Cactus Park — Attraction in Phoenix

as a concerned parent and community member who frequently visits Cactus Park. I’ve noticed that the play structure in the playground area may benefit from some updates to improve both safety and usability for the children who use it.

Some specific concerns include:

Worn or broken parts on the climbing equipment, which could pose safety risks.

Lack of accessibility features for children with disabilities.

Outdated design that may not meet current safety standards.

No shade structures over slides or play equipment, which become dangerously hot—especially during summer months when temperatures reach up to 120 degrees. This makes the equipment unusable at the time children most want to play and poses a burn risk.

The section labeled for 2–5 year olds does not currently meet modern safety or developmental standards. It is especially unsuitable for younger children (like 2-year-olds), who cannot use much of the equipment safely or independently. This limits access for many families with toddlers and creates injury risks.

Insufficient lighting in and around the play area during the evening. Many families visit during cooler summer nights when the park remains open, and better lighting would improve visibility, safety, and the overall sense of security for caregivers and children.

Recently added workout equipment in the park is already broken and unusable. This raises concerns about the durability and upkeep of newly installed features and the need for more frequent inspection and maintenance.

Additionally- Tree Coverage: Many pine trees near the playground appear dead or dying, and even healthy ones provide minimal shade due to slow growth. More immediate solutions, such as shade structures or faster-growing, heat-tolerant trees, would help mitigate extreme heat exposure.

Several families and caregivers in the immediate community have expressed similar concerns. We have gathered their contact information and support for these much-needed updates. One local woman, who has taken it upon herself to clean trash weekly in the sand area where the children play, shared that she has previously tried to raise these concerns. Shockingly, she has found drugs and needles in the play area during her clean-ups. Her efforts are commendable, but the situation highlights the urgent need for consistent maintenance, safety checks, and community investment.

We believe that enhancing this space will not only improve safety but also foster a more inclusive, welcoming, and actively used environment for all families in the area.

Added September 24th, 2025: tried taking my daughters to this park yesterday and left immediately as there was a homeless person shielding himself with cardboard sleeping under the 2-5 year old play structure. I am hoping this park can get some special love...

2/2025 Amended review: Still a lovely park, and I visit occasionally. These days there are a half dozen or so groups of people living at the park. I visited both days over the weekend and found unhoused people camped with no intention of leaving. This park is across the street from a Phoenix police station. I am sorry for these folks but want to see them directed to shelters, not living in the park that people want to enjoy.

Earlier review: One of the lovely Phoenix parks. Some picnic tables, a public pool, kiddie play area and lots of walking paths. Sidewalks meander throughout the park and the trees are mature for plenty of shade. Two soccer fields. We go there to walk but it's very...

I'm never going here again. I've been taking my kid here for the past month. It's the only park that doesn't have homeless or sketchy people. But today, there was an older man watching my child and 2 others. It made my husband and I very uncomfortable, so we left. As we walked to the car, the man was walking behind us. When we got to the car, the man was walking slowly and sideways, facing us and watching us. My child and I got in the car, and my husband stayed out waiting till the guy was far away. He looked like age 60-70, around 5'10", slim, a white chin beard 3-4 inches long, wearing a fishing hat, gray hoodie, tanish baggy pants with pockets...