The Anthem Community Park has a little bit of everything for everyone. From a little kid playground to a splash pad, to a hockey rink and skate park, it also features the Daisy Mountain Railroad train, which was even decorated for the holidays when we visited. My kids ask for the McCormick-Stillman train park almost every day. On this particular day I decided I wanted to try a different train park and we headed up Anthem to explore.
It is a long drive for us, about 10 minutes too long for my two year olds who were asking to get out when we were almost there. This park is northern Anthem, so up by the outlets, not just a little north of the 101. (Keep that in mind when heading up there, traffic can be terrible on the I17.)
The Daisy Mountain Railroad is a 24 inch gauge railroad located in the community park at Anthem. There is 2800 feet of track, including a man made tunnel that acts as the storage for the train when not in use. Total ride lasts about 10 minutes and starts with a slow ride across the lake and through a tunnel and climbs up a hill. You get a tour of the entire park. Very lovely rain ride.
Adventure and Discovery Playground is huge! Where do I start? The 3 story playground, the tunnel slides, the climbing, the splash pad, the little kid playground, the beach, the lounge area for adults in the faux grass? Only the starting point. I honestly don’t even know what to call some of the things on the playground. Things to climb on, things that you sit on and swing around. More climbing features and more fun! This is truly an amazing playground. One of the biggest and best in the valley.
It is closed in, so kids can not easily get to the water or road or danger. However for younger kids (like my two) it is a bit much. The big kids were rushing and pushing the little kids who wanted to climb to the top of the three story structure. I was glad to have a one kid to one adult ratio so we could climb with each kid on the large structure. Then we headed to the littles playground to play away from the big kids.
Splash Pad is located inside the Adventure Playground. It has spray poles and is in the center of the play area, so if you wanted your kids to stay dry, it may not be possible. Enough to run through and cool off to continue playing at the playground in the summer. Also a good destination spot for local residents to go and enjoy the splash pad.
Then there is a whole other play area to discover! Behind the skate park and hockey rink is a second play area with a teeter totter, space machine, diggers, climbing house, swings and more swings. I am pretty sure my kids had more fun in this area and I didn’t have to worry as much about the big kids climbing on top of them or knocking them off a three story structure.
There are several reservable ramadas throughout the park. I also liked that there were benches and shaded places in the grass to stop for a snack or have a picnic. There is information for residents and non residents rentals here.
Skate park, hockey rink, pickleball courts, baseball fields, volleyball courts are all available throughout the park. On the day we were there it was perfect park weather and while there were lots of kids, nothing was too crowded. For information on reserving a field, click here.
There is a long walking trail, catch and release fish lake, an amphitheater and the Veterans Memorial rounds out the park.
Railroad Pricing
Anthem Residents: $3.50 each ticket (I.D. required); Non-Residents: $4.00 each ticket; Book of 14 Tickets: $35.00 (only $2.50 per ride?) (children under 1 ride free with a paying adult) Daisy Mountain Railroad Website Here
Monday – Friday 10am -5pm, Saturday – Sunday 10am – 6pm; hours subject to change, check website.
Daisy Mountain Railroad
41703 N Gavilan Peak Pkwy
Anthem, AZ 85086
2 Responses
Hello,
Do you know if you can use tickets from this train park at other train parks.
I talked with the lady at Anthem and I forgot what she said, but she stated they run all the same trains stations.
You can not, each place sells their own tickets.