New Parking Lot Underway for Reid Park Zoo
Fencing is being erected and work is beginning on a new parking lot for Gene C. Reid Park, the Edith Ball Adaptive Recreation Center, and Reid Park Zoo. The new parking lot will be located where the maintenance yard for Tucson Parks and Recreation has been and is anticipated to be complete in Fall 2023. The new lot uses no green space in the park and will increase the number of parking spaces available while approximately 95 trees will be planted as part of the project.
Access to the Park and Facilities During Construction
Access to travel through Lakeshore Lane will continue to be available throughout construction, with some parking spaces along Lakeshore Lane in the park temporarily unavailable but returning to use when the new lot is completed. Tucson Parks and Recreation, Reid Park Zoo, University of Arizona Baseball, and the Adaptive Recreation Center representatives have been coordinating to ensure access is available to each facility throughout construction and to limit the impact on guests visiting the park and its facilities.
Pathway to Asia Project
The new parking lot is the first step in preparing for the Pathway to Asia project at Reid Park Zoo, which will add 3.5 acres to the Zoo’s campus and include new animal species. Following community dialogue, a new location was approved using the current Zoo and Adaptive Recreation Center parking lots, repurposing existing asphalt areas, and increasing green space. For information on Pathway to Asia, contact Reid Park Zoo.
The City of Tucson recently announced that construction on a new parking lot at Reid Park is underway. This project, which has been in the works for several months, will add more than 100 parking spaces to the park and improve access to some of its most popular areas.
Reid Park is a beloved community space that spans over 130 acres and features numerous attractions, such as the zoo, a golf course, and several athletic fields. Over the years, the park has become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, which has created a growing need for additional parking.
The new parking lot, which is being built near the intersection of Country Club Road and 22nd Street, will feature 121 parking spaces and will be ADA accessible. This new lot will improve access to the park’s popular duck pond, playgrounds, picnic areas, and sports fields. Additionally, the new parking lot will be equipped with security cameras to ensure the safety of park-goers and their vehicles.
The construction of the new parking lot is expected to be completed by the end of the year, and the city has assured park-goers that the existing parking lots will remain open during construction. Once completed, the new parking lot will provide visitors with an additional option for parking, reducing congestion in other areas of the park.
While some may be concerned about the environmental impact of adding more parking spaces to the park, the city has taken steps to ensure that the project is as sustainable as possible. The new parking lot will feature permeable paving that will allow rainwater to filter into the ground and replenish the aquifer. Additionally, the lighting in the new lot will be energy-efficient, reducing the park’s carbon footprint.
Overall, the new parking lot at Reid Park is an exciting development that will provide park-goers with better access to some of the park’s most popular areas. While construction may cause some disruption in the short-term, the added parking will be a significant improvement in the long-term. With the project set to be completed by the end of the year, both visitors and the community can look forward to enjoying Reid Park’s many amenities with more convenience and accessibility than ever before.
