TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The City of Tucson is set to begin a multi-million dollar renovation of Jacobs Park and the Nicolas P. Ochoa Soccer Complex on Tucson's north side. A public groundbreaking event will take place at the park, 3300 N. Fairview Ave., at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 9.
Led by Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and Ward 3 Council Member Kevin Dahl, the initiative follows community input and planning, which began in July of 2021. The project aims to transform the 48-acre park into a revitalized hub for families and residents of all ages.
Beginning in mid-May, the park will close to allow construction to begin. While the park will be fenced off, several facilities and services will remain available during the closure. Jacobs Pool and Splash Pad will operate from June 1 to July 31, and the Jacobs/City YMCA will stay open throughout construction. The Household Hazardous Waste program will continue operating from the south parking lot, with the next collection scheduled for Saturday, May 10, from 8 a.m. to noon.
Construction at the Nicolas P. Ochoa Soccer Complex is expected to be completed by fall 2025, while work on Jacobs Park is scheduled to finish by summer 2026.
Key improvements to Jacobs Park include:
- New playground surfacing
- Renovated and new ramadas
- A new softball complex
- Updated restroom facilities
- New sports field lighting
- Refurbished sports courts
- New pickleball and futsal courts
- A family picnic area
- A new skate park
- An expanded and relocated dog park
- Green Stormwater Infrastructure features
- Irrigation system replacement
- Enhancements to the pool and splash pad
The nearly $9.2 million project is funded through multiple sources, including:
- Proposition 407: Parks + Connections Bond – $3,960,300
- Impact Fees – $800,000
- Storm to Shade Funds – $300,000
- City Framework Funds – $1,100,000
- Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Land and Water Conservation Fund grant – $2,995,500
Proposition 407 is a $225 million bond package passed by voters in 2018 to improve city parks and public spaces.
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Norris Design is leading the project’s design, and Sellers and Sons is the contractor.
For more information or to view the master plan adopted by the mayor and council in August 2022, visit the project website at https://tucsondelivers.tucsonaz.gov/pages/jacobspark.
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Maria Staubs joined KGUN 9 as a multimedia journalist and producer in July of 2024. Her passion for writing and storytelling stems from anchoring her middle school’s news show and editing her high school’s yearbook. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication with a minor in film and media production, as well as a master's degree in mass communication. You can email Maria at maria.staubs@kgun9.com or reach out to her on X/Twitter or Instagram.
