Scottsdale Update - April 20, 2026

Scottsdale wants to help you stop sneaky leaks and save water while you're at it!

Scottsdale is encouraging residents to check for hidden irrigation leaks that can waste significant amounts of water and increase utility bills. Even small leaks can add up to thousands of gallons over time, with warning signs including soggy areas, unusually green patches or sudden spikes in water use. Conserving water is critical in the desert, and fixing leaks helps protect Scottsdale’s long-term water supply and community sustainability.

Take advantage of free resources, including leak alerts through the WaterSmart portal, educational workshops and downloadable guides. The city also offers free Outdoor Water Efficiency Checks to help homeowners improve irrigation system performance. Additionally, residents can report excessive water runoff through the ScottsdaleEZ portal. By addressing leaks early, residents can save water, reduce costs and support the city’s ongoing commitment to water stewardship.

Learn more.

Scottsdale parks and McDowell Sonoran Preserve see early improvements from voter-approved Prop 490.

Just nine months after voter approval, Scottsdale’s Prop 490 Parks & Preserve Sales Tax is already delivering visible improvements across parks, trails and recreational spaces citywide. The 0.15% tax, which took effect July 1, 2025, funds maintenance and enhancements, including new sod, plants and trees, storm damage repairs and upgrades to sport courts, ballfields and park facilities. Investments have also improved maintenance efficiency and supported planning efforts to guide future park improvements, particularly in high-use and aging areas like the Indian Bend Wash.

In the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, funding is supporting wildfire risk reduction through fuel management projects and invasive species treatment across more than 700 acres. Trail improvements, including repairs along Sunrise Trail and planned new connections and reroutes, are enhancing safety and the visitor experience, along with updated signage and safety messaging. The city has also expanded staffing, adding roles such as a park planner and urban forester to support long-term sustainability.

Learn more.

Get a head start learning about city issues, projects and activities by attending or listening in on the many public meetings we host.

Week of April 20:

• Tourism Development Commission: 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 21
• Neighborhood Advisory Commission Regular Meeting: 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 22
• Planning Commission Regular Meeting: 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 22
• Budget Review Commission Regular Meeting: 4 p.m. Thursday, April 23
• Human Services Advisory Commission: 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 23
• Audit Committee Regular Meeting: 3 p.m. Friday, April 24

Week of April 27 – Check back next week for the full list:

• City Council Special Meeting: 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 28

Learn about the responsibilities of city Boards and Commissions and how you can serve.

Find more public meetings.

Entertainment Extravaganza.

The Entertainment Extravaganza features over 25 performers with singing, dancing, magic and comedy acts. Presented by Scottsdale Senior Services and McDowell Village Senior Living.

• 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. 2nd St.

Bike To Work Day.

Bike commuters, and anyone else who loves to ride, are invited to visit designated pit stops throughout the city to celebrate Bike to Work Day. Check out the map online and plan your ride. Each pit stop has its own personality and charm - you may want to swing by more than one stop. Breakfast snacks and door prizes, including Bike Month swag will be available at all stops.

• 7-8:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 22, at various locations

The Inaugural Cattle Track Tour.

Discover the story of Cattle Track, a historic arts enclave where creativity has thrived for generations. During this first-ever Cattle Track Tour, registered guests will participate in a privately guided tour through historic spaces, including studios, workshops, and historic structures.

You'll meet resident artists and engage with up to 25 guest artists who will be showcasing and selling their work.

• 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, April 25, and 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday, April 26, at 6105 N. Cattletrack Road
• Admission is free, but capacity is limited. Secure your tour time by registering online.

Explore galleries during Scottsdale ArtWalk.

Scottsdale is home to more than 100 galleries, dedicated to exhibiting the finest visual art from around the world and locally. Stroll at your own pace. 7-9 p.m. Thursdays. Specialty-themed Gold Palette ArtWalks are held 6:30-9 p.m. about once a month.

Ongoing

• Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts: Attend exciting, live performances throughout the year.
• Find McDowell Sonoran Conservancy events.
• Discover Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West activities.
• Get Scottsdale Sister Cities events.

Get more events information.

Help Scottsdale seniors beat the heat.

Scottsdale is seeking donations for its annual Beat the Heat Program, which provides homebound seniors in need with essential supplies to stay safe and cool during the extreme heat of summer.

Donations are being accepted through May 15.

Donated items can be dropped off from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road.

Monetary donations are also being accepted online.

Learn more about the program and the items needed.

Spring into water savings with free conservation workshops.

Scottsdale is offering free Springtime Water Conservation Workshops to help residents create water-efficient landscapes, reduce utility costs and support long-term water sustainability. Hosted by Scottsdale Water, the expert-led sessions focus on practical strategies such as smart irrigation, selecting desert-adapted plants and designing low-water-use landscapes. With 65-70% of residential water use occurring outdoors, the workshops aim to deliver high-impact solutions homeowners can apply immediately. Sessions include topics like irrigation techniques, xeriscape garden tours and converting grass to desert-friendly landscaping.

• April 24 - Scottsdale's Xeriscape Garden Tour
• May 26 - Converting Grass to Xeriscape

Learn more and register.

Scottsdale Leadership needs your help!

The Inaugural Cattle Track Tour is just around the corner and the Scottsdale Leadership group organizing the event is seeking volunteers to help ensure the event goes off without a hitch! If you have a few hours to spare and want to help out, there are many varieties of volunteer shifts available. This community event has been orchestrated entirely by volunteers, and we need many more to pull it off! Consider spending a few (extra) hours at Cattle Track. Volunteer sign-up.

Job of the Week: Streets Equipment Operator.

The streets equipment operator plays a vital role in maintaining Scottsdale's roadways and public spaces. As part of the Transportation & Infrastructure team, this position operates a variety of medium to heavy equipment to clean streets, grade roads, clear brush, and support infrastructure projects across the city. This work improves transportation safety, supports neighborhood upkeep, and contributes to Scottsdale's overall appearance.

Learn more and apply.

We need your home movies!

If you have videos from the 1950s through the 1980s featuring Scottsdale events or landmarks - such as Parada del Sol, the rodeo, the grand opening of Scottsdale Fashion Square or historic flooding - we'd love to include them in the Scottsdale 75 documentary celebrating the city's 1951 incorporation.

The documentary will be shown at the city's June birthday celebration and on Scottsdale Video Network.

Please send digital links to [email protected] with the subject line “75 Documentary.” Submissions are requested by April 30.

Recruits tackle live fire training.

Last week, recruits from Scottsdale Fire's Regional Training Center Academy 26-1 put their skills to the test during a live fire evolution. Working alongside partners from Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department and Superstition Fire & Medical District, the training focused on fire behavior recognition, coordinated fire attack, search operations and crew accountability.

These hands-on exercises provided real-world experience under controlled conditions, helping recruits build the skills needed to protect and serve the community. See these future firefighters in action.

Communication is key.

Scottsdale Public Library shared a lighthearted reel highlighting the importance of communication among coworkers. From shelving books to navigating the stacks, and even avoiding sneaky surprises for unsuspecting readers, the video shows how a little communication can go a long way in keeping things running smoothly (and humorously).

Disc golf course upgrades take shape at Vista del Camino Park.

Scottsdale Parks & Recreation is bringing major improvements to the Shelly Sharpe Memorial Disc Golf Course at Vista del Camino Park. These upgrades are part of the larger Indian Bend Wash Lakes and Irrigation Project. While construction continues on the north end of the park, players can still enjoy a temporary course at the south end. Completion is expected in late summer 2026. Curious about what's changing? Watch the reel for a preview of the upgrades and what's ahead!