Scottsdale's Parks and Preserve Sales Tax delivers first-year improvements across city parks

Scottsdale residents are seeing the first wave of improvements funded by the voter-approved Parks and Preserve Sales Tax (Proposition 490), with investments already enhancing neighborhood parks through new trees, upgraded recreation amenities, improved landscaping and expanded maintenance efforts.

During fiscal year 2025/26, the city's Parks and Recreation Department completed projects across Scottsdale that improved park appearance, strengthened maintenance operations and addressed aging infrastructure. The work marks the first full year of projects funded through Proposition 490, the dedicated sales tax approved by voters in 2024 to support Scottsdale's parks and the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

As part of Proposition 490, the Scottsdale Parks and Recreation Commission serves as the citizen oversight committee for the park improvement portion of the sales tax. The commission provides ongoing input on priorities and recommends approval of the annual budget and capital improvement projects funded through the dedicated park allocation.

"Scottsdale residents made a long-term investment in the places where families gather, children play and neighbors connect," said City Manager Greg Caton. "Just one year later, they're already seeing those improvements take shape in parks across the city, with even more to come."

"Scottsdale's parks are among our community's greatest assets, and residents expect them to be beautiful, safe and well maintained," said Parks and Recreation Senior Director Nick Molinari. "The Parks and Preserve Sales Tax allows us to make meaningful improvements today while planning for the future of our park system."

Among the improvements completed during FY 2025/26:

• Nearly 150 trees planted and more than 700 trees pruned
• More than 780 flats of flowers and plants installed
• More than 300,000 square feet of park turf replaced
• Five basketball courts upgraded
• More than 10 park buildings and facilities repainted
• 80 new park amenities installed, including picnic tables, grills and trash receptacles
• Security cameras added at parks to enhance public safety
• Major turf conversion and landscape improvements completed at Comanche Park
• Beautification improvements completed at the south entrance of Vista del Camino Park
• Design completed for a new, fully accessible playground at Rotary Park, now under construction, featuring expanded shade, poured-in-place surfacing and inclusive play features

The funding also expanded the department's ability to care for parks by adding four new positions, including a park planner, an urban forester and two maintenance employees dedicated to the Indian Bend Wash parks. New maintenance equipment, including utility vehicles, aerators, sod cutters and specialized landscaping tools, has also improved the department's efficiency.

Following several severe storms, Parks and Recreation used more than $350,000 in Parks and Preserve Sales Tax funding to restore damaged landscapes and park facilities, helping parks reopen quickly for public use.

Building on this first year of accomplishments, the Parks and Recreation Commission has recommended an ambitious slate of projects for FY 2026/27 that will continue enhancing Scottsdale's parks while investing in their long-term sustainability.

Upcoming investments include design work for major renovations at Agua Linda, Chaparral, Eldorado and Paiute parks, four of Scottsdale's oldest neighborhood parks. The city also plans to renovate aging sports courts, replace the Vista del Camino south playground and the Eldorado Aquatic Center water play structure, install new park furnishings, expand its Urban Forestry program, continue planting trees, replace aging turf and invest in irrigation modernization and water-efficient landscaping that helps preserve Scottsdale's parks while using water more efficiently.

Approved by Scottsdale voters in November 2024, the Parks and Preserve Sales Tax provides dedicated funding to maintain, enhance and improve Scottsdale's parks, trails and preserve. As projects continue over the coming years, residents will see continued investments that improve neighborhood parks, protect natural resources, increase water efficiency and ensure Scottsdale's park system remains vibrant and sustainable for future generations.