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Sports Illustrated Sportstown
Community lauded for varied programming, top facilities, active citizens
By Andrew Schulman
Listening to members of the Scottsdale (Ariz.) Parks, Recreation and Facilities Division (PRFD) gush about their city, you get the feeling that this Phoenix suburb is the closest thing to heaven on earth.
"We live in such a beautiful environment, with a great climate and the unique Sonoran desert surroundings," said Judy Weiss, the division's Facilities Manager. "We are extremely lucky."
The PRFD has a history of using the area's picturesque surroundings while still respecting their natural beauty. To that end, the city -- with strong support from local citizens -- began acquiring a large patch of nearby land and created the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in 1995. The vision behind the Preserve, which will eventually grow to more than 36,000 acres, is to develop a large sustainable natural desert habitat for wildlife and flora that will be available for all to enjoy and experience for generations to come.
Scottsdale's Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt also takes advantage of the area's unique weather patterns. The 7.5-mile greenbelt -- which is essentially a lush green park that runs through the center of the city -- was created during the 1960s to solve Scottsdale's periodic flooding problem. While flooding in the desert may seem like an unlikely phenomenon, Scottsdale had serious issues with it. But the Greenbelt -- literally an oasis in the desert -- takes care of the problem and leaves the community with numerous fields, parks, courts and even a skatepark.
The Greenbelt also includes Scottsdale Stadium, the spring training home of the San Francisco Giants. The Giants' annual two-month visit is just one of the major sporting events that Scottsdale's residents support and look forward to. Others include the All-Arabian Horse Show, Pro Rodeo, the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction and the largest event on the PGA Tour -- the FBR Open.
The facilities used by many of these events -- including the baseball stadium and the TPC at Scottsdale's golf course -- are available to the public the rest of the year. This means that, after watching Barry Bonds hit a home run or seeing Tiger Woods sink a 25-foot putt, residents may venture out on the same ballpark or golf course the following week to try their hand at accomplishing similar feats.
"Its great to be able to host these events for our citizens. They motivate our residents to participate," said Scottsdale Community Services General Manager Debra Baird. "Our citizens are outdoor-sports oriented and enjoy spectating at the major sporting events that take place in the city as well as participating in a variety of activities offered by the division."
The division operates top facilities and offers outstanding programs so that residents and visitors alike can do just that. Along with the traditional parks and recreation programs such as leisure education classes, adult sports leagues and swim lessons, the PRFD also offers some unique activities. Through diverse offerings such as synchronized swimming, hiking in the McDowell Mountain preserve, rock climbing on Pinnacle Peak, skateboarding and equestrian activities, the division works to meet the needs of all of its citizens.
For the youth of Scottsdale, recreational and competitive opportunities exist in baseball, soccer, lacrosse and softball. Last year, more than 17,000 children were registered in programs run by more than 50 non-profit youth sports organizations, all partners of the PRFD.
With the beautiful weather -- city research shows that Scottsdale averages 314 sunny days per year -- and all of these opportunities to get out and participate, it's no wonder the city's residents are so active and supportive.
"On most days the parks are filled with people enjoying the weather, socializing with friends and family, playing a game, or just contemplating the beautiful area in which we live," said Baird. "We are proud of the services and programs we offer and grateful for the support of our citizenry."
They have shown this support by passing a $124.7 million bond issue in 2000 for the development of parks and open space to plan for the community's future. Residents have been honored again and again, as the PRFD is consistently recognized for its excellence. Scottsdale took home the NRPA's 2003 National Gold Medal, one of the organization's highest honors -- for the third time -- and is also the only city in Arizona to be nationally accredited through the National Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies.
Scottsdale residents now have one more thing to be proud of -- they're the only people in Arizona who can say that they live in a Sports Illustrated Sportstown.
