Phoenix purchased the original 13,000 acres of South Mountain Park from the federal government in 1924 for 17,000. A large number of the structures and trails were built in the park throughout the ‘30s. Today, visitors enjoy more than 50 miles of trails suitable for hiking, as well as riding bikes and horses.

Between the neighboring towns of Glendale and Peoria, there are well over eighty public parks and outdoor recreation areas, varying in size and designated for different purposes. In both towns, there are traditional parks as well as gardens, dog parks, playgrounds, sports facilities, and public pools.