Pioneer Park — Attraction in Mesa

I LOVE the changes they've made here. USE SUNBLOCK!!

There's still the open space up front near Main that has grass for soccer, picnics, etc. I believe the bball courts and volleyball courts are set up.

There are slides, swings (including a 2 seater swing facing each other), a long corrugated slide with the plastic rollers, mega play structure, and a couple spider-type towers. One slide has a very high, very narrow walk way, and low ceiling at the top. I saw a lot of tall dads turning around.

Lots of other fun things to do for all ages. I usually don't go on the play structures at the parks but this one was engaging even for an adult-I'm 40. Littles will love it too! The stationary train is still there and that's pretty cool. There's also a splash pad with sun covers for protection from this nuclear AZ sun.

I throw this in for out-of-state friends: Lastly, ya have an awesome LDS Christian Temple Building across the street to the South. During Christmas, they decorate with over 1 million lights and AMAZING nativity scenes set up. They usually have a display inside the visitor center with nativity sets from around the world. There's an Easter Pageant in March/April each year. They also have a reflection pond behind the visitor center and it's a peaceful family walk with trees (they let us pick the oranges), a gazillion flowers maintained by volunteers, and lots of green grass. Very handicap accessible.

Plenty of parking. Dairy Queen SE of the park. Has picnic...

Tough to review this park because it does have a lot of neat options for children to enjoy but it's also a landing spot for the homeless and vagrants. Not to say that being homeless automatically makes you a vagrant because it doesn't. I brought my grandson here because it looked fun on the Google pics and also had a splash-pad feature which is a must on hot summer days in Az. But what the pics didn't show was its entirely surrounded by very, "VERY," low income housing which doesn't mean the quality of the tenants is any less than expensive housing! In actuality the character of the tenants is most likely far better than middle class or higher housing! While playing at the park we were not harassed by anyone or bothered by anyone but there was some seedy activities on peripheral and moments when I wished I had another set of eyes to be aware of our surroundings. Okay, so here is the brass tax, I won't return unless there is another person with me and other options are not available. Sadly, it's not worth it to travel 25 minutes to feel uncomfortable when trying to entertain my grandson and the splash-pad is small. I'm sorry Pioneer Park. I wish my review...

UPDATE: This park has had a major remake this past year and to start 2018 off the park is now reopened to the most amazing play equipment, a huge bridge that takes you up into the trees, roller slides, gigantic slides, a splash pad. And best of all they have kept the historic train. The playground is now on the West side and the Basketball courts is on the East, so they have traded places. Come see this new and improved park. .......................................................... Before: This is a large park that has history on one end and play at the other. In between there is basketball, volleyball and horseshoe courts. There is a very decent restroom. The picnic Ramada's there are extra large, perfect for large parties. There is a train that sits in the middle of the park in the large sandy play area. The train is fenced to keep children out but feral cats have made it their home with the kindness of strangers leaving food and water for them between the bars.

Some might be put off by the cat feces but I really haven't seen any feces and my kids just...