Nestled in the Rita Ranch subdivision, Purple Heart Park is one of the few parks in the far southeast side of Tucson.
The park opened in the early 90's and is "dedicated to the Military Order of the Purple Heart, men and women killed or injured during combat while members of the Armed Services."
At 37.2 acres, Purple Heart Park offers 3 little league fields, 1 softball field, a skate park, a dog park, 3 playgrounds, 1 splash pad, and 3 ramadas.
The hours are 6:00am to 10:30pm.
As is the case with all City of Tucson parks, it is free to visit.
Parking is free. There are three parking lots - one on the east side, one on the west side (near the dog park), and one on the north side.
Sun safety is encouraged. Prepare for a perfect day at the park with a hat, drinking water, snacks, and sunscreen.
October thru April are ideal because the temperatures tend to be more moderate than in the summer months. That said, the park can also be enjoyed in the summer months - especially in the early morning hours and at dusk.
There are two playgrounds at Purple Heart Park. The playground on the east side of the park has two regular swings, two baby swings, and two slides. The playground on the west side of the park has three slides and no swings.
The east playground has a dirt surface. The west playground has a rubber surface.
The playground on the east side is not shaded. The playground on the west side has some shade.
No. That being said, little ones will likely still enjoy running through the grass, going on walks, having a picnic, or trying the "big slides" with assistance from parents.
Purple Heart Pool is a summer season facility, which means it is only open between June and August of each year.
The 7-lane pool has a stair entry, leading to a shallow water area. The depth gradually increases to 6 feet in the 25-yard lap swim area. There is a small shade structure and grassy area adjacent to the pool.
During the summer months, Purple Heart Pool offers affordable swim lessons, a synchronized swim team, and competitive swim team options through Tucson Parks and Recreation.
The Purple Heart Park splash pad opened in 2022 and is a popular spot for residents of Vail, SE Tucson, and Corona de Tucson. The splash pad is open seasonally, April through October, from 8:00am to sunset, daily.
Named after Ivan, a TPD police dog lost in the line of duty, this one-acre facility features two separate areas for large and small dogs. The site is fenced with a concrete inner walking path, dog-friendly drinking fountains, benches, trees and shrubs, landscape irrigation, decomposed granite surface, boulders, and solar lights.
There are three ramadas at Purple Heart Park - one on the east side, one on the west side, and one near the sports fields. There are also several other tables with BBQ grills that are unshaded.
Yes.
Yes. Adjacent to each table/ramada.
No.
Try one of these restaurants, which are within a 8-mile radius of Purple Heart Park:
Fry's Food is less than a mile away.
Papa John's and Pizza Hut are both nearby.
There are two unisex bathrooms, centrally located in the park. There are also two porta-potties near the sports fields.
Yes. The rent is $15-$20 for a half-day or $25-$30 for a full day.
| Museum | NO |
| Cafe | NO |
| Public Pool | YES |
| Splash Pad | YES |
| Parks & Rec Facility | NO |
| Sports Fields | YES – four baseball/softball fields |
| Dog Park | YES |
| Skate Park | YES |
| Walking/Biking Paths | YES - the walking path covers 1-mile |
| Hiking Trails | NO |
| Art/Sculptures | NO |
| Garden | NO |
| Trees/Shade | Minimal |
| Lighting | YES |
Check out the complete list of Tucson Parks.
