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Celebrate the dedication of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve Gateway Saturday

  April 30, 2009

  Contact: Jan Horne, public information coordinator, (480) 312-2626

  Celebrate the dedication of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve
  Gateway Saturday



Residents are invited to the dedication of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve Gateway area on Saturday, May 2.

The Gateway is at 18333 N. Thompson Peak Parkway (east of Thompson Peak Parkway between Bell Road and Union Hills Drive). There is parking on site; however, overflow parking and shuttles will be available between 6:30 and 10:30 a.m. at the Quartz Trailhead parking, 104th Street and McDowell Mountain Ranch Road.

An open house will take place from 7 to 9 a.m. and include a continental breakfast, demonstrations, educational information, and wildlife animal exhibits. Conservancy stewards will lead short hikes, and equestrian and bicycle rides (bring your own horse and bicycle). The formal dedication begins at 8 a.m. with scheduled speakers Vice Mayor Ron McCullagh and artist and early Preserve Advocate Pete Chasar, and McDowell Sonoran Conservancy and McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission representatives.

The Gateway is the largest and most strategically located access point to the Preserve. It includes an accessible and interpretive trail (opening in September), an amphitheater for public education activities and events, restrooms and parking.

For more details, contact the city’s Preservation Office at (480) 312-2577.