Gilbert Regional Park — Attraction in Gilbert

3/16/24 Today is Saturday and parking at Gilbert Rec Park has been closed to the general public since ~Thursday.

On Thursday, I tried to drive up to ask what was going on and security was a little hot-headed with their shouting and pointing to the exit. Security guy had no idea and just rudely told me I couldn’t enter, which I said “yes, I understand that… I’m just trying to find out what the upcoming event is.” No signs.

Security guy didn’t care…

Friday: same thing. The preparations for the event meant that the locals of Gilbert couldn’t access their own recreation public park …and going on ~3+ days now. I even parked in the dirt field and walked up to see what was going on… no signs. Just a bunch of porta-potties and they were building a big addition onto the existing stage.

So, I decided to drive by for “the event” today to see what it’s all about and the ONLY sign with ANY information out front is the one I posted with this review…

$30 GA or $65 for VIP to enter: “the event”.

To the Gilbert Parks and Rec / Town of Gilbert: please require future event companies, such as TEAM, to post signs regarding any upcoming events at our local parks. The signs should be visible from all entrances and exits and should be posted well in advance (and while the parking is closed for event preparations too).

I drove around the entire park twice today and still could not figure out what was going on…

Meanwhile, they didn’t need to shut down the park for 3+ days without notifying the locals, only to put a sign out day-of and 15’ away from the parking lot just showing the cost of entry and no other details…

It was 6:22pm and tons of people were already leaving whatever “event” was going on.

Thanks for shutting down our park for several days, posting zero signage about “the event”, and then charging $30-$65 for whatever...

This was a really pretty park. If you are going to try to learn pickleball just know that when it gets busy teams around you expect you to plan until 11 and then leave for another group to take over. This is a little difficult if you are just learning because you aren't really playing for points you're just getting the basics. Losing 11 points can go very fast when you don't know what you're doing. That being said, it's still a lot of fun and if you can get there before all slots are full, causing people to wait, it's a good spot to learn.

The little lake is about half a mile walk. There is a full mile path around the park and lake for those who like to count mileage walked or ran. It's very open reminding me a bit of Mesa Riverview Park. It is not very full of plants like the Gilbert Riparian area. Not going to have a lot for animal watchers, like bird watchers, though a few birds do come by the little water area.

There is a great place for kids, place to play tennis, and a place for volleyball. The park is very pretty and gets crowded fairly fast even after work on a Thursday.

Fish can be caught, bass, catfish, and I think rainbow trout. I'm not sure of the quantity as I haven't fished there but I believe you are allowed to take up to two fish but must throw the small ones back.

All around it's a fairly nice park with lots for adults and kiddos to do. I hope when the summer comes, they'll have some safe outdoor musical events on their small little stage. They have some thought the week midday but many are working then. It would be a great venue for those who don't have traditional 9-5 work hours.

I'd recommend the park for sure and hope...

Place is down hill my daughter took my 2 grandsons this past weekend 6 & 7 yrs olds. 7 yrs was bullied & almost jumped by a group of 9-10 yrs olds. My daughter confronted the kids, kids talked back told my daughter to "stay out of it. " Mind your own business " . My daughter told them hey respect your elders. Still talk back by these group of kids. When asked where their parents were nothing. Finally a kid brought an elderly grandmother to confront my daughter. Elderly grandmother did nothing. Then kids told parents of incident & brought 10 other females to confront my daughter in an intent to fight her. But my daughter told of situation of what kid was saying and adults were like oh, ok . As my daughter had said parents /adults present were under the influence/ drinking. At a so, called birthday party at the ramadas. And yet No. Other adults/parents present were able to assist my daughter. No police assistance was called, nothing was reported. If you are a parent that takes your child to that park and you witnessed this incident shame on you for not speaking up or calling for help. If that was your child what you would do? Humanity is at all time low. Totally disgusted. With parents there at the time and of those trying to inflict harm on an...