Chandler residents are proud of the enviable quality of life in our city. This includes access to green spaces and parks, recreational opportunities, arts and cultural experiences, public art and engaging special events.
Park Upgrades
Chandler was busy keeping 69 parks maintained for residents to enjoy. Updates and upgrades included installing public art features at Apache Park, rebuilding infields and installing new sod at the diamond complexes in Pima Park and Nozomi Park, updating playground equipment, refreshing granite and much more.
Large-scale park projects began to improve Brooks Crossing, Gazelle Meadows and Shawnee Dog Park. Public outreach engaged residents to help plan our next community park at Mesquite Groves.
Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center
The entire facility, including the water slides, decking, diving boards, and turf, was completely renovated. The competition pool was also redesigned.
After receiving the designation as a Certified Autism Center, sensory guide signs were implemented at the aquatic center.
Recreation Awards
Artist in Residence
Following a successful weekend with more than 2,300 students and members of the public attending performances of “NORTH: The Musical,” CCA announced creator/composer Ashli St. Armant as the organization’s 2024 Artist-in-Residence.
During the multiyear residency, St. Armant will focus on the creative development of new work, including casting, scenic design elements, composition and workshopping scenes with actors and artists. Her work will coincide with the artistic process, with particular focus on the process of personal storytelling and how to elevate one's history and cultural heritage through writing and performance.
Art in the Community
Celebrating its 35th anniversary, the Chandler Center for the Arts (CCA) invested in multiple new community engagement programs including the Concert Truck, a traveling music venue that strengthens communities by redefining the concert experience and making live music accessible to everyone. Additional public events included a City Hall pop-up concert and concerts at the Chandler Farmers Market and Downtown Chandler Art Walk.
CCA partnered with Ballet Arizona to present the Ballet Under the Stars, performed live on an outdoor stage at the Dr. A.J. Chandler Park Stage Plaza. Estimated attendance reached 5,000 people in its inaugural year and it will be returning in 2025.
Public Art Program
Chandler Arts Commission engaged 17 artists to produce public art projects around the city, including the Station 2 Fire Department Memorial by Nicholas Rascona, CCA Lobby piece by Kaori Takamura, "The Workers" by Zach Valent in the Arizona Avenue median outside City Hall, eleven traffic boxes and the Apache Park Mural by Jessica Gonzales.
Other public art projects started in 2024 include a shade structure at Tumbleweed Recreation Center, monument signage in the Galveston neighborhood and a vinyl window mural at Chandler Museum.
The Vision Gallery
The Vision Gallery provided more than 800 youth with free visual arts classes taught by local professional teaching artists. From ceramic pumpkins to mask-making to watercolor painting, residents activated their artistic voices while having fun and learning new creative skills. Visual arts further engaged residents with intergenerational arts activities at events such as the Ballet Under the Stars, Chandler Contigo and Chandler Multicultural Festival.
Vision Gallery hosted its largest event to date, welcoming more than 1,000 attendees to the opening of "Cruising: The Lowrider Art Exhibit," which included works by 40 artists, live music, live painting, food trucks and a lowrider car show outside City Hall.
By the Numbers
Night at the Museum
The Museum celebrated the “Night at the Museum: Superhero Edition” with a special event held in conjunction with the “Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross” exhibition.
The Museum also completed its first collaborative exhibition with Organic Architecture + Design Archives.
Library Program Survey
Chandler Public Library launched a systemwide survey to evaluate the sentiment around library programs. More than 1,100 responses validated the quality of existing programs while gaining valuable insight into additional needs and interests within the community. The library teams will integrate this feedback into their program strategy moving forward.
The Hive @ San Marcos
Partnered with the Institute for Digital Inclusion Accelerations, Chandler Unified School District and AZCEND to create the Hive @ San Marcos, a welcoming space for exploring technology and obtaining digital training. More than 540 people have visited the center since its opening on Nov. 1.
This resource center creates confidence in online engagement and extended support to community hubs, senior centers, affordable housing and shelters to ensure accessibility for all residents.
Downtown Chandler
Two new multifamily residential developments opened in 2024 - DC Heights and Encore Nova apartments. Improvements to Boston Street and the City Hall Parking Lot and Alley were completed, while work on Wall Street is expected to be completed in early 2025.
Downtown beautification elements included new potted plants and landscaping in the downtown Historic Square and the fabrication and installation of tree grates and fencing along Arizona Avenue.
In partnership with the Downtown Chandler Community Partnership, art projects to beautify downtown included wrapped utility boxes and festoon lighting in two alleyways.
New restaurants and concepts added in Downtown Chandler included:
- Boutique on Boston
- Jake’s Sweet Shop
- Lola’s Liquor
- Spitz, a Mediterranean concept
Diversity Education Mini Grants
Chandler’s Diversity Education Mini Grants offered local community groups, nonprofits, schools and teachers up to $1,000 towards events and programs for residents or students.
DEI Events and Programs
43 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion events and programs were attended by 19,589 people. Featured events include:
