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Reid Park is one of the oldest, largest, and shadiest parks in Tucson, and it offers a multitude of choices for outdoor enjoyment. The 131-acre park has over 70 acres of turf and hundreds of shade trees irrigated with reclaimed water. Two beautiful lakes were excavated in the center of the park to serve as both irrigation reservoirs and duck ponds.

Hikers have a choice of two routes along paved paths. A 1-mile loop in the interior of the park is along a paved sidewalk that encircles the north lake and leads to the outdoor performance center, playgrounds, and the Tucson Zoo. The 2-mile perimeter loop follows a wide, asphalt path that is popular with runners, hikers and cyclists and passes the Cancer Survivors Plaza. These two loops converge at the north lake on the way back to the trailhead.

The park also offers a network of flat dirt paths that crisscross the park and lead to even more attractions, including the south lake. Dirt paths are probably not accessible by people using wheelchairs due to roots, ruts and sandy sections.

The parking lot has many accessible parking spaces, and it is a short walk along a paved path to an accessible restroom. The parking lot is also the location of three park attractions – a shady playground, a 2-acre dog park with separate enclosure for large and small dogs, and a rose garden with an accessible gazebo.

Many of the facilities in Reid Park are old and in need of repair. Most of the restrooms are not accessible, and many of them have stall doors that do not close. Nonetheless, the park is a clean, safe, fun place to hike, picnic, and gather with friends and family. Dogs are allowed on-leash throughout the park, and drinking fountains are designed to be dog-friendly.

A note of interest: Reid Park is about to get a major update. The City of Tucson is completing a new master plan that will include improvements to the facilities, the walking paths, and the popular outdoor performance center. These improvements will make Reid Park a premier urban hike in the city center.