Going on Tour…

A few weeks ago, our Buckeye Civic Institute class boarded a charter bus and went on tour. First stop: Sundance Park! I’ll never forget my classmate, Alex’s, amazement & wonder when he stepped into the parking lot, under the glow of a beautiful sunset. It’s kind of magical when you go there for the first time — hard to believe something so vast and vibrant is hiding in plain sight, right in the heart of Buckeye.

Since then, I’ve had a few others tell me they didn’t know about Sundance either… So, here’s a peek at one of my favorite places to escape in the West Valley!

The History

Sundance Park has been part of Buckeye’s landscape since 2012, back when the city’s population hovered around 60,000. At the time, Phase I of the park was a much-needed investment in outdoor space for a growing community. But as Buckeye boomed, so did the need for more—more amenities, more space, more reasons to build community.

The city responded by asking residents what they wanted in their park. The feedback was clear: a splash pad (#1 request), fishing opportunities, play spaces. More than a decade later, those dreams have taken root and blossomed in a major way.

The Park 

With the completion of Phase II in September 2023, Sundance Park now spans 68 acres, nearly double its original size. This latest expansion brought a long list of sought-after upgrades: Buckeye’s first and only public fishing lake, a large grand pavilion, splash pad, four multi-use sports fields, lighted basketball courts, additional ramadas, upgraded restrooms, and an elevated playground.

There are also walking paths in the park, the route of one of which is said to 0.6 miles (1,500 steps). Accordingly to the Pacer App, it’s rated as ‘easy.’ More information and the map on that can be found here.

And, let’s not forget the landscaping. The park boasts 1,415+ shrubs and ground cover plants, along with 197 trees. It’s a great place to take off your shoes and get grounded on the lush green grass!

💡 Fun Fact: The playground was strategically placed next to the sports fields so parents can watch one kid score a goal and another climb the jungle gym — without having to sprint between the two!

🧭 To get an idea of an overview of the park, check out this handy map!

The Lake

Let’s talk about the sparkling centerpiece: the 3.2-acre fishing lake and fountain. It’s 14 feet deep, holds 14 million gallons of water, and is stocked with catfish, bluegill, bass, and rainbow trout—a first-of-its-kind experience for Buckeye residents.

Fishing is allowed year-round, though stocking pauses from June 25 to September 15 due to extreme summer temperatures. Anglers aged 10 and up must carry a valid fishing license, and city/state rules apply (check www.azgfd.gov for the latest).

💧 Cool fact: The splash pad water drains into the lake and is used to irrigate the park’s grass and sports fields—water conservation was considered in the design and they do whatever they can to insure not a drop of water is wasted!

The Veterans Memorial

On Veterans Day 2025, Sundance Park became home to a moving new addition: a beautifully designed memorial honoring the brave men and women who have served our country. Unveiled during a heartfelt community ceremony, the memorial stands as a place of remembrance & reflection.

Set against the natural beauty of the park, the memorial invites visitors to pause, pay their respects, and remember the sacrifices made by so many. It’s a meaningful new chapter in the park’s story—and a powerful reminder of the strength and heart of our community. It’s lit up and night and absolutely stunning to see and experience (see photo below under “Sunsets”).

The Dog Park

The dog park located adjacent to the southwest side of the park. You do not need to leave the parking lot to access it (I got lost trying to find it #duh). There is grass and trees and 2 separate areas: one for little dogs (under 20 pounds) and one for big dogs (over 20 pounds).

⏰ It’s open dawn until 10 PM, except on Wednesdays which is maintenance day and it opens at 2 PM.

The Events

🐰 THIS WEEKEND!!!! —Saturday, April 12th, the big Spring Celebration & Egg Hunt takes place from 9 AM - 1 PM.

➡️ Weekly Fitness in the Park classes are offered Monday-Thursday from 6:30-7:30 PM and will run through May 5, 2025. These FREE classes are open for ages 18+, but registration is required. You’ll find them in The Buzz Event Listings, but you can also access the schedule and sign up here.

The Sunsets

If you go for no other reason, you MUST go see a sunset! At this time of year, the best time for that is between 6:30-7 PM.

I caught the most amazing sunset from the front seat of the tour bus and felt immediately compelled to post about it on Instagram.

Now, get out there and explore! 🐝cause…the more you know, the more you go! 😉 

📸 If you go, tag The Buckeye Buzz on Instagram and I’ll share your pic in The Buzz feed!

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