Steele Indian School Park

The Circle of Life is the heart of the park. This wide circular walkway encompasses the three historic buildings remaining on site from the old Phoenix Indian School. In the center of this area is a water cistern. Etched into the concrete around the cistern is a poem that explains the Native American design theme of the park. The Circle of Life is 600 feet in diameter and features 24 interpretive columns depicting the history of the Phoenix Indian School.

The dog park, which opened in June of 2006 is located in the fenced northeast corner of the park. The 1.83 acre, granite surface with small, rolling hills and dog-friendly shrubery is enclosed by six-foot-high perimeter fencing and two double-gated ADA accessible entrances. The area offers both large and small dog sections, both of which provide "Mutt-Mitt" dispensers and trash receptacles. The small dog section is intended for those under 20 pounds. Pet owners can enjoy shade trees and picnic table seating, although food is not allowed in the off-leash area. The Dog Park is open during Park Operation Hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Parking can be accessed off of 7th Street just north of the VA Hospital. Closure notices will be posted in advance due to large scale events throughout the year.

Community members are continuing to raise funds for additional dog park ameneties such as shade structures, benches, water resources within the off-leash area, and lighting. You may access the Fundraising Web Site at www.PhoenixDogPark.org for more information.

Leading from the Circle of Life is the Arbor Bridge (pictured on the park's main web page) that leads into the 15-acre Entry Garden, which also makes use of circular form. The garden features a spiraling walkway that gradually descends down into the earth; a trail meant for contemplation and meditation. Native American poems are etched into the concrete, and native desert plants adorn the path as it winds its way toward a cistern at the end of the trail.

The 15-acre Neighborhood Park on the north side of the park features a playground, two half-court basketball courts and sand volleyball courts. Ramadas provide shade for picnics and parties and provide shelter for parents supervising their children.

The performance or stage area of the outdoor amphitheater is 60 feet in diameter and is large enough for a full symphony orchestra. There is a waterfall on the north side of the amphitheater, which is directly off of the 2.5-acre bird shaped lake. The rubble wall of the waterfall is recycled from the old Phoenix Indian School. The architect saved the WPA (Works Progress Administration) stamps from the old sidewalks and incorporated these into the rubble walls throughout the park. The seating area of the amphitheater has a 1500-person capacity in grass seating and is available for rental. Fees do apply.

The Phoenix Green features thirty acres of rolling grass terrain, meandering walkways and clusters of trees. The raised walkways follow a canal runnel that feeds the lake and provides water to the grass fields of the Phoenix Green. This area of the Park is designed to be a shady oasis with a mix of larger-scale deciduous and evergreen trees that provide a backdrop for the entire site. The Phoenix Green is accessed by a Park entrance off of Seventh Street and also has five family-size picnic ramadas and restrooms.