Gilbert’s Two Largest Parks Are Expanding: Regional Park & Desert Sky Updates

Gilbert is moving forward with major improvements to two of its largest parks.

On September 15, 2026, the Gilbert Town Council approved the next phase of construction for Gilbert Regional Park and Desert Sky Park.

Both projects are already underway, and the latest approvals will move the next stages of construction forward. For Gilbert residents, the improvements go beyond adding more sports fields — they also bring new family-friendly amenities, recreational spaces, and better access to the parks.

Gilbert Regional Park: Six New Youth Softball Fields

Phase 2 of Gilbert Regional Park began preliminary construction in June 2026, including grading, earthwork, and underground utilities.

The next stage will add:

• Six youth softball fields
• Additional parking and lighting
• A new roadway connecting the park to the Ocotillo Road bridge

Image source: Landscape Structures

The Ocotillo Road extension is another important part of what’s happening in this area.

Ocotillo Road is being extended east from Greenfield Road to Higley Road, creating another east-west connection through South Gilbert. Once completed, the new roadway will also provide more direct access to Gilbert Regional Park.

Together, the park expansion and roadway improvements are adding both recreational amenities and better connectivity to this part of Gilbert.

Desert Sky Park: 50 More Acres of Recreation

Another major expansion is underway at Desert Sky Park, located near Power Road between Williams Field Road and Pecos Road.

Phase 2 began construction in January 2026. The Gilbert Town Council has now approved the second and final major construction contract needed to complete the expansion.

Phase 2 will add approximately 50 acres of recreational space, including:

• Multi-use fields, playgrounds, pickleball courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, and sand volleyball courts
• A splash pad
• A dog run

Image source: Playeasy

One notable part of the expansion is its focus on inclusive design, with play and splash areas designed to accommodate children of different ages and abilities.

The overall project is expected to take approximately two years to complete.

Gilbert’s Growth Is About More Than New Homes

When people consider living in Gilbert, schools and home prices are often among the first things they look at.

But the growth of a community can also be seen in the infrastructure being built around it.

Gilbert Regional Park serves South Gilbert, while Desert Sky Park is closer to the Power Road and Gateway area. With both parks expanding at the same time, Gilbert is continuing to invest in recreation, sports, and family-friendly amenities as the community grows.

Road projects such as the Ocotillo Road extension are also improving connectivity across the southern and southeastern parts of Gilbert.

If you’re exploring Gilbert as a place to live, it’s worth looking beyond the homes themselves. Parks, roads, recreation, and future infrastructure can make a meaningful difference in everyday life — and in how a community develops over time.

Source: azcentral