Sahuaro Ranch Park Glendale, AZ

Discover Glendale's Agricultural Past at Family Friendly Glendale AZ Park

Sahuaro Ranch Park, a serene, historic park tucked away in a quiet northern Glendale neighborhood, is one of the few remnants of the agricultural heritage of Phoenix's vast Salt River Valley.

Drive through the city of Glendale today and you can't tell from its many housing subdivisions and shopping centers that this area once was important farming and ranching community.

But a visit to Sahuaro Ranch Park Glendale, which preserves a small part of this legacy, is a step back in time to a simpler yet hardworking way of life.

The ranch was owned by William Henry Bartlett, a successful businessman and rancher from Peoria, Illinois, who potential in the development of the Western frontier.

The colorful rose garden and ranch house at Sahuaro Ranch Park

Bartlett homesteaded Sahuaro Ranch in 1886, one year after the completion of the Arizona Canal.

The Arizona Canal diverted water from the Salt River and carried it over 44 miles across the Salt River Valley.

The canal was created from canals originally dug by the indigenous Hohokam people, centuries before.

Once completed, the Arizona Canal opened up over 100,000 acres of dry desert lands to homesteading and irrigation farming and set the stage for Phoenix's future explosive growth.

Bartlett and his brother, Samuel, saw bright prospects in fruit ranching and farming.

The Foreman's House at Sahuaro Ranch Park

With water from the canal, large scale farming could be a very profitable enterprise.

They planted the original 640-acre Sahuaro Ranch in figs and other fruit, vineyards and alfalfa.

At one point the property boasted a 100-acre olive orchard and a 20-acre orange orchard. Both were among the first grown in the Valley.

Later, the Bartletts grew cotton, pecans and date palms and raised pigs, sheep and cattle.

The ranch was also famous for its landscaped, park-like setting where rose bushes flourished.

Now part of the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Glendale, Sahuaro Ranch Park preserves 17 acres and 13 original buildings of the farming homestead.

Looking towards the ranch buildings across the demonstration field

You can tour the buildings, including the beautiful main ranch house and the fruit packing shed.

Exhibits trace the history of the ranch and farming in the area.

For a more in-depth look into the history of Sahuaro Ranch Park, sign up for one of the free ranch tours.

Or just take a pleasant stroll through the historic orchards.

Peacocks wander through the grounds and kids will enjoy visiting chickens in the barnyard.

Sahuaro Ranch's huge rose garden is still there and is a popular spot for weddings.

The park is also a lovely spot for an alfresco lunch at one of the many picnic areas in the pecan grove.

This is also a popular recreation area with an off-leash dog park, a large playground, sports fields, sand volleyball courts and lots of open space for fun and play.

This tranquil, historic park is one of the best family friendly Glendale Arizona attractions.

The Fruit Packing Shed dates from 1891

Fast Facts: Sahuaro Ranch Park, Glendale AZ

Amenities:    historical tours; picnic areas and ramadas; playground; dog park; softball complex; soccer fields; sand volleyball courts.

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