Take a break on Marvelous Meyer

Just south of the Convention Center — where the Barrio Viejo starts — after you walk past the historic Teatro Carmen, Meyer Avenue looks uninviting. There's some dilapidated fencing, a block-long vacant lot, and lots of Tucson-strength sun. Keep walking.

Another block or two south are some fun residences. You'll pass a private museum with a dreamy mural on the south side.

A bit farther south is another mural showing the history of the Barrio.

Halfway between 17th and 18th Streets, on the shady west side of the street, is a perfect place to rest and take in the neighborhood — which, by now, has changed from looking like old Tucson to looking like modern-emulating-old Tucson. The architecture is modern. Look up and you'll see a mural/sign ”La Frontera”. (Click there to see photos of the mural being made, and a close-up taken from the height of the mural, on the Tucson Murals Project blog.)

Underneath is a mosaic-topped bench:

(I used my favorite free Photoshop-like editor, GIMP, to darken the sunny spot at the bottom between the left and middle edges.)

Location: Between doors to 630 and 648 South Meyer (I couldn't find an address for the building it's on, though I told Google Maps my guess of 640).

Hours: Daylight hours, I guess, though it might be interesting on a warm summer night. (The street is quiet. Please respect neighbors by being quiet yourself; thanks.)

Parking: Street parking (If you drive, you can park near this spot. If you walk from the north, there's no free parking near the Convention Center.)

Shady benches and Little Free Library

In the El Monte Neighborhood is this spot. It's shaded from the hot western sun. A Little Free Library is stocked with books; if you'd like to share, bring one along.

Location: A block west of Alvernon between Calle de Soto and Calle Ensenada

Parking: Parking along El Camino Del Norte is a tight squeeze. There's some parking in front of the homes on side streets.

Hours: Daylight hours

Bike Church

This is probably the smallest pocket park on this blog (so far). It's the Bike Church, built to honor bicyclists — mostly ones killed in traffic accidents.

Only a few people can fit inside. (If you feel like kneeling, there's nowhere except on the floor…)

The photos above are from 2010. Since then, the church is now on a concrete pad with other park-like features around it. Here's the area on September 28th. A path from the north side:

A little garden, bike rack, bench, an an area covered with brick:

Now the church is sitting on a platform instead of on the ground. Here's the view from the entrance:

This shows a bicycle along the wall with shadows from sun shining through the stained glass:

Location: North of downtown on Granada, just south of the railroad tracks.

Parking: A parking lot behind the church or along Davis Street.

Hours: There are a couple of streetlights in the area, but you'll probably want to come while it's sunny so you can see the stained glass.

Desert Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian Church

David Aber told me about this spot — on the east side of town, near 22nd & Harrison. It's almost three acres (350 x 350 feet) of desert environment with dirt paths, benches, foot bridge, ramada, fire pit, maze/labyrinth, and a multi-sided column with messages in several languages. He visits often because it's a great place for wildflowers. But he also points out that the only shade is under the ramada, and there's no water. David sent these photos to give you a good idea of the place.

Here's the column and some benches for contemplation:

David wrote that it “has two words on the side that I photographed — Dodolimdag and Vrede. Dodolimdag is Pima/Tohono O’odham meaning peace. Vrede is Dutch, also meaning peace. Presumably, the other sides also have words meaning peace.”

Views of the rest of the parklet:

Thanks so much, David!

Location: Southeast of the church buildings and parking lot. Directly south of Saguaro Eastside Medical Group at 9302 E. 22nd. Here's a Google satellite view.

Parking: You can use the church parking lot, though it might be polite to leave spaces for churchgoers during services and other events. (The church website is immanuelpc.org.) During weekends, you can also use the Saguaro Eastside Medical Group, then walk south into the parklet; there's easy access to the trails from there.

Hours: Always open, but no light at night… and, as David points out, desert critters (like rattlesnakes) may be visiting at night, too. (Still: Walking a labyrinth under the full moon can be magical — especially on a warm summer evening.)

A pocket park in your complex

As I've mentioned before, your neighborhood can set up a parklet to bring neighbors together… or just sit yourself… at almost no cost, with much benefit.

Here's a photo of a little spot at a friend's apartment complex that sits next to a former dumpster pad. It used to be desolate; now it's a pleasure:

Pima County Extension

The Rillito River has paths for biking and walking (and horseback riding and…) along most of both its sides in the Tucson area. Though there are benches and shady spots, a special spot is southeast of the junction with Campbell Avenue: the gardens (and more) at Pima County Extension:

Pose as farmers or veggies (I added the red arrows)... though I'm not sure if selfie sticks work here:

You'll find benches and picnic tables among the gardens:

Last but not least, there's a tile mural near the entrance. Click there to see it on the Tucson Murals Project blog. I took the photos during one of the twice-monthly Saturday morning tours May 14th.

You can read more about the gardens, and one of the Saturday tours, in the Arizona Daily Star article Tucson's hidden glorious gardens are open to all.

Location: Entrance is east of Campbell, across the street from the Trader Joe's parking lost.

Parking: Limited. The parking lot for the Rillito River trail is nearby. You might try the parking lot at the shopping center's parking lot — or walk along the river from one of the other spots.

Hours:The office is open 7:30-4:30 weekdays. After 5pm the gate to the parking lot may be closed, and you can park in the Rillito lot… but it may not be safe (there have been break-ins). The office (and parking lot) are are also open some Saturday meetings.

Alfonsa McKenna-Luis Redondo Park

Though the solid fences and walls around this parklet may look a bit forbidding, they actually make it a safe place to bring kids — or your whole family:

David Aber (who also contributes to the Tucson Murals Project blog) visited on December 28th. He wrote “It’s the nicest pocket park that I’ve seen. It has a basketball court, a playground and a covered picnic area with charcoal grills.”

This plaque along 5th Avenue, next to the park entrance, tells a bit of the story:

These photos are by David Aber. The park walls are lined with murals, inside and out; you can see them on today's McKenna Park entry on the Tucson Murals Project blog.

Thanks, David!

Location: 2020 S. 5th Avenue (more accurately: Just north of the alley, west of 5th Avenue between South 30th & 31st Streets)

Hours: When the gate is unlocked. At night, there are lights along 5th Avenue, inside the park, and along the alley south of the park.

Parking: Street parking along 5th Avenue and 30th Street.

Sit a while at 36th & Kino

Here's a little spot that's not worth a long drive to reach. But if you're visiting the (soon-to-be) UA Tech Park at The Bridges, or you want a place to take a break on a bicycle ride, this bench surrounded by desert plants might be just what you're looking for:

Walk south a minute or two and you'll be at a series of tile murals. (Click there to see them on the Tucson Murals Project blog.) Across the street, behind the library, is the larger Quincie Douglas Park.)

We're still short on new pocket parks. I'll keep looking! And please feel free to suggest one.

Location: Southwest corner of 36th Street & Kino Parkway

Hours: 24 hours

Parking: Across 36th, next to Quincie Douglas library.

Your own parklet

Like pocket parks? Why not get together with your neighbors — or your neighborhood association — and make a special spot? It can be more than a place to relax… it can bring neighbors together.

A bench like this one is a good start. One neighborhood has a simple group of outdoor chairs on the “traffic-calming” circle in an intersection of their quiet streets.

If you make a parklet in your neighborhood, please let me know about it (if you'd like to spread the word, that is). You can reach me through the TucsonArt.info comment form.

By the way, there's a little tile mural at the south end of Tucson Boulevard — a very short walk away. Click there to see it on the Tucson Murals Project blog. Also check out the beautiful garden-covered mailbox at 1521 Bristol Avenue (on the Tucson Mailbox Art blog).

Location: Southeast corner of Tucson Blvd. and Warwick Vista, one block south of 22nd Street.

Hours: Daytimes

Parking: Street parking.

Hunting for parklets

I didn't come across any new small parks during December, so I don't have any to post here for January. I've done some searching online and found a few places to check out. If you know of a pocket park that isn't on this list — which is open to the public without payment — I'd be glad to pass your tips on to other readers. You can reach me through the TucsonArt.info comment form.

See you next month!

Take a break at Grant-Campbell Park(let)

Just northwest of the traffic-clogged Grant-Campbell corner is this patch of green:

Logically enough, its official name is Grant-Campbell Park. Thanks to sponsor U of A Phi Delta Chi (the professional pharmacy fraternity - Alpha Nu Chapter), you can pull over here on your bike — or park on a side street from your car — to catch your breath along a busy ride.

Location: Northwest corner of Grant & Campbell

Parking: Street parking on Edison Avenue just northwest of the park

Hours: You'll probably like daylight more than the distant nighttime streetlights and car headlights along Grant, just south

Peaceful corner at Govinda's

Maybe you've come to Govinda's to chow down on their vegetarian buffet or for one of the festivals. (For more about Govinda's, see the ISKCON website.)

Besides the outdoor patio near their buffet — which doesn't count as a parklet because it's a restaurant seating area — head toward the back (north) side of the parking lot to find an aviary and koi pond with some benches and stones for sitting. It makes a nice place to relax before or after a meal — or even if you just want to stop by for a complete change of scene. (I wouldn't suggest spending a long time here unless you check with the people who live at Govinda's. This small space is next to private residences. If you love this little spot, you could always book some time in their guest cottage.)

Location: Just east of 1st Avenue, north of Glenn

Parking: Small parking lot, but street parking just outside the entrance on Blacklidge is kind to other visitors

Hours: Lunch through dinner unless you're staying overnight

Labyrinth at Unity of Tucson

There are lots of labyrinths around Tucson; we can't list them all here. (If you'd like to find others, try the Worldwide Labyrinth Locator.) As Unity's website says, “Unity of Tucson is a Church, School, Bookstore, Wedding Chapel, Health Ministry, and a House of Worship...”

Along the middle of their north-most parking lot (which is graveled) is a sign welcoming you to the labyrinth and asking for quiet. At times when the parking lots aren't emptying or filling, it's definitely quiet.

If you aren't familiar with labyrinths: A labyrinth is a place for meditation… for some people, it's a holy journey. As you walk very slowly around, step by step (it's not a maze; there's only one path through), noticing the details along the way can help make your time there more meditative. For instance, Unity's mural is lined with small colored tiles and some hearts. There's more about labyrinth walking at Walking the Labyrinth: Labyrinth Walking for Spiritual Exercise.

Location: 3617 N. Camino Blanco (south of River Road between Swan and Craycroft), north of gravelled north parking lot

Parking: Parking lots south of labyrinth

Hours: Daylight hours (though it's also magical at night, with a flashlight and city lights in the distance... no other lighting). It's hot out here in the summer, so early mornings or evenings may be best then.

Plaza Palomino

Although Plaza Palomino is a shopping center, it's also a place with benches for sitting (many of them shady at different times of day):

There's a fountain in the middle of the complex:

There are also restrooms, a drinking fountain, and plenty of shops to browse if you'd like.

Location: Southeast corner of Swan & Fort Lowell (not Camp Lowell)

Hours: Business hours (into the evenings when the restaurant — currently closed — is operating)

Parking: Lots on north and south sides (south lot is bigger)

Women's Plaza of Honor

The University of Arizona campus has lots of surprises scattered around (and in) its buildings. Between Centennial Hall and the south side of the Arizona State Museum — just inside the Main Gate, southeast of University & Park — is a long, narrow memorial to Arizona women. (It's also lined with shady spaces — including benches hidden under cool, spreading trees.) You'll probably see the north end first:

That's one of three parts — north, Youth Plaza; center, Maturity Plaza; and south, Seniority Plaza — representing three stages of a woman's life.

As you can see above, the Youth Plaza is a series of arches supported by columns with curved sides. Each arch describes the women memorialized below it. For instance, the arch inscribed Women Lawyers … Women Leaders has two lists of women's names below it, one on each column. Here's one of the two:

The whole plaza is lovingly documented on its website, womensplaza.arizona.edu. There — among many other things — you can look up an honoree by her name (on the Women Honored list) or see lists of the Youth Plaza arches and the women listed under each (for instance, Women Lawyers … Women Leaders).

The central part, Maturity Plaza, is lined with low walls topped by tile mosaics like this:

The plaza was dedicated in 2005:

Location: See first paragraph above

Hours: 24 hours

Parking: Street parking along University Blvd. west of Park Avenue, campus parking.

Fixed location for El Parque de Orlando y Diego Mendoza, and others

The other two blogs I contrubute to, The Tucson Murals Project and Tucson Mailbox Art, have a place near the bottom of each entry that gives its location. You can click on that location to get a Google map.

I've filled in the location box most times I've made entries here on the Tucson's Pocket Parks blog. But today I discovered that the location info hasn't been appearing as it does on the two other blogs. I just fixed that this morning. So, although this particular entry you're reading just now doesn't have a location to click (because this entry isn't about a particular place), most of the others should.

If you'd like an example, have a look at the end of our February, 2015 entry 8 x 18.

See you next month!

Miramonte Park(let)

This place is called a “park,” but I'd call it a pocket park. It's packed with benches, a table with a checkers-chess board, a sandbox, a quote by Emerson along the winding sidewalk, and a Little Free Library at the street corner.

Location: Just southwest of Speedway & Alvernon at the corner of 3rd & Richey

Hours: Daylight hours (I didn't see any lighting in the park)

Parking: Street parking

Aviation Bikeway parklets

Just north of the high-speed road that connects downtown Tucson with Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is a separate path that does the same thing for bicyclists (and pedestrians, and skateboarders, and...). Starting from the west end, you can pick up the path just east of the 4th Avenue railroad underpass and south of the Hotel Coronado. A bit farther east are the Iron Horse park(lets). You'll cross the Rattlesnake (Diamondback) Bridge and the Basket Bridge (here's an article with a great series of photos in the November 15, 2007 article Basket Bridge to be dedicated Friday).

Just after the Basket Bridge, you'll cross the end of Park Avenue and be at the first pocket park. It has a drinking fountain, benches, a bike rack, and shade (although there's no shade for the few colder months that the trees don't have their leaves):

Next stop is at Highland Avenue. There are bike racks, benches and shade, but the water fountain was either shut off or broken when I rode by on January 24th:

A bit farther east is the pocket park under Kino Parkway at 18th Street and Vine Avenue, with a drinking fountain, benches, a bike rack, and often a lot of shade from the overpass. A quiet homeless man is often here with his grocery cart; I took the photo from a distance so I didn't disturb him:

The shadiest spot along the bikeway — maybe not counting Eastmoor Park — is at Wilson Avenue. It also has a drinking fountain, bike racks and benches:

The next stop isn't a pocket park; it's a bigger park, Eastmoor Park, at the south end of Bristol Avenue. It has picnic tables, a water fountain, a bike rack, shade (thought not at the tables), and some mosaic murals next to the bikeway. There are photos on the Tucson Murals Project in the blog entry BBQ at Bristol and Bikeway.

Another few minutes' ride brings you to the parklet on the west side of Country Club — with benches, water, and bike racks... but not much shade:

The farthest east I rode along Aviation Bikeway was the parklet at 34th Street. Again: a drinking fountain, bike racks, benches and shade:

The Veterans Memorial Plaza is close by. Farther east, there may be one or two other pocket parks, but I don't remember seeing them on earlier trips. A big city park you'll pass east of Swan is Freedom Park; it has water and rest rooms.

Location: From the 4th Avenue underpass past Davis-Monthan AFB, mostly north of Barraza-Aviation Parkway and Golf Links Road.

Hours: 24 hours, though mostly deserted at night (with lots of gang graffiti that the city keeps painting over)

Parking: Try along 10th Street, several blocks east of 4th Avenue, for free car parking. You can also park a car at the south end of Park Avenue, south of Broadway... but you'll miss Iron Horse Park, as well the Snake and Basket Bridges, unless you backtrack.

Iron Horse park(lets)

There are several dots of parkland just north of Broadway, east of 4th Avenue. They aren't directly on a city street, and the official address doesn't make much sense. To get there by car, drive along 10th Street and park around the corner with 2nd Avenue. If you ride Aviation Bikeway, or walk the path that starts at the southwest corner of the Coronado Hotel, you'll pass all three park(lets).

To me, Iron Horse Park itself is too big to be called a “parklet.” To the west is “For Speed These Lines," a sculpture by John Davis and Siobhan Roome:

There's no place to sit near the sculpture, but a path winds through it. Have a look at the details in the columns. For a place to sit, head east past the main part of Iron Horse Park to this sitting arc (and bike rack):

It's at the mouth of the Diamondback Bridge. Aviation Bikeway continues from there past Davis-Monthan AFB.

Closer to 10th Street is Iron Horse Community Garden with a pretty mural on the fence in front. (That page is from the Tucson Murals Project blog.)

Location: South of 10th Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues

Parking: Street (and bike) parking

Hours: Basically, daylight hours — though there are some lights near (and through) the snake bridge