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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.