Oro Valley invites community to Naranja Park groundbreaking ceremony
Published on May 17, 2022
ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (May 17, 2022) – The Town of Oro Valley is ready to break ground on the Naranja Park Expansion Project, a multi-million-dollar investment that will bring new amenities to this already established park. Community members of all ages are invited to attend the groundbreaking ceremony, which will be held Tuesday, May 31 from 9 to 10 a.m. at Naranja Park (810 W Naranja Drive). The groundbreaking will feature remarks from Parks and Recreation Director Kristy Diaz-Trahan and Mayor Joe Winfield. Following the ceremony, families are invited to stay and play at Naranja Park with free commemorative kites made specifically as a keepsake for the event.
There is something for everyone with the Naranja Park Expansion Project. The expansion project includes four new multi-sport fields in addition to the existing four, six pickleball courts, two basketball courts and a splash pad. The project will also bring two first-of-its-kind amenities to the OV – a pump track and skate park. A pump track is a looped path for bike riders designed to maximize momentum so riders can enjoy it with minimal pedaling. The skate park will be tailored to wheel sports (skateboards, scooters and bikes). The site plan map for Naranja Park is below (see image 1).
Before the groundbreaking, you may start to notice construction equipment inside the park. That’s because construction contractor Haydon Building Corp. will be mobilizing equipment the week of May 23 to prepare for the groundbreaking. Following the groundbreaking, the mass grading, or earthwork, will begin. Naranja Park will have limited access during construction. A map showing park closures and access is below (see image 2).
For construction updates and progress about the Naranja Park Expansion Project, visit the Park Bond Project Details by clicking here. To learn more about the park design, click here to listen to our newest This is Oro Valley podcast to hear firsthand from project architect Don McGann and Parks and Recreation Director Kristy Diaz-Trahan.
ABOUT THE $25 MILLION PARK BOND
The Oro Valley Town Council voted to approve $25 million in bond financing for various Parks and Recreation improvements. This is not a voter-approved bond that adds property tax to cover the repayment. Rather, the cost for the repayment of these bonds is included in the sales taxes the Town already collects. More than half of the $25 million bond will be used to add amenities in Naranja Park, which were identified by the community in the master planning process (click here to view a case study conducted regarding this project). The bond will also fund exterior improvements at the Oro Valley Community and Recreation Center and expand Oro Valley’s quality multiuse path system.
Image 1 – Naranja Park Expansion site map
Image 2 – Naranja Park Construction Closure and Access Map
