together so many community voices- from children to elders- to share oral histories, make art, and uncover historical photographs,” said Adriana Gallego, CEO, Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona. “The delicate tilework, colorful benches, and online recordings give homage to the families, neighbors, friends, and teams who have used this park for generations!”
Borton Elementary School students, guided by outdoor learning teacher Mikeala Jones, contributed handmade ceramic tiles that form the mural's border. The project also included an oral history effort. With help from Los Descendientes de Tucson, the artist and neighborhood volunteers collected stories from longtime residents about the park's history as a community gathering place. The project was made possible through a partnership with the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona, funded through the City's Proposition 407 Parks and Connections Bond.
 Flyer for the Santa Rita Park grand reopening at 401 E. 22nd St., decorated with colorful papel picado banners showing historic park photos and public art. Friday, Oct. 2: ribbon cutting ceremony, activities start at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3: Movies in the Park, activities start at 6 p.m. Food, music, games and more; bring splash pad gear, skateboards and lawn chairs.
About Ward 5
Tucson Ward 5 covers much of Tucson’s south and southeast side, spanning south of 12th Avenue and south of Downtown Tucson. Ward 5 is home to over 90,000 residents and has been represented by Council Member Selina Barajas since December 2025. Council Member Barajas' priorities include community-focused economic development, cultural preservation, environmental justice, youth re-engagement, affordable housing, and safe, welcoming streets and parks. Her commitment is to serve with integrity, listen with intention, and work alongside Ward 5 neighbors to strengthen our communities and our city. Connect with Ward 5 at Ward5@tucsonaz.gov.
About the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona:
The Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and funding agency with a mission to advance the artistic expression, civic participation, and equitable economic growth of our diverse communities. Through forward-thinking, accountable leadership, the Arts Foundation works to affect systemic change that fosters an accessible, diverse, inclusive, and equitable local arts community.
As the designated local arts agency, the Arts Foundation provides arts and cultural development across Southern Arizona for individual working artists, artist collectives, ensembles, and nonprofit organizations through grant programs, professional development opportunities, and public art management for the City of Tucson.
The work of the Arts Foundation is made possible through generous support from the City of Tucson, Pima County, the Arizona Commission on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Mellon Foundation, the Arizona Community Foundation, and individual donors. Our service area includes all counties and native sovereign nations south of the Gila River, including 372 miles along the US-Mexico international border in the south and along the 590-mile stretch of the Gila River, which flows west from the New Mexico border to the Colorado River. Learn more at https://artsfoundtucson.org
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