Take ownership in your community…volunteer to support your neighborhood park.

Parks, Recreation, Programs. and Facilities Support
A community’s parks and recreation program exemplifies the community’s quality of life. Your donation to the Mesa Parks and Recreation Division through the Foundation supports Mesa’s nationally recognized parks program. The Foundation has supported numerous projects within Mesa, including development of the Park of the Canals master plan, Falcon Field Park renovation, Mesa Arts Center development, and t-shirt sponsorship for youth programs. Please consider being part of the action!

Adaptive Recreation
Physically and mentally disabled individuals are provided once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The Foundation supports efforts for the disabled.

Special Events
Since its founding, the Foundation has been a proud supporter of many of Mesa’s special events.

Tree Donation Program
Any interested party can make a donation to the Foundation in the amount of $350 (estimated cost of the tree, delivery, planting is $300-$325) to provide a living memorial for someone special Please contact the Parks Dept. Foundation liaison Melanie Dykstra at 480-644-5783 Your donation will be used to purchase and plant a tree in one of Mesa's parks under the following conditions:

• Minimum of a 24 box tree will be purchased and planted by the Park Maintenance staff
• Park Maintenance staff will determine where, and what type of tree will be planted (Requests for locations can be made but park locations are limited)
• No warranty can be provided on the tree
• The Parks Foundation liaison will inform the interested party as to the location and type of tree planted, and the Foundation will prepare and deliver a certificate recognizing the donation that was made (no plaques will be allowed to be placed at the tree site)

Aquatics -Learn to Swim; Making Waves
The Foundation supports the City of Mesa’s Making Waves program, which provides swimming lesson opportunities to children who otherwise would not have a learn-to-swim opportunity. The Making Waves program provides scholarships to children for swimming lessons. A tax deductible donation to the Foundation provides these opportunities.

Save the Train
For decades, the Pioneer Park train engine #2355 was a playground for Mesa's children, but a fence went up around it in the early 1990s as it slowly decayed. The Mesa City Council gave residents two months to come up with a solution, or watch the rusting hulk be disposed of. Subsequently, the Foundation is assisting a group of citizens have formed an active fundraising committee to save the historic icon. 

Park of Canals
Park of the Canals is a 31-acre site containing picnic ramadas, restrooms, a botanical garden, trails, and a playground.  It is a unique site that preserves the remnants of prehistoric, historic, and pioneer structures and irrigation canals.  The playground was originally constructed in1988 but was removed in 2005 due to significant safety concerns and only a few swing sets remain today.  Consequently,  neighbors and interested Mesa residents  have formed a coalition to lead the efforts in fundraising and site design for a new playground.  They have won the financial support of the local Rotary clubs and the Foundation for Mesa Parks and Recreation to accept tax-deductible donations for the renovation efforts. 

Dog Park
The Foundation has partnered with the Arizona Avalance Club in sponsoring the M.B. F. Car Show (Man’s Best Friend).  With decreasing municipal funds, we recognize that parks are in need of support for its programs and facility developments. Therefore, The Arizona Avalance club is supporting the efforts to bring a new off-leash dog park to Mesa. The MBF CarShow Fundraiser (Man’s Best Friend) will be a unique event as it will combine the stunning vehicles of our many local car / truck enthusiast at Hohokam Stadium .