Scottsdale Civic Center Park

Cute little park in old town! Went after visiting the sugar bowl with the kids and they were able to run off some steam

An oasis in the city. An urban escape.I've visited the Scottsdale Civic Center a handful of times, and it's always a great experience. As an art aficionado, I found the art sculptures displayed all over the center very impressive. A few of these are: 'Windows to the West' by Louise Nevelson, 'The Yearlings' and 'Winfield Scott Memorial'--both by George-Ann Tognoni, and especially the famous 'Love' sign by Robert Indiana. The place is not just about art for they also stage concerts and events here. On one side, you'll find the city's public library, which is a nice bonus. A friend of mine who works for the City of Scottsdale invited me one time to watch a concert here. The amphitheater is a great addition for hosting events. Plus, there are plenty of restaurants nearby, making it convenient for grabbing a bite. The beautiful flora throughout the center adds color and tranquility, creating a peaceful oasis in the middle of busy Scottsdale.This is one spot in Scottsdale that one should never miss!

The Civic Center is an area of Old Town Scottsdale that I have spent many years at going back to my youth. I have done photoshoots here and attended events like the Scottsdale Culinary and Arts Festivals. They have a couple of stages and plenty of lawn space for these events. The city has done a nice job of renovating this area and added some beautiful public art pieces, a children's area, fountains and lagoons. They have also added some seats underneath some shade for those hot summer days. The LOVE sculpture is the highlight here and the most photographed of all the public arts pieces. The Scottsdale Center of Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and the Historical Museum are some of the big venues near the Civic Center. The public library has various art exhibits that rotate often. There is a large parking garage nearby that is usually free unless the Giants are playing a Spring Training game or there is some other event going on. Some of my favorite restaurants that are within walking distance include AZ88, The Mission and Los Olivos Mexican Patio. I have done lots of date nights here and have always enjoyed going for long evening walks at the Civic Center.

Walking around this park after our lunch in Old Town Scottsdale was the best part of our day on Sunday, the day before my son's ASU graduation. May 6thNone of us had been here before, but the area showed up as a green area on my Strava tracker, so I asked if we could check it out. We all enjoy walking after a meal.I was immediately impressed. From the historic old school house with its friendly volunteers, to a small botanical desert garden, grassy areas, splash pad, sculptures and paved paths and shaded benches, this is a family-friendly area I'd come back to again and again.The public restroom is clean and there are water fountains for humans and dogs. We got 1.5 miles around the park and another 1.5 miles in Old Town. Weather was overcast and breezy, which made the 86F feel less brutal.

Super cute walking trail with plenty of different species of cactus in a garden section. Big Love sign for pictures and a splash pad for the kids to run around. The park was perfect and even had that foam flooring.

We are regular at this park. Parking is easy and lots of space around the park. We used to take our dog there and he loved it! Sometimes, we got food from the Saturday farmer market and walked here to enjoy the view and the food. The newly renovated park is wonderful. There are more seats under the shade. I like that they created two permanent stages in this park. I could not wait to enjoy the next events that they will host.

This is such a great area just recently renovated. It's great to get out and enjoy the sun. I just went for Sun and Sounds the other day to enjoy the weather some live music and it was great. Being a lawn blanket or stadium seat and perch yourself on the grass with a picnic basket. The building has nice restrooms to access and there were places and food trucks near by where you can get food and beverages during the shows.

It's a lovely area to have a picnic or take a stroll. There's lots of water features, flowers, picnic tables, a grassy area if you want to lay a blanket down and enjoy the shade of the trees. It's just a pleasant place, we take our takeout here from nearby restaurants or stroll with our gelato from the nearby gelateria.The library, city hall, modern art museum, performing arts center, and Scottsdale history museum are also here. If you want to simply enjoy a relaxing day, come here. Have fun checking out the nearby places, or bring your dog for a walk, or picnic with your family, I see everyone here from couples, to families enjoying a meal together, or a walk.For parking, there's a free parking garage off of E 2nd St, going North on N Wells Fargo Ave. (It's between Los Olivos Mexican Restaurant and the Scottsdale Contemporary Art Museum.)There are water fountains and public restrooms West of the plaza as well as East of the plaza just keep in mind that they are like public park restrooms.

If I could give 3.5 I would do that, but it leans more 3 for me at the moment. I've been coming here for years and it's definitely a nice park. There is ample amount of green space and the public art pieces are nice. I'm conflicted about the new re-model as I feel like what was promised vs. what was delivered is quite the let down. Specifically, the plans called for additional shade over areas where grass was removed and the preservation of the fountain area by the saguaro hotel is a far cry from the peaceful oasis it once was. I do appreciate the new event spaces and think that is a great add, but I do wish they had kept more of the original character of the park. I hope that once the plants in the rock areas have a chance to flourish the space feels more natural, but until that happens, the space is a bit of a disappointment for me.

Tempe has Tempe Beach Park. Phoenix has Hance Park. Civic Center Park is Scottsdale's version. A place where concerts, festivals are held. A place where senior and engagement photos are taken. A place where tourists and locals go to get a photo with the giant LOVE sculpture. The recent removal of the decorative fountains and trees over the goldwater boulevard section left the area now open with only small trees planted and grass. I was hoping for a more creative use of the area after the repairs were finished in the bridge. However, the rest of the park has great large trees for shade and beautiful flowers planted going you that green garden like oasis in this dusty desert state.Free parking is best found next to the Main Scottsdale library just to the south of this park.