“Marian called it Roxboxen. There across the road, it looked like any rocky hill—nothing but sand and rocks, and some old wooden boxes. But it was a special place: a sparkling world of jeweled homes, streets edged with the whitest stones, and two ice cream shops. All you need to gallop fast and free is a long stick and a soaring imagination.” -Roxaboxen

Roxaboxen Park is where imaginations soar! This uniquely Yuman park was inspired by the internationally known children’s book, “Roxaboxen” by Alice McLerran. The book was written about the author’s mother, Marian Doan’s childhood memories of growing up in Yuma in the early 1900’s. The ½ acre site at the corner of 2nd Avenue and 8th Street is not a typical park. There is no grass or playground equipment. Instead, the park is left much as it was in the 1900’s with the addition of an ADA accessible pedestrian path, informational displays, and seating areas. Children playing at the site are encouraged to use their imaginations and build a community utilizing rocks and boxes like the original “Roxaboxenites”.

Attendees to the unique park are encouraged to leave a painted rock from your home state or home town. Can’t make it to the park, but want to leave your mark? Mail your painted rock(s) to the Yuma Art Center and Arts and Culture Division staff will ensure they are placed in the park.

Mailing address:
Yuma Art Center Attn: Roxaboxen
254 S. Main Street Yuma, AZ 85364.

In May 2019 the park was beautified as part of the Arizona Creative Communities Institute (AZ-CCI) – DIY Murals Yuma project. A mural, sidewalk squares, and lots of rocks were painted by community members. AZ CCI is a learning program wherein diverse teams from Arizona cities, towns, and neighborhoods reimagine community assets and devise meaningful projects that place creative engagement, ethical and equitable practices, and local wisdom at the center. With local and national artists and creative entrepreneurs as collaborators, AZ CCI teams work alongside their neighbors and across the AZ CCI network in support of community transformation through the arts. The AZ CCI is an initiative of the Arizona Commission on the Arts and Arizona State University’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, with guidance from Southwest Folklife Alliance, a nonprofit affiliate of the University of Arizona. The AZ CCI has been made possible by a grant from the Surdna Foundation with additional support from the Arizona Community Foundation.