MARICOPA COUNTY Parks & Recreation
234 N. Central Ave , Suite 6400
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Dawna Taylor 602/506-1114 office
Terry Gerber 602/372-7460 ext. 202
Ph 602-506-2930
Maricopa County Parks
Kayaking 101: Learn Basic Safety, Paddling and Navigation Tips
July 21, 2011
What:
Get Wet: Introduction to Kayaking
Where:
Desert Outdoor Center at Lake Pleasant
41402 N. 87th Avenue
Peoria, AZ 85383
When:
Friday, August 5 (classroom) / Saturday, August 13 (on water)
Friday, September 2 (classroom) / Saturday, September 10 (on water)
Friday, October 7 (classroom) / Saturday, October 15 (on water)
Who:
Individuals interested in learning how to kayak
(Peoria) – Have you ever wondered what it would be like to skim across a flat water lake in a kayak? Wonder no more, adventurous first-time paddlers now have an opportunity to attend a Get Wet: Introduction to Kayaking class that covers safety, paddling techniques, navigation tips, equipment and practice time on the lake.
“Lake Pleasant has teamed up with Cabela’s again this summer to host three Get Wet: Introduction to Kayaking on-water paddling sessions,” stated Terry Gerber, Lake Pleasant Regional Park Interpretive Ranger.
“The class is $35 per person which includes a one hour class at Cabela’s and three hours of on-water instruction at the Desert Outdoor Center from the park rangers. We’re committed to making this an enjoyable experience for those enrolled in the class so we provide the kayaks, paddles and life-jackets. We just ask that everyone come prepared to have a good time,” added Gerber.
The agencies are currently accepting enrollment for the Friday, August 5 session which will take place at 6 p.m. in Cabela’s Painted Desert Conference Room located at 9380 W. Glendale Avenue in Glendale. Interested parties are encouraged to contact (623) 872-6700 to reserve seats as space is limited and demand is high. Participants must be 12-years or older to attend the on-water portion of the program.
On Saturday, August 13 participants will be able to test their skills at a three hour on-water session in Honeymoon Cove at the Desert Outdoor Center at Lake Pleasant. The Desert Outdoor Center at Lake Pleasant is located at 41402 N. 87th Avenue in Peoria. Participants will be instructed on what to wear and where to go for the on-water session. For more information on the event or upcoming Get Wet: Introduction to Kayaking programs, visit www.maricopa.gov/parks/lake_pleasant.
Little Critters Storytime w/ Ranger Amy -McDowell Park Nature Center
McDowell Mountain Regional Park - Little Critters Storytime with Ranger Amy - (Geared toward preschool and older children) Join us every Thursday for a themed program set around a children's book read aloud by Ranger Amy. Activities vary and may include live animals, songs, crafts, and/or puppet plays. This program takes place in our air-conditioned Visitor Center.
Date: 8/4/2011
Time: 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Duration: 1 hour
Speaker: Ranger Amy Ford
Registration Required: No
Fee: $6 per vehicle park entry fee
Contact: amyford@mail.maricopa.gov 480-471-0173x201
Location: McDowell Mountain Regional Park Nature Center
Address:
16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr.
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Cave Creek Regional Park
Cave Creek Regional Park would like to share with you their monthly scheduled programs. Aside from our regular offerings of programs, we periodically hold special events to share our wonderful facility with the public. In the past, we’ve held events such as stargazing, evening hikes, movies in the park, and holiday events. If you would like to see a list of upcoming events, get more information, or view photos, please visit our website at http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/cave_creek/.
If you would like to receive the latest news via email about our upcoming events, please subscribe to our events calendar by visiting the Main Park Menu and clicking on “Subscriptions” on the left side of the page. Once on the subscriptions page, you can join our park calendar by selecting the “Cave Creek Regional Park” or you can also join the County Parks calendar by selecting “All Parks”. After joining, you will receive emails alerting you when we add new events or make any changes to existing events.
Please feel free to contact us with any additional questions, comments or concerns using the contact information located below.
Thank you.
Cave Creek Regional Park
37019 N. Lava Lane
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Phone (623) 465-0431
Fax (623)465-9284
cavecreekpark@mail.maricopa.gov
Annual Fire Ban To Be Implemented
Maricopa County Parks have set June 1, 2010 as the start date for annual fire ban.
(Phoenix) – The Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department will initiate its annual fire ban beginning Tuesday, June 1. “The vegetation in the parks dried out quickly this spring and, not unlike previous years, this has left the parks with a large quantity of ground coverage that could easily catch fire,” said Maricopa County Supervisors’ Chairman Don Stapley.
“As a precaution, the annual fire ban will be implemented after Memorial Day weekend. The fire ban includes the use of campfires, fire pits and charcoal grills. With the recent passage of House Bill 2246, the Fireworks Bill, we also want to make sure that the public knows that the use of ground and hand-held fireworks are also banned within park boundaries. However, it is still acceptable to use gas/propane grills in designated areas,” Stapley added.
A fire ban is initiated to limit the possibility of starting a brush fire, which could cause serious damage to the parks. Violation of this park rule, Rule 113, may result in a citation. A date to lift the fire ban has not been designated and will be determined by the amount of rain Maricopa County receives during the monsoon season.
There are ten Maricopa County parks that will be affected by the fire ban: Lake Pleasant Regional Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, Adobe Dam Regional Park, Buckeye Hills Regional Park, Estrella Mountain Regional Park (excludes turf area), San Tan Mountain Regional Park, Usery Mountain Regional Park, McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Cave Creek Regional Park, and Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area.
Smoking in the parks is still permissible, but all park users are strongly encouraged to be responsible in their use and ensure that all cigarettes are properly extinguished and placed in trash receptacles.
If you have any questions regarding the fire ban, call the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department at (602) 506-2930, or visit www.maricopa.gov/parks.
Lake Pleasant Kicks Off National Safe Boating Week
Is your boat ready for the water?
May 6, 2009 - Is your watercraft safe? If you hesitated while answering this question, then you won’t want to miss the 2009 Arizona Safe Boating Celebration at Lake Pleasant Regional Park on May 16 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Free vessel safety checks will be offered by the U.S. Power Squadron and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary at the ten and four-lane boat ramps.
The average check takes approximately 15-minutes and can be performed while you’re preparing to launch your boat. During the check, examiners will review federal and state boating laws and recommend equipment that will help to ensure that your boat is operating safely. Experts will also be on hand to provide information on how to select the right life-jacket, the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning, the consequences for operating a boat under the influence of alcohol and those pesky aquatic hitchhikers, Quagga mussels.
Don’t have a boat? No problem. Visit the vintage life-jacket display to see how life-jackets have evolved over the years. Don’t have a life-jacket? Lake staff will be on hand to distribute life-jackets to individuals who do not have their own safety gear as part of the free life-jacket loaner program. Additional activities include a wakeboard demonstration and a variety of vendors. Prizes will be raffled off throughout the morning. The first 200 vessel owners who receive a safety check will receive a discount coupon for future park entry. The event is included in the $5 per vehicle park entry, $2 per watercraft, fee.
For more information on the event, visit www.azsafeboating.org. Lake Pleasant Regional Park is located at 41835 N. Castle Hot Springs Road in Morristown. From I-17, take SR-74 (Carefree Highway) west; turn right at Mile Post 19; three miles to the park entrance. For additional information on the park, visit www.maricopa.gov/parks/lake_pleasant.
ANNUAL FIRE BAN TO BE IMPLEMENTED
County Parks set May 26 as start date for annual fire ban
May 11, 2009 - The Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department will initiate its annual fire ban beginning Tuesday, May 26. “The vegetation in the parks dried out quickly this spring due to the warm temperatures and lack of rain. Not unlike previous years, this has left the parks with a large quantity of ground coverage that could easily catch fire,” stated Maricopa County Supervisor Max Wilson, Chairman, District 4.
This year, the fire ban will be initiated after Memorial Day weekend. This will allow those camping in the parks to have a campfire. However, due to the dry conditions, the ban will be implemented immediately following the holiday. The ban includes the use of campfires, fire pits and charcoal grills. It is still acceptable to use gas/propane grills in designated areas, added Wilson.
A fire ban is initiated to limit the possibility of starting a brush fire, which could cause serious damage to the parks. Violation of this park rule, Rule 113, may result in a citation. A date to lift the fire ban has not been designated and will be determined by the amount of rain Maricopa County receives during the monsoon season.
There are ten Maricopa County parks that will be affected by the fire ban: Lake Pleasant Regional Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, Adobe Dam Regional Park, Buckeye Hills Regional Park, Estrella Mountain Regional Park (excludes turf area), San Tan Mountain Regional Park, Usery Mountain Regional Park, McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Cave Creek Regional Park, and Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area.
Smoking in the parks is still permissible, but all park users are strongly encouraged to be responsible in their use and ensure that all cigarettes are properly extinguished and placed in trash receptacles.
If you have any questions regarding the fire ban, call the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department at (602) 506-2930, or visit www.maricopa.gov/parks.
LAKE PLEASANT FOUR-LANE TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Tribal Sprint Triathlon Temporarily Closes North Entry into Park
April 29, 2009 - (Peoria) Lake Pleasant Regional Park will host the Tribal Sprint Triathlon the first weekend of June. The event will close both the north entry into the park and the four-lane boat ramp at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 5; however, they will reopen to the public at noon on Saturday, June 6. Park visitors are encouraged to use the ten-lane boat ramp on South Park Road accessed through the main entrance of Lake Pleasant Regional Park.
Expect delays in both directions on Castle Hot Springs Road on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. as athletes will be on the roadway. Deputies from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office will be on hand to direct traffic.
For more information, contact the park directly at (602) 372-7460. Lake Pleasant Regional Park is located at 41835 N. Castle Hot Springs Rd. in Morristown.
Lake Pleasant Scuba Adventure Day
Fun for the whole family
April 20, 2009 - Peoria, AZ - Join Lake Pleasant Regional Park on Saturday, May 2 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Scuba Adventure Day! At this fun filled family event, attendee’s will find slippery snorkel contests, a kids water craft program and dive shops that are eager to talk about the sport. First time divers are invited to try out the Discover Scuba experience while certified divers enjoy a boat ride to a fish area.
Entry into the event is included in the $5 per vehicle park entry fee; however, additional fees apply for underwater activities. Certified divers who register at the event and pay the entry fee will be eligible to dive and enter underwater treasure and lobster hunts for valuable prizes. Grand prizes include a week long cruise on the Andrea Lynn liveabord dive boat by Sea of Cortez Diving and a weeklong cruise on Blackbeard’s fancy liveaboard 65 ft. sailboat. Bring your swim suit, snorkel or scuba gear and head to the lake for a day of fun!
Divers may obtain a $2 discount coupon from a participating dive shop. Details available online at
www.maricopa.gov/parks/lake_pleasant/scuba.aspx
. For additional information, contact Terry at (602) 372-7460 ext. 202. Lake Pleasant Regional Park is located at 41835 N. Castle Hot Springs Road.
Park Celebrates Bald Eagle Appreciation Day Park Celebrates Bald Eagle Appreciation Day
(Goodyear) - As the eight tiny reindeer head back to the North Pole for some well deserved rest and relaxation, a different type of flying wonder can be found at Estrella Mountain Regional Park this weekend. On Saturday, December 26, Liberty Wildlife Rehabilitators of Scottsdale will have two magnificent eagles, Lady Liberty and Sonora, on display inside the nature center from 11 a.m. to noon for Bald Eagle Appreciation Day.
Joe Miller, Liberty Wildlife volunteer, will share the fascinating tale on how the eagles were injured and the heroic efforts that went into saving them. In addition, Miller will provide information on a small group of wild bald eagles that live year-round in Arizona and theories that they may be a new sub-species of bald eagle.
“At the last Sonoran Audubon Bird Walk, we were fortunate enough to view desert-eagles searching for fish along the Gila River at the park,” stated Patricia Armstrong, Estrella Mountain Regional Park Interpretive Ranger. “It was especially thrilling for the children to be close enough to see their piercing eyes, huge beaks and talons. Eagles are one of the most awesome creatures in nature,” added Armstrong.
Bald Eagle Appreciation Day provides a wonderful opportunity to view the eagle’s close-up and watch one being fed. Pack up the family and head out to Estrella Mountain Regional Park to soar with eagles and, afterwards, stay to enjoy a picnic or a hike with the family. Seymour the big blue eagle will be on-hand to entertain the kids and pass out goodies.
Estrella Mountain Regional Park is located at 14805 W. Vineyard Avenue in Goodyear. For additional information, contact the park at (623) 932-3811 or visit www.maricopa.gov/parks/estrella.
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