Gateway Park

This is a nice little park with a huge locomotive that you can go up in. There are lots of informational signs around about the area. It is a great place to stretch out your legs after a day getting there.

What a great hidden treasure in Downtown Yuma !!

Great spot to stop and have lunch with the kids. The playground is shaded and there is a sandy beach to play in the water. The area was clean too and we got to watch some trains go by.

This park holds a special place in my heart. I’ve been walking my dog here ever since he was a puppy. It’s a very friendly place, but it can be a little intimidating considering it is in old Yuma, but I’ve never really felt threatened here. Plus, the Sheriff department is less than half a mile away, LOL. Yes, there are a couple of vagrants here and there, but to be honest, they’ve been very friendly as well. The view is beautiful, especially in the evening when you can see the sunset behind the Ocean-​to-​Ocean Highway… Very picturesque.
The city definitely takes good care of this park, and it has «poop» stations for your dogs too, which is a plus! From here, you can even walk to West Wetlands. That’s what we end up doing… or we’ll go around towards the Quartermaster Depot, cross the entrance, then make a left, cross the pretty, white bridge towards the train tracks, and then venture back to the parking lot under the freeway via the Hilton Garden Inn… Lovely walks. Wake up early in the morning and take either walk, it’s very relaxing, and peaceful.

i definitely had a «thank god for Unilocal» moment upon discovering this park. i mean, considering the other ‘popular’ yuma activity suggested to me on all the sites was visiting ye-olé-retired-prison…the park’s neighbor… i felt fortunate there was a lovely river-​side park to chill at instead. so thank you to the person who reviewed this before me, bringing it to light!
i came here on a sunday in december and the park was virtually empty. *obviously* this is a much more popular location during the hot months with the lovely river access. if i ever find myself in yuma again, id like to see it during that time.
in any case, it really is a nice place to spend some time: grassy areas to lie on, a playground, a train for viewing and gentleman explaining all the facts on it, a fun foot bridge to walk across… you even get a peek into aforementioned ye-​olé-​retired-​prison! it provides some charm and beauty to this lazy city sorta in the middle of no where. and hey, i grew up in a town just like yuma so i know how important is it to have SOMEWHERE cool to go to. if visiting yuma, this is one location to check out. picnic lunch would tramp eating at any of the neighboring chains… perhaps grab some sammies from kneaders bakery and head over here! thats what ill do if there IS a next time.

Gateway Park is a wonderful river-​side park situated by the Yuma Territorial Prison and the Ocean to Ocean bridge.
People usually flock here in the summer to jump in the river, lay out on the sand, and cook on the grills. The river is surprisingly clean — you can see clearly through the water to the bottom. It is also very refreshing — temperatures range from the 70’s to 80’s in the summer. It is often a nice change from my chlorinated pool. The depth is relatively shallow in most parts. You can also use tubes to float about 1 hour downstream to West Wetlands Park. Don’t go too far or you’ll find yourself crossing the border into Mexico!
The park is generally clean and provides free parking, bathrooms, and showers as well.
I haven’t lived here long but I’ve already been a few times and like it! I highly recommend going!
P. S. Be careful under the western side of the bridge. It’s a bit deeper (around 7 feet) in one area and the current is a tad stronger. A teenager died there in the summer of ’12, but he probably (and unfortunately) did not know how to swim.