20 years and growing
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Gladden Farms’ very first residents! Since those early days in 2004, we’ve witnessed incredible growth in our community and town, with modern amenities, enhanced infrastructure and new conveniences continually and thoughtfully added to enhance resident quality of life.
With just one neighborhood left to open at Gladden Farms, we’re celebrating by spotlighting the latest amenities and exciting conveniences coming to this exceptional place we call home.
What’s new at Gladden Farms?
With the opening of two new dog parks in 2023, Gladden Farms pups have never had it better! Leading the pack is the six-acre, tricked-out Paws n’ Claws Park, exclusively for residents and located in the heart of the community. With fenced-in doggie play areas plus double zip lines and dinosaur dig for the kids, it’s a great spot for pups and youngsters to burn off energy before dinnertime.
A second dog park joined the neighborhood in fall of 2023 at Gladden Farms Community Park. Open from 7 AM – 9 PM, it’s the newest of Marana’s public dog parks, joining those at Ora Mae Harn District Park, Tangerine Sky Park, Crossroads at Silverbell District Park and San Lucas Community Park.
Other recent additions to Gladden Farms Community Park include the renovated baseball and softball fields with new lighting for evening play. These are adjacent to two full-size soccer fields, completed in 2022, where pee-wee soccer practice is regularly held as part of Marana Parks & Recreation’s exceptional programming.
What’s coming to Gladden Farms & Marana?
Shopping & dining
Get excited! Residents will soon have the convenience of a Fry’s Food Marketplace minutes from home at Tangerine Road and Lon Adams Road. Scheduled to open in the summer of 2024, the new Fry’s will house a full-service grocery, pharmacy and Starbucks. Restaurants, retail stores and a fuel center will follow as part of a larger commercial center.
Also joining the neighborhood is an Ace Hardware and a second Starbucks in the Crossroads at Gladden area at Tangerine Rd and I-10.
And, to keep traffic flowing with these new developments, the interchange at Tangerine and I-10 will be enhanced with additional turn lanes as part of town improvements.
Recreation
In addition to new shopping and dining, Pima County and the Town of Marana are consistently investing in high-quality recreational amenities, including these exciting developments coming to our neighborhood!
Central Arizona Project (CAP) Trail
Get ready for more hiking, biking, and equestrian opportunities with the expansion of the Central Arizona Project (CAP) Trail in Marana. The planned 336-mile CAP Trail will follow the CAP canal from the Colorado River to the Tohono Oʼodham Nation. When finished, residents will have access to the trail’s northern and southern segments from the Tangerine Road trailhead just outside Gladden Farms. A bicycle-pedestrian bridge will seamlessly connect the two trail segments for uninterrupted exploration.
The CalPortland Loop Connection
Marana’s beloved shared-use path is gearing up for an epic upgrade: soon, residents will be able to cruise south from Gladden Farms Community Park straight onto Tucson’s legendary 131-mile Huckelberry Loop! The CalPortland Loop connection, the link that will make it possible, is already under construction, with scheduled completion by Fall 2024. Stay tuned for updates as the town paves the way for even more outdoor fun!
Marana Community and Aquatic Center
Perhaps the most exciting development of all is the upcoming Marana Community and Aquatic Center. After six years of planning, the town broke ground last fall on the 61,000-square-foot facility. Located 5 minutes from home at Marana Main Street and Bill Gaudette Drive, this community hub offers something for everyone:
- Two heated swimming pools for year-round use
- Basketball, pickleball and volleyball courts
- Fitness center for individual recreation or Zumba, spin and yoga classes
- A three-lane indoor walking track
- Child watch room
- A teen space with a homework room and video game screen wall
- Event space
The multi-generational community center will also feature a beautifully illuminated public art installation celebrating Marana’s heritage. Expected to open in spring of 2025, you can watch the center go up on the Town of Marana’s live project webcam.
As we mark Gladden Farms’ 20th year, we’re celebrating our journey and bright future ahead. Here’s to another two decades of community, camaraderie and fun in our vibrant, growing community!
About Gladden Farms
Gladden Farms promotes active, joyful living. It’s a great setting to make friends, play and call home. Our stylish, eco-smart, affordable new homes in Marana start in the lower $300Ks — perfect for young professionals, families of all sizes, empty nesters and retirees. Our family-friendly community features year-round events, 850+ acres of lush green space, 30 parks, miles of landscaped paseos connecting to scenic trails, 24 playgrounds, playfields, a splash pad, a dog park and picnic and BBQ areas.