Roxaboxen Park: Where Imagination Soars

Roxaboxen Park, located in the heart of Yuma, Arizona, is a charming tribute to childhood imagination and community spirit. Inspired by Alice McLerran's internationally known children's book, 'Roxaboxen,' the park brings to life the story of children creating their own world in a desert landscape. The book was based on the author's mother, Marian Doan's, childhood memories of growing up in Yuma in the early 1900s. The park, situated on a half-acre site at the corner of 2nd Avenue and 8th Street, differs from a typical park. Instead of grass and playground equipment, Roxaboxen Park retains a natural desert-like setting, mirroring the book's descriptions. It features an ADA-accessible pedestrian path, informational displays, and seating areas. Children are encouraged to use their imaginations to build a community using rocks and boxes, just like the original 'Roxaboxenites'. Visitors are welcome to leave painted rocks from their hometowns, adding to the park's unique landscape. Rocks can also be mailed to the Yuma Art Center for placement in the park. Roxaboxen Park hosts various events and activities throughout the year, enhancing its appeal as a lively gathering place for locals and tourists alike. It's a place where memories are made and new adventures unfold. In May 2019, the park was enhanced with a mural, sidewalk squares, and painted rocks by community members as part of the Arizona Creative Communities Institute (AZ-CCI) project.