Escalante Park in Tempe has a playground and is a fun, sandy place to play, plus a community center nearby.
This playground is wheelchair accessible from the east side by a ramp. There are slides, stairs, a rock wall, and a fun climbing net. Swings, cars, and excavators, oh my! I had to convince my kids to come in the shade and cool off because I couldn’t get them off the excavators. The sandy playground in the large park has no shade, so bring your sun hat, sunscreen, and drink water.
StoryWalk
Park
Escalante Park in Tempe includes a baseball diamond, basketball court, football field, softball fields, sand volleyball court, grills, picnic tables, sand playground, and the community center.
Picnic
There are shaded ramadas on either side of the playground.
Community Garden
When playing at the Escalante playground we couldn’t help but notice this gorgeous garden. I love community gardens and the value they bring to the neighborhood.
Escalante Community Garden is a garden that follows a communal model with healthy growing practices. Whether you are dealing with a shady backyard, a home with no place to garden or you need more room to grow, a community garden plot can help solve these problems.
Additionally, family garden plots add the value of neighborhood building as gardeners from around the Escalante community come to one place to grow, share stories, and learn more about each other and gardening. These are offered in communities all over the value. You can probably find one by you by looking up “community garden near me” or entering your city.
There is a children’s area with parent and child classes on Wednesdays at 11 AM.
Clark Park Garden at 1730 South Roosevelt, Tempe AZ, 85281 is another option for a local community garden in the Tempe area.
Mural by Sal Galvan.
Escalante Community Center
The community center offers a wide range of programs for everyone.
Early Childhood Programs
The early childhood education and preschool program offer a variety of organized educational activities for children ages 3-5. An emphasis is placed on the development of social, motor, and cognitive skills in a fun, safe and educational setting. Escalante also offers toddler music, art, and movement classes.
Youth Programs
Escalante offers a free after-school program for Kindergartners as well as one for youth 6 years of age through 5th grade. We also offer a youth soccer program throughout the year and a youth basketball program during the Summer. For more information about these programs click here.
Teen Program
Escalante’s Teen Program is offered throughout the year. During the Summer the Teen Program has a designated Teen Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Teen Program offers teens the opportunity to participate in Teen Leadership, play in a Teen only Summer Basketball league, go on Teen only trips, and socialize with their peers in a safe environment. For more information about Teen Programs please click here.
Above two photos courtesy of Ruth Thiem
Adult Programs
Escalante adult programs consist of a Women’s Basketball league that runs each season, an adult fitness boot camp, and open gym basketball, volleyball, and pickle ball. For more information about each program click here.
Kamp Kool
Kamp Kool is Escalante’s Summer Camp program. The Summer Camp program is an 8-week program. For more information about Kamp Kool please click here.
Youth Membership (6 years old to 5th grade):
Membership is free and gives members access to the youth gym, game room, and computer room.
Teen Membership (6th grade to Senior in High School): Membership is free and gives members access to the teen gym and teen room.
Adult and fitness memberships are available too.
Getting There
Escalante Multi-Generational Center
2150 E. Orange Street
Tempe, AZ 85281
