Rocking K Ranch, a growing community south of Tucson, is set against the stunning high Sonoran Desert landscape, featuring resilient arid terrain, saguaro-studded hills, and seasonal bursts of color. As the only community park in the region, Diamond Community Park serves as a vital recreational hub for residents and visitors alike. With the community continuing to expand, it was essential to explore how the park could evolve to meet the increasing demand for amenities and programming.
Through extensive collaboration with event programming staff, two design concepts were developed, ultimately leading to a preferred plan that enhances the park’s functionality, accessibility, and overall experience. At the heart of the design is a central organizing promenade, which unifies the park by connecting key amenities while providing shaded seating areas for relaxation and social gatherings. Along this promenade, several exciting new activities have been introduced, including a jumping pillow/trampoline, an amphitheater-style outdoor movie venue and event terrace with the mountains as a dramatic backdrop, and a cornhole and lawn game area. Additional enhancements such as pickleball courts with shaded gathering spaces, a reimagined turf hill, an expanded water play environment, a skate park, and tennis courts further enrich the park’s recreational offerings.
The plan also focuses on improving the park’s entry and arrival sequence, ensuring a more welcoming and intuitive experience. Play areas have been consolidated under a large shade structure, while other upgrades, such as new storage facilities, support better functionality for event programming. With these thoughtful and strategic improvements, Diamond Community Park is set to become an even more dynamic and well-loved destination, enhancing the quality of life for Rocking K Ranch residents and the surrounding community.
Office: Norris Design
Client: Rocking K Ranch
Contributions: Co-project director, lead designer
