phxparks

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29 pools11 dog parks8 golf courses8 lakes stocked for fishing7 skate parks and plazas

The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department builds healthy communities through parks, programs and partnerships; and makes the city a better place to live, visit and play.

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Phoenix Parks and Recreation Board:Sarah Porter (Chairperson)Aubrey BarnwellDorina BustamanteMichael LiebAntonio MoyaRoger PeckCharlene Tarver

Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative (PPPI) Oversight Committee:Tom Chapman (Chairperson)Patricia Garcia DuarteJohn Furniss Sarah PorterBob RinkLE

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IP Administration:Inger Erickson, DirectorTracee Crockett, Assistant DirectorCynthia Aquilar, Deputy Director, Downtown DivisionEsther Avila, Deputy Director, South DivisionAlonso Avitia, Deputy Director, Natural Resources DivisionCynthia Brown, Deputy Director, Northwest DivisionTim Merritt, Deputy Director, Special Operations DivisionDanielle Poveromo, Deputy Director, Northeast DivisionJudy Weiss, Deputy Director, Management Services Division

POPULARAMENITIES

41,000+ acres of desert parks and mountain preserves200+ miles of trails & 41 trailheads182 parks47 parks featuring a FitPHX WalkPHX path32 community and recreation centers

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P H O E N I X P A R K S A N D R E C R E A T I O Npowerofparks

Mission and Goals

Using the “Power of Parks” the department promotes health and wellness, conservation and social equity by providing everyone with opportunities that improve quality of life through access to local parks, recreation and cultural facilities, sports programming and open spaces.

6,257 youth sportsparticipants

hikers counted via our trail counters

3,457,707 449,954community/recreation center visits

partnershipsnon-profit and cultural organizations

16,047 volunteers156K hours of service

7,100 likes 5,700

followersFollowers700rounds of golf played

fiscal year 2016-17

200,40517,567 swim lessons taught (96% class capacity)

293,024 open swim participants

hours of sports fieldreservations

300,000

174sports fields

1,400 students participatedin free tech classes

teenagers enrolled in 295

programs since fall 2016

1,970Total # of full and part-timeemployees

$107,295,000Total annual operating budget for fiscal year 2017-18

1,550 treesplanted on city park property

Featured Accomplishments

Youth participated in free codePHX classes offered at Parks and Recreation facilities and Public Library branches citywide. Made possible thanks to a $500,000 grant from Arizona Community Foundation and Phoenix IDA, and the support of City Council, the courses provide free coding, robotics and 3D modeling instruction for youth ages 4 to 17.

Year one included two 8-week summer sessions and one 10-week fall session. Classes were offered at four recreation sites and eight library locations citywide. The program will expand in the coming years.

codePHX Brings Free Tech Classes to Youth

A focus of the department in 2017 was renovating park properties and upgrading amenities on preserve land citywide. These projects were funded by the voter-approved Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative (PPPI), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and other sources.

Five parks celebrated a grand re-opening following a complete renovation and a new playground was installed in 15 parks. Those new playgrounds replaced structures that were an average of 15 years old. A complete listing is available on page 6.

A five-year infrastructure improvement plan for South Mountain Park/Preserve and Phoenix Mountains Preserve began in the summer. Both areas will receive $23 million in enhancements by fiscal year 2020-21.

Significant Improvements Made to Park Properties and Amenities

Margaret T. Hance and Steele Indian School parks played host to two of the largest special events to ever be held at a City of Phoenix park property.

Hance Park was home to the March Madness Music Festival, part of NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four festivities throughout the city. The free concert attracted 100,000-plus people to the park over a three-day period (March 31 to April 2). Headline performers included Aerosmith, The Chainsmokers, Keith Urban, and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.

Steele Indian School Park was the site of the inaugural Lost Lake Festival during the weekend of October 20 to 22. More than 45,000 concert-goers watched dozens of bands perform on multiple stages over three days. Food vendors, art projects, games and other special features were arranged throughout the park. The event will return to the park annually as part of a long-term agreement with Superfly Productions, which also produces well-known music festivals Bonnaroo and Outside Lands.

Two Regional Parks Transformed into Major Concert Venues

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Accomplishments

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Preserve Land InfrastructureImprovements UnderwayYear one of a five-year infrastructure improvement plan for South Mountain Park/Preserve and Phoenix Mountains Preserve began in the summer. Both areas, which feature many of the city’s most popular hiking trails and outdoor recreation spots, will each receive $23 million in enhancements by fiscal year 2020-21. All projects are funded by the voter-approved Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative (PPPI).

• Renovations and enhancements to South Mountain Park/Preserve’s Pima Canyon Trailhead, Big and Little Ramadas and Central Avenue entrance (gate house and new entry monument) began in the summer.

• Work to upgrade water, sewer and electrical lines at Phoenix

Mountains Preserve’s Piestewa Peak Trailhead was completed at the end of the calendar year.

South Mountain Park Trails Master Plan FinalizedIn the spring, following a nearly year-long public input process, a South Mountain Park/Preserve Trails Master Plan was unveiled. The plan identifies locations for new trails and designates unofficial social trails that need to be re-vegetated.

The master plan also addresses enhanced signage and trail markers.

Mobile Recreation Expands OutreachThe Mobile Recreation program grew to incorporate four themed vans – Sports, MAC (Music, Arts, Culture), Gaming, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) – that actively provided programming to 20 parks five days a week and served more than 4,000 youth. Park locations are strategically chosen to ensure opportunities for youth in areas of the city that do not have a nearby recreation or community center. The vans also are deployed to community special events.

Hance Park RevitalizationWork to implement the Margaret T. Hance Park Master Plan took several important steps forward throughout the year.

• The Hance Park Partner Coalition was created. It consists of the Parks and Recreation Department, Phoenix CommunityAlliance and Hance Park Conservancy. The three entities will work together to raise private funds to cover most of the development and construction costs.

• Hunden Strategic Partners completed an economic impact study of a fully realized Hance Park. It will be shared with potential donors and sponsors.

• Hargreaves Associates began work on master plan implementation, which included a review of the existing park master plan and conceptual designs.

PHXteens Program Thrives in Year OneIn its first year of existence, the free PHXteens program grew its enrollment to nearly 300 teenagers, and impacted participants and the community by accomplishing 4,035 volunteer hours, 56 cultural field trips, 43 recreational field trips and 21 workshops.

PHXteens field trips and civic activities highlights:• Volunteered at St. Mary’s Food Bank• Marched in APS Electric Light Parade• Attended a Parks and Recreation Board Meeting to observe a

public meeting• Visited Downtown Phoenix UofA School of Medicine• Trip to Phoenix Art Museum• Trip to Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course and socialized with

teens from Flagstaff’s Hal Jensen Recreation Center

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Phoenix Indian School Visitor Center Revives History In October, the $1.5 million Phoenix Indian School Visitors Center opened in Steele Indian School Park. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building was part of the former Phoenix Indian School. The project to renovate the structure was made possible by a partnership between Native American Connections, Phoenix Indian Center and the City of Phoenix. Native American Connections operates the center, which educates about the history of the school, which was operated from 1891 to 1990.

Maryvale Baseball Park Renovation Plan ApprovedIn November, City Council voted in favor of a plan to renovate Maryvale Baseball Park, which has served as the Spring Training home of the Milwaukee Brewers since 1998. The plan keeps the team in Maryvale through at least 2042. Construction is scheduled to begin in late March 2018 and be substantially completed by the start of 2019 Spring Training. The Brewers will invest between $41 to $63 million for the project and assume operation and maintenance of the facility.

Deer Valley Park Dog Park Features New ConceptIn October, the city’s eleventh dog park was opened in Deer Valley Park. The facility features three sections – one for large dogs, one for small dogs and one to be rotated during turf regeneration periods. The new design concept helps improve customer service by ensuring two sections will always be available for public use.

FitPHX WalkPHX Program ExpandsWalking is the No. 1 activity done in parks nationwide and 21 WalkPHX paths were added in city parks in 2017. That grew the total number of parks with WalkPHX amenities to 47. These paths feature directional signs and distance markers to help walkers track their mileage and achieve personal fitness goals. The WalkPHX program is part of the city’s FitPHX initiative, which works to improve health and wellness in the region and make the Phoenix area one of the healthiest in the nation.

Accomplishments

“Take a Hike. Do it Right.” Based off trail counter data, City of Phoenix hiking trails had 3,457,707 visitors in 2017, which was an increase of 577,666 from 2016. Conversely, the Phoenix Fire Department responded to 17 fewer mountain rescues calls in 2017 than during the previous year (255 compared to 272). City of Phoenix Park Rangers continually work to educate trail users about safety by presenting the “Take a Hike. Do it Right.” message and guidelines. Phoenix’s trail system is popular with locals and tourists, and through the city’s Concierge Education Program, which started in 2016, park rangers work with staff at hotels and resorts to educate guests about hiking safety.

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Fabulous Phoenix 4th CelebrationThousands of people braved the summer heat to show their patriotism and celebrate the nation’s birthday at the annual Fabulous Phoenix 4th of July event held at Steele Indian School Park.

Winter Nights, Dazzling LightsThousands of Valley residents lined the streets of Central Phoenix on the first Saturday night in December to get into the holiday spirit by watching the 31st annual APS Electric Light Parade. Thousands more viewed the parade via a Facebook Live event streamed by media partner ABC15 Arizona. PHXTV Channel 11 replayed a telecast of the parade throughout the month of December.

Accomplishments

Five parks received a complete renovation:•Ma-Ha-Tauk Park•Maryvale Tot Lot Park•Nueve Park (includes new skate plaza)•Willow Park•Yapa Park

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Listing of Renovated Parks and New Playgrounds

New playgrounds installed in 15 parks: •Alkire Park•Country Gables Park•Coyote Basin Park•Green Valley Park•La Pradera Park•Ma-Ha-Tauk Park•Mariposa Park•Maryvale Tot Lot Park

•Moon Valley Park•Nueve Park•Pierce Park•Sumida Park•Sunridge Park•Willow Park•Yapa Park

Upgraded LED lighting installed in 20 parks: •Civic Space Park (decorative lights)•Deer Valley Park Dog Park (area lights)•El Prado Park (area lights)•Green Valley Park (sports field lights)•Hayden Park (area lights)•Ma-Ha-Tauk Park (area lights)•Mariposa Park (area lights)•Marivue Park (area lights)•Maryvale Park (area lights and sports field lights)•Mountain View Park (area lights)

•Nueve Park (area lights and sports field lights)•Pierce Park (area lights)•Smith Park (area lights)•Solano Park (area lights)•Sumida Park (area lights)•Sunridge Park (area lights)•Sweetwater Park (sports field lights)•Washington Park (area lights)•Willow Park (area lights and sports field lights)•Yapa Park (area lights)

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Sponsorships and Grants

Community Development Block GrantThroughout the year, in partnership with the Neighborhood Services Department, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds were used to upgrade parks, community and recreation centers and playgrounds; and install energy-efficient LEDs and make Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) enhancements.

Arizona Community Foundation / Phoenix IDAThe codePHX program, which provides free coding, robotics and 3D modeling instruction for youth ages 4 to 17 at citywide recreation and public library facilities, launched in the summer thanks to a matching funds grant from Arizona Community Foundation and Phoenix IDA totaling $500,000.

Fiesta Bowl CharitiesIn March, a parkour-style course, which features a variety of obstacles like those seen in the popular American Ninja Warrior competition, was opened in Washington Park. The project was funded by a $100,000 grant from Fiesta Bowl Charities.

National Collegiate Athletics AssociationAn NCAA Legacy Restoration Project grant provided funding for a new outdoor basketball court and renovated gymnasium at historic Harmon Park. The upgraded amenities were unveiled at a community and media event in March as part of NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four festivities in the city.

Milwaukee BrewersIn March, the Milwaukee Brewers, who call the city’s Maryvale Baseball Park their Spring Training home, made a $15,000 donation to help fund the department’s Aquatics Kool Kids program. This annual donation by the team funds free open swim at select city pools for youth age 17 and younger.

Southwest Airlines / Phoenix SunsA renovated Eastlake Park Learning Center opened in April. The project was made possible thanks to a $20,000 grant from Southwest Airlines and the Phoenix Suns. Mayor Greg Stanton, former City Councilman Calvin Goode, Police Chief Jeri Williams and Southwest Airlines and Phoenix Suns VIPs helped youth from the surrounding neighborhood celebrate the grand re-opening.

CignaIt was the 25th year of the department’s relationship with Cigna, which serves as a sponsor of the city’s Aquatics programs. In June, Cigna provided the department with $37,500 to fund free “Cigna Summer” events, including Itty Bitty Beach Parties, Fiesta del Agua and the annual Junior Lifeguard Olympics. Those community events provide free activities and water safety lessons to hundreds of residents.

Honors and Awards

Alliance for Innovation

PHXteens program given the Outstanding Achievement in Local Government Innovation Award.

Arbor Day Foundation

City of Phoenix distinguished as “Tree City USA” for the 31st consecutive year.

Arizona Forward Environmental Excellence Awards

Desert Hills Trailhead honored with the Crescordia Award in the category of Parks and Trails Site Development.

Pueblo Grande Museum “Passage” entrance way received Award of Merit in the category of Art in Public Places.

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P H O E N I X P A R K S A N D R E C R E A T I O Npowerofparks

phoenix.gov/parks