The long-anticipated Paloma Community Park will open to the public on Saturday, Oct. 3.

While there will not be a ribbon-cutting ceremony due to COVID-19 precautions, there will be a virtual countdown with sneak peeks until opening day on the city’s social media pages.

“As our city continues to grow, we must be vigilant to safeguard access to our unique, natural environment while creating areas that allow families and friends to have fun and enjoy the mental and physical benefits of the Sonoran Desert,” Mayor Cathy Carlat said. “Paloma Park adds to the beauty of its surroundings and it is an absolute joy to offer an array of new and inclusive amenities to our community.”

Similar to the two other community parks in Peoria, Rio Vista and Pioneer community parks, Paloma will offer all Peoria residents a broad range of recreational amenities.

Paloma is located at Dixiletta Drive and Lake Pleasant Parkway, just south of Loop 303.

The 85 acres of initial park development include multipurpose fields, a fishing lake, inclusive playground features and splash pad, dog parks, multipurpose sport fields and lighted pickleball courts. Paloma also includes numerous hard and soft surfaced walking loops and, in the near future, trailhead access to the West Wing Mountain trail system and connectivity into the larger New River trail and surrounding open space preserve.

“Paloma Community Park is another shining example of Peoria’s commitment to providing the highest quality of life and recreational amenities to its residents,” said Bridget Binsbacher, Peoria Mesquite District councilmember. “I’m eager and excited to see Peoria families experience this beautiful new park.”

The park’s name is inspired by the unique geographical shape of the region surrounding the park that, via satellite, looks like a dove, which translates to “paloma” in Spanish. The naming process, along with the site selection, development and prioritization of amenities, went through a comprehensive, multi-jurisdictional and community-centric process.

“With more than 450 acres of open spaces, high caliber park amenities, and future direct connections to mountain and river trails, Paloma Community Park is the perfect addition to our system,” said John Sefton, Peoria director of parks, recreation and community facilities. “This park opening is a culmination of a process formalized in the 2013 Community Services Master Plan where residents envisioned and articulated the need for a new park. And now it’s here for them to enjoy.”

The park will be open daily from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. The splash pad will open April 15, 2021 as restrictions are still in place to ensure proper social distancing and sanitation for the COVID-19 pandemic.

To learn more about the park, visit www.peoriaaz.gov/paloma.

For more information about all of Peoria’s parks, recreation and community facilities, visit www.peoriaaz.gov/parks.