Phoenix, Arizona: Don Parks - Yard of Statues and Stuff

Great place to visit! Don was super nice and more than happy to show us around. If you can call ahead or catch Don there, he'll let you tour the houses inside and out.

I will go back! Owner Don told us all about his collections. He played his Victrola for us!

I stopped by Don Parks' home and was lucky enough to pull up just as Don was coming out the front gate. We talked for a minute, and when I answered "Yes" to the question, "So, did you hear about my place on Roadside America?," Don offered me a tour of the grounds.

The most important thing to report is that Don's collection has spilled over onto the lot directly across the street from him. When that property came up for sale, Don bought it, and now that house and yard are also filled with statues, toys, machinery, cars from amusement park rides, you name it. I've never seen so much stuff in one place in my life. It was actually a little overwhelming.

Most notable for me (besides the Muffler Man, of course) were several statues that I honestly couldn't recall ever seeing before, and not one but two examples of the Hobo Joe's statues (like the giant one in Buckeye, AZ). Don's a nice guy, great to talk to, and really knowledgeable about other attractions in AZ. So glad I ran into him.

Stopped there on a hot July day. The place is amazing! Lots to see from the street, can't see the back without crossing private property, so I didn't.

Many statues in a collection in front yard.