Desert Sky Park is on the brink of transformation as Gilbert officials are working on a refreshed master plan aimed at expanding recreational opportunities, enhancing connectivity and addressing the community's demands for versatile public spaces.
The updated plan builds on the success of the park's initial phase, with adjustments to balance community needs, environmental considerations and design.
Aaron Allan of J2 Design, a Phoenix engineering and environmental design firm, first gave Gilbert Town Council a preview at council’s retreat last month. Gilbert has $115.91 million budgeted for phase 2 of the park, according to town documents.
Redesigned vision
Since its opening in late 2019, Desert Sky Park has been a community favorite, drawing visitors to its multipurpose fields and recreation spaces.
The updated master plan significantly expands these offerings, reducing the planned number of multiuse fields from 16 to 14 to accommodate new amenities, including pickleball and tennis courts, sand volleyball courts and a splash pad.
Allan said the redesign allows the town to add more typical community park features without losing the sports-focused appeal of the original design.
A park focal point is a championship field with built-in stadium seating, designed to host special events and tournaments.
Key to the park’s layout is its floodwater management system. With the park situated within a flood control basin, some lower areas are designated as “sacrificial” fields that can temporarily hold water, while core amenities like restrooms, parking and playgrounds remain on higher, drier ground.
The park’s new layout also prioritizes accessibility and connectivity.
Two new entrances from Power Road are planned, designed to ease traffic flow and support the park’s use during large events.
The town also is doing a traffic analysis to see if a third signal makes sense to help pedestrians and bikers coming from the East Valley Institute of Technology or the Arizona State University Polytechnic campus, Allan said.
Amenities for all ages, interests
The updated plan reflects community feedback gathered through more than 75 engagement events during the past decade.
By reducing the number of sports fields, the redesign accommodates a broader range of activities and amenities to appeal to visitors of all ages and interests.
An inclusive playground and splash pad will anchor the park’s northern section, complemented by new courts for basketball, pickleball and tennis.
Central areas feature multiuse performance fields with enhanced sand bases, suitable for casual play and formal events.
To cater to Gilbert’s younger residents, Allan noted the park’s playgrounds and sports courts are located near seating areas and restrooms.
“When you have older kids playing on one field and mom and dad are watching, the (younger) kids can be playing at this other field,” he said.
Community asset
Beyond sports and recreation, the revised plan incorporates unique features to enhance the park’s role as a community hub.
Other highlights include enhanced pedestrian circulation and placement of restroom facilities to improve convenience for visitors.
Challenges remain in funding and phasing construction, but Gilbert Parks and Recreation Director Robert Carmona emphasized the excitement within the community.
The public is incredibly excited about these parks,” he said, referring to Desert Sky and Gilbert Regional. “They understand the impact of what they can provide to Gilbert moving forward.”
We would like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Tom Blodgett can be reached by email at tblodgett@iniusa.org or follow him @sp_blodgett on X.
Meet Tom Tom Blodgett joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2022, when the company acquired Community Impact Newspaper's Phoenix-area properties. Raised in Arizona, he has spent more than 35 years in journalism in the state.
Community: He has served as an instructional professional in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication since 2005, and is editorial adviser to The State Press, the university's independent student media outlet. He also is director of operations for an 18U girls fastpitch softball team from Gilbert.
Education: Arizona State University with a BS in Journalism.
Random Fact: He lived in Belgium during his freshman year of high school.
Hobbies: Tweeting enthusiastically about ASU softball (season-ticket holder) and grumpily about other local sports (pessimistic fan).
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