Green Valley Park — Attraction in Payson

Green Valley Park feels like the town’s open-air living room. It stretches wide with three sparkling lakes, grassy lawns, and tall pines framing the edges, creating a space where the whole community seems to come together. On any given day you’ll see kids chasing ducks, families spreading out picnics, and fishermen casting lines with the kind of patience that only comes when the air is cool and the pace is slow.

There’s a walking path that winds around the water, perfect for a morning stroll or an evening reflection as the sun drops behind the Rim. The park also plays host to community events, from art festivals to summer concerts, and when that happens the open lawns fill with laughter, music, and the smell of food drifting from vendors.

What makes Green Valley Park special is the balance it holds. It’s quiet enough for solitude if you need it, yet alive with energy when the town gathers. It’s a reminder that sometimes the heart of a place isn’t a restaurant or a shop, but the green space where people come simply to be together.

Grateful...

There's two options for parking. If you park by the Payson Recreation office, you will get easy access to the floating dock which not only offers a nice place to stand and fish, but also gives you the best view of the lake's fountain. I thought that was all to see until I read the other reviews and I drove ahead to the next lot (or you can walk too- takes less than 3 minutes).

In that second lot, you get quick access to the sidewalk that takes you around the lake. This loop takes about 20 minutes (I didn't time myself but that is what it felt like). There were benches placed throughout to rest, and there are trees too along the path for shade. At the opposite end of the lake, across the street by the church is a small kids' playground. As you complete the loop, you pass by the Rim County Museum's historical artifacts of wagons, etc. You also can see the cabin and an old-fashioned fire-station replica (?).

It was decent, and it was a fun walk. Got to see some ducks...

Currently, 6/24/2022, the public restrooms on the south side are closed. Lets hope they get them updated because they were the only bad thing about the park. The restrooms on the north side are still open. I drive up from Phoenix because I enjoy this park so much! I noticed the Visitors Center is now open so I'll have a chance to visit it. Everyone who walks at the park treats you like a neighbor. I can sit all day just watching the birds of prey catch fish. There's lots of open space and grass for kids. The only issue is the restrooms can be dirty. I can hardly wait until the museum buildings on the east side...