Best Beaches In Phoenix Near Me

4worldlovers: Would an aerial experience appeal to you? Or maybe you’re more of an aquatics-lover. The responses are in for the Rio Salado and Beach Park Master Plan Request for Information (RFI), which solicited ideas from the business community to activate the area surrounding Tempe Town Lake.

Input was provided on the five idea categories that emerged from the RFI: Water • Land • Aerial • Food • Transport

In fall 2018, Tempe adopted the Rio Salado and Beach Park Master Plan, a comprehensive planning document that provides improvement recommendations that will shape the area over the next 20 to 30 years. The plan is a collection of maps and overlays that capture the ideas and recommendations that the city has received for the long-term vision of the area. There is no funding attached to any of the proposed ideas.

The Rio Salado and Beach Park area includes both sides of Tempe Town Lake between Priest Drive and Rural Road. The master plan focuses on programming, infrastructure, access, use of space and land/water activities to provide a blueprint for future of the area.

4worldlovers: The two ramadas located in the park are first-come, first-served. The Amphitheater Island picnic and event space requires a reservation, please contact 602-262-6412​.

The historic Encanto Clubhouse and Boathouse are a favorite destination for weddings and receptions. Learn more about reserving the Clubhouse and/or Boathouse.

Special Activity​ Requests are required for gatherings that have any of the following:

Encanto Park was conceptualized by William G. Hartranft, a millionaire philanthropist and chair of the first Phoenix Parks and Recreation Board, who envisioned a park of similar scale to Balboa in San Diego and Golden Gate in San Francisco. To that end, he led the parks board to acquire 200 acres of property that at the time sat outside the city limits.

Construction of the park began in 1935. The clubhouse, lagoon, boat dock, 18-hole golf course, band shell, playground areas, tennis and horseshoe courts, and archery range were completed in three years.

In 1946, members of the Valley Garden Center entered into a 99-year deal with the city to lease a three-acre strip of land just south of Encanto Park for $1. In 1948, they raised the money to build the center, opening it in early 1949. With two large gathering rooms, a kitchen, nearly three-acres of lush grounds, and a 100-year-old mesquite tree, the garden is a popular setting for meetings, weddings and receptions.