Desert Sky Park Enters Phase 2 - Gilbert, AZ

I’m excited to see the next phases of Desert Sky Park and the fun events it will host for our community. This isn’t just another park update—it feels like Gilbert is leaning into what makes our town special: creating places where we can gather, play, and just enjoy being outside together.

If you’ve been out to Desert Sky Park before, you know it already has so much going for it. The walking paths, playgrounds, and fields have made it a go-to spot since it opened in 2019. My kids have sprinted across the grass, friends have met me for evening walks, and I’ve lost count of the number of youth games and tournaments I’ve seen on those fields. It’s a space that feels alive.

Now Gilbert is taking it up a notch with Phase 2, starting construction in late 2025. And honestly? The plans sound amazing.

What’s Coming in Phase 2

Here are the highlights that caught my attention:

• Five new multi-use fields (because we all know Gilbert families love their sports weekends).

• A splash pad and playgrounds with inclusive play features—spaces designed so all kids, no matter their ability, can play together.

• Eight pickleball courts (if you haven’t tried it yet, pickleball is basically the Valley’s unofficial sport now).

• Sand volleyball, tennis, and basketball courts—because sometimes you just want to show off that jump serve or three-pointer.

• A dog run (finally—a spot for the four-legged family members).

• Shade structures, new restrooms, and extra parking—little details that make a big difference when you’re spending a whole Saturday out there.

Why It Matters

Gilbert could have just added more grass fields and called it a day. But instead, this next phase feels intentional. The town really listened to residents, and you can see it in the plans.

• Inclusion matters. I love that they’re adding features so kids of all abilities can play side by side. That’s the kind of thing that builds community quietly but powerfully.

• Stormwater & smart design. It’s easy to forget, but the park sits in the Rittenhouse Basin, so it’s doing double duty: recreation most days, stormwater retention when the rains hit. It’s clever, and very Arizona.

• Room to breathe. Two new entrances and expanded parking might not sound exciting—but if you’ve ever circled endlessly on a Saturday morning before a soccer game, you know this is a win.

So, as Phase 2 takes shape, I’m not just watching construction plans. I’m thinking about how many new memories this park will hold for all of us in Gilbert. And that’s worth getting excited about.