Chandler Parks and Recreation is a Certified Autism Center, with sensory guides that rate sound, sight and touch at the Chandler Nature Center, Tumbleweed Recreation Center, Espee Park and Homestead North Park. The Nature Center is free to visit.
Sensory supports. Certified Autism Center with sensory guides.
Hours
Chandler Nature Center: Monday to Thursday 8 am to 7 pm, Friday 8 am to 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 8 am to 2 pm; closed New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas. Tumbleweed Recreation Center: Monday to Friday 5 am to 8 pm, Saturday 7 am to 8 pm, Sunday 10 am to 6:30 pm; 7 am to 5 pm on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve; closed New Year's Day, Easter, July 4th, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Nature Center's monthly calendar also marks its closed days.
Chandler Nature Center, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Road, Chandler, AZ 85249; Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Road, Chandler, AZ 85286; Espee Park, 450 E. Knox Road, Chandler, AZ 85225; Homestead North Park, 1925 E. Frye Road, Chandler, AZ 85225
“The City of Chandler Park & Recreation Division is honored to receive the Certified Autism Center designation.”
“More than 500 employees have undergone specialized training through the IBCCES to ensure they have the tools to help every community member have a memorable experience at Chandler Parks and Recreation Centers.”
Sensory guides are posted for six places: Chandler Nature Center, Espee Park, Homestead North Park, Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center, Nozomi Aquatic Center and Tumbleweed Recreation Center. Each one rates touch, taste, sound, sight and smell from 1 (low) to 10 (high).
Nozomi Aquatic Center is closed for the season, and Mesquite Groves' posted public swim hours have ended.
At Tumbleweed, the lobby has the lowest ratings of the three areas rated.
To ask for an accommodation for a program, send the City's request form at least two weeks before the program starts: by email to collette.prather@chandleraz.gov, in person at any City recreation or aquatic facility, or by mail. For help with the form, call 480-782-2709.
Espee Park spray pad (sound 6 of 10) (rushing water; you may get sprayed unexpectedly. Closed November to March)not stated
Homestead North Park playground (sound 5 of 10) (other guests, the pickleball courts and some traffic)not stated
Tumbleweed Recreation Center gymnasium (sound 4 of 10) (sounds echo; fans from the air system)not stated
Tumbleweed Recreation Center game room (sound 4 of 10) (sounds or music from other guests; some screens)not stated
Quieter, in the City's guides
Tumbleweed Recreation Center lobby (sound 3 of 10, mostly natural light)quiet zone
Chandler Nature Center (sound 3 of 10, background music)quiet zone
Nature Center free drop-in programs: Meet the Snakes (first Wednesday and Friday, 3:30 pm), Trout Time (second Friday, 3:30 pm) and Family Bird Walks (first Saturday, November to April, from 8 am). For bird walks, bring sun protection, closed-toe shoes and drinking water.
Tumbleweed Recreation Center uses daily, monthly and annual passes. Daily pass, resident or non-resident: ages 1 to 7 $2 or $3, ages 8 to 12 $2 or $3, teens 13 to 19 $3 or $5, adults 20 to 54 $4 or $6, 55 and up $3 or $5. Family Walk Time on the indoor track: Monday to Friday 9:30 to 11:30 am, Saturday and Sunday noon to 3 pm; children stay with their adult.
Espee Park has a bike park, a shaded playground and a spray pad. Homestead North Park has a covered playground with a small structure for younger kids, swings and a zip line. Chandler's spray pads are closed November to March.
Adaptive Recreation runs programs and social outings for people with disabilities: 480-782-2727.
Phones: Nature Center 480-782-2890, Tumbleweed 480-782-2900 (trc@chandleraz.gov), Espee and Homestead North park activities 480-782-2727, City main line 480-782-2000.
