Don Parks’ Yard of Statues, Signs + other junk

by Kaylah Stroup

In Phoenix, Arizona we stumbled upon this incredible yard. Similar to Jerry Lotz’s yard in Louisville, KY which I visited back in February, Don Parks has a whoooole lot of junk in his front yard…

Don had a little bit of everything. He’s been collecting statues, signs, and other fun miscellaneous things for over forty years. In 2012 he even purchased the property across the street so he could have more room to collect! There is just SO much to see.

I’m so excited that there is more than one place out there with people that have extravagant collections like this in their front yards. Like I said in the post about Jerry’s junk, even though I could never see myself amassing a collection like this, there’s just something that draws me into collections and their owners. It’s like I just get it, I understand how it feels to be passionate about weird things. If there is Jerry, and now Don, there has to be more! I want to visit them all.
xoxo

All of the photos above were taken with a pentax k1000 and Fujifilm 35mm Superia X-TRA 400.

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23 comments

Jordan Mitchell July 15, 2014 - 2:09 pm

I love going to flee markets and thrift stores to see all the junk. There is something quirky and charming about all of it.

OrigamiGirl July 15, 2014 - 2:24 pm

Wow. If you ever come to Britain you HAVE to go to this shop in Yorkshire where they sell weird stone statues of things like Kangaroos. I have driven past it loads of times but can't remember the name now. It's so funny that things like that exist.

My Grama's Soul July 15, 2014 - 4:48 pm

Yikes…….I live in Phoenix….and I have never seen this guy's place…how could I have missed it! LOL

Jo

Kelsea Echo July 15, 2014 - 5:41 pm

Hahaha "slow death" – I think that's my fave.

Kaylah July 16, 2014 - 2:18 am

I know, that was one of my favorite too! I can't possible imagine what it was from!

Tilda July 15, 2014 - 5:56 pm

I love creative hoarders! They curate all the bizarre detritus of our culture and turn it into an artform.

Savvy Spinster Vintage July 15, 2014 - 8:00 pm

So cool! I'd love to visit these kinds of places. It's amazing to see the passion people have for things others might just see as "junk" or "trash"- it makes me feel not so crazy for liking this kind of stuff too! I swear I'm probably going to be that person hoarding weird statues in my front yard some day. 🙂
-Melissa

Kaylah July 16, 2014 - 2:19 am

Well, if you end up being that person, let me know! I'll certainly come photograph your yard. 😉

Ludimila Ágatha July 15, 2014 - 8:05 pm

What a cool place! It must be amazing to walk around and face a curious yard like this. Very cool. xoxo

abigail grace July 15, 2014 - 8:55 pm

That is really cool! I've always been interested in roadside attractions + artwork.

Miranda July 15, 2014 - 11:00 pm

Oh my gosh, this place looks awesome! I love the signs! Thank you for finding these wonderful places to share with us 🙂

Miranda
Little Gold Pocket Watch

itsjpei July 16, 2014 - 3:18 am

Oh dang. That is definitely a lot of stuff!

P.S. Your posts inspire me to write about my own adventures!
http://itsjpei.wordpress.com/

Christina Huerta July 16, 2014 - 5:59 am

This is less than 20 minutes from my apartment and I am just now discovering it. Whoa!

Christina Huerta July 16, 2014 - 6:00 am

Also, are you allowed to just wander into the yard? I'm thinking about checking it out in the morning. Thanks!

Kaylah July 16, 2014 - 1:10 pm

You're not allowed in the yard, just on the sidewalk.

Christina Huerta July 16, 2014 - 11:39 pm

Thank you!

xabz Mukuba July 16, 2014 - 6:42 am

some of the signs are cool, "blown to death"

Elif Onay July 16, 2014 - 9:09 am

Ahaha how cool is this!! I feel the same way about collections and their collectors, they draw me in and I want to know more about the story behind it 🙂

Chamomile Dealer

agingriotgrrrl July 16, 2014 - 7:12 pm

this place looks awesome. have you ever heard of this place? http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/12120 it's in meadville, PA–not tooo too far. i went there when i lived in pittsburgh and it's awesome! this post made me think of it for some reason.

Piscine July 17, 2014 - 1:02 am

Amazing find! I love how he has everything displayed – it's hard to pick a favorite item!

Damaris // The cat, you and us July 17, 2014 - 3:22 pm

Fascinating! I definitely have the "collection itch" in me 😉 not in that large scale hahaha but I have always loved spending time just classifying things. Makes me wonder would Don keep track of all the items in his yard? and how? 🙂 Love the analogue film touch in these pics.

Damaris | The cat, you and us

jessica zhou July 18, 2014 - 5:04 am

wowow from the abandonded amusement park to the museum to this yard (3 posts later), i'm smitten with your blog, i think i've just found a new website to obsessively browse/check (!!!!)

relright January 5, 2015 - 3:50 pm

There's a store similar to this in Pittsboro NC. It's called French Connection. You can take a peek on google street view. If you come to the Triangle area of NC just know I'd be happy to have lunch and suggest fun places to visit.

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