Margaret T. Hance Deck Park
Rate this placeNearby: Civic Space Park Townsend Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Margaret T.
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Summary
Hance Deck Park is a popular destination located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, Arizona. The park attracts visitors of all ages and interests with its stunning views, beautiful gardens, and array of recreational activities.
One of the main reasons to visit the park is to enjoy the breathtaking views of downtown Phoenix and the surrounding mountains. The park's elevated location provides visitors with panoramic views of the city skyline. The park is also a great spot for a picnic, especially at sunset.
There are several points of interest within the park that visitors should not miss. The Japanese Friendship Garden is a peaceful oasis that features a koi pond, tea house, and beautiful plants and flowers. The park also features a large playground for children, a dog park, and a skate park.
Interesting facts about Margaret T. Hance Deck Park include that it was originally built in the 1990s as part of a freeway construction project, but was later redesigned and renamed in honor of former Phoenix Mayor Margaret T. Hance. The park covers 32 acres and includes over 5,000 plants and trees.
The best time of year to visit Margaret T. Hance Deck Park is during the cooler months of the year, from October to May. During the summer months, temperatures in Phoenix can exceed 100 degrees, making outdoor activities less enjoyable.
Overall, Margaret T. Hance Deck Park is a must-visit destination for anyone visiting Phoenix. The park offers something for everyone, from stunning views to recreational activities, and is a great place to relax and enjoy the beauty of downtown Phoenix.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Civic Space Park
Townsend Park
Patriots Square Park
Woodland Parkway
Heritage and Science Park