Waggoner Park
Lakeshore Dr. & Carver Rd.

8 acres

Waggoner Park is actually two parks separated by two schools. The original park land acquired by the city on the east side is the land currently used by the school for one of the baseball/softball fields.  In the late 1970’s the district and the city did an exchange of property (4.83 acres) that positioned the park and school grounds as they exist today.

The park itself is named in honor of long-time Kyrene School District employee C. Ilo Waggoner.   Mr. Waggoner served the district for 32 years, first as teacher, then principal and finally as superintendent until he retired in 1972.  At the time of his initial hire, 1939, the Kyrene district consisted of 4 single room classroom buildings and a 2-room building located at the corner of Kyrene and Warner Roads on what is today the Kyrene School District office.  Shortly after arrival, Waggoner saw the construction of an auditorium which quickly became the focal point of the Kyrene farming community.  The farm bureau, PTA and numerous community groups held their regular meetings in the auditorium and every school activity performed to standing room only crowds. 

As the district grew, a kitchen and cafeteria were added.  During World War II, local farmers would bring produce to the school and use the school’s equipment to can goods for school and community use.  After the war, the district’s population continued to expand prompting the need for a new school.  The first new school in the district, C.I. Waggoner Elementary was built and opened in 1968.  The City’s park followed shortly thereafter in the 1970’s.  Today the 20-acre campus house 2 parks parcels, C.I. Waggoner and Kyrene Middle schools.

Every day, the campus is an active center of the community.  From learning to play, the Waggoner family can be proud of the legacy left by their patriarch, Ilo that continues to enrich Tempeans mentally and physically each and every day.