Tempe city officials have announced the schedule for the upcoming Indigenous Peoples' Day, set to take place on Monday, Oct. 13. According to a recent publication on the City of Tempe website, the city will close all administrative offices in honor of the holiday, which celebrates the history and contributions of Native American and Indigenous communities. Tempe had declared Indigenous Peoples' Day an official city holiday back in 2023 in an effort to foster a more inclusive environment.
For those concerned about public safety, rest assured, emergency police and fire services will continue without interruption on the holiday. However, Tempe 311, the city's Customer Relations Center, is set to be closed. Residents needing to submit a service request can do so online by visiting the city's official website. The Tempe Municipal Court will not be open, but for those needing to make payments or view case information, online and automated phone services remain available, except between the nightly hours of 11 p.m. and 2 a.m.
Regarding public transportation, the city has stated that bus and rail services will adhere to their regular weekday schedules. The Tempe Transit Store will be closed, however, information on routes and timetables can be found at the city's dedicated transportation webpage. While the Household Products Collection Center will not be open, the trash and recycling services in both commercial and residential areas will continue as per their usual schedule.
Recreational facilities throughout the city will see varied hours of operation during the holiday. While Kiwanis Recreation Center will welcome visitors from noon until 6 p.m., the batting range at Kiwanis Park will be closed. Senior and community centers such as Cahill and Clark Park will also be closed, although the North Tempe Multi-Generational Center and the Westside Multi-Generational Center are available from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. In terms of cooling off, several splash pads across the city will remain open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., but the main pools will be taking a day off.
Tempe's cultural venues, including the Tempe Public Library, the Tempe History Museum, and the Edna Vihel Arts Center, along with several other historic houses and the Tempe Center for the Arts, will also close to observe Indigenous Peoples' Day. City of Tempe encourages individuals looking for more information about city events, services, or facilities to use the city's website as a resource. Interested residents can sign up to receive city updates via email on a range of topics from homelessness to affordable housing and community events.
