Photo Courtesy City of Tempe

Right in the heat of the Valley sun lies a desert oasis that serves as a recreational hub and gathering place. Tempe Town Lake, which was initially opened in 1999, offers 25 acres of recreation space and is the only place in the Valley where one can bike, run, picnic, boat and paddleboard just within minutes of downtown areas.

The venue is a top Arizona tourist attraction; some saying it only rivals the Grand Canyon in number of visitors annually. Each year, the lake sees thousands of participants enjoying local charity runs and competitive races, and many triathlons, including the Ironman Arizona call it home.

                      City of Tempe Glow Paddles –                         Photo Courtesy City of Tempe

Early morning or evening visitors can enjoy a stroll along the water’s edge, taking a 2-mile trek from the Mill Avenue to Rural Road bridge or strolling across the new pedestrian bridge, located just adjacent to the Tempe Center for the Arts. Daytime water adventurers can cool off on the lake’s surface, enjoying kayaking, rowing and stand-up paddleboarding activities, among others. Tempe Beach Park is also home to a 1-acre splash playground, where children can cool off and parents can enjoy some respite.

Come on down – the water’s great!

Photo Courtesy of the City of El Mirage

El Mirage is the perfect place to enjoy a day full of sunshine at Gateway Park.

Located directly off El Mirage road, the 13-acre park has something for every member of the family. Multi-use fields serve as the hub for team sports, and a ½-mile path awaits runners, parents jogging with strollers and owners walking dogs on leashes.

Families can enjoy a picnic lunch in one of the park’s ramadas and then spend the afternoon playing with their young children under the covered playground or in the area’s splash park. Older children can bring their skateboards to spend time in the 15,000 square foot plaza-style park, full of obstacles for skating enthusiasts to enjoy. Dog owners can join the fun, too, as they bring Fido on a trip to the dog park.

http://www.cityofelmirage.org/index.aspx?nid=1415