Wa:k Ki:kam Park will open to reservation residents on November 7, creating a new gathering place in the San Xavier District of the Tohono O'odham Nation. The park includes a playground, fitness equipment, walking paths, and a traditional Toka field. The opening ceremony is closed to the public and reserved for members of the Wa:k community.
The park is intended to support recreation, cultural gatherings, and other community events for residents of all ages. KVOA reported that the site will also have picnic areas, a pavilion, restrooms, and signs about local culture and ecology. The project involved the San Xavier District, Arizona State Parks and Trails, the Pima County Regional Flood Control District, and the Tucson Foundations.
Funding Grew Alongside the Park's Ambitions
The Pima County Regional Flood Control District contributed roughly $900,000 for stormwater management and site enhancements, county officials say. That investment helped the district secure matching grants from Arizona State Parks and Trails, adding about $1.5 million for recreational features. The project’s budget changed as its scope grew: an earlier account from the station’s local news desk described an initial $500,000 flood control district budget, followed by an expansion after a $1.5 million state parks grant.
The earlier account said construction had been underway for more than six months when it was published. The site includes green stormwater infrastructure intended to manage and mitigate flooding, with basins designed to collect runoff from smaller, more frequent rain events. Hunter Contracting handled construction, and the SXD planning department guided planning and design.
Years of Workshops Shaped the Final Design
Pima County says community workshops and meetings brought youth, elders, residents, district interns, and flood control staff into the design process. Matthew Lutheran, a landscape architect with the county’s flood control district, said that input shaped each stage of planning so the park would reflect community values, traditions, and needs.
Planning Within District Priorities
The San Xavier District Planning Department says its work involves community members in land-use planning, environmental safeguarding, and balancing development with other district priorities while maintaining O’odham traditions and cultural values. Its published overview does not list recreation facilities that existed before Wa:k Ki:kam Park or identify a specific recreation-needs assessment.
John Baskett, the San Xavier District’s lead planner, described the project as an investment in the health, recreation, and well-being of the SXD community, built through years of collaboration, planning, and community vision. District Chairman Austin Nunez said the park reflects partners working toward a community-shaped vision. He thanked the contributors, including the SXD planning department, Hunter Contracting, and the Pima County Regional Flood Control District, for partnership, technical expertise, project management, and early investment.
What's Planned for Opening Day
The Saturday celebration is expected to feature food, local bands, activities from the San Xavier District radio station, native plant giveaways, and other community programming. The opening follows years of planning and collaboration among district leaders, county engineers, and residents. The site is intended to serve both as a community gathering place and as part of the Wa:k community’s flood-control infrastructure.
