All the facts about Maricopa’s future city park

Tennis anyone? Soccer? Softball? Football or basketball? How about hiking some trails or watching your kids playing in a shaded tot lot? After months of public input, town halls and committee meetings, Maricopa’s first city park will provide area residents with these sports and past times, as well as many more scheduled community events.

Where is this park?
The site covers 18.8 acres off Porter Road. Traveling south on Porter Road, you will pass the intersection of Porter and Honeycutt Roads. Off to your right, you will see a stand of 15-20 pecan trees, which will be part of the park, (hence its working name, “Pacana”, or pecan tree in Spanish).

When will the park be completed?
Maricopa’s first public park will be available exactly one year from now. General construction will begin in December although the 2.25-acre lake has been dug out and covered in plastic sheeting. Groundbreaking ceremonies are scheduled for January 2006.

The 2.25 acre lake in the preparation stage.

Who will use the park?
You and approximately 50,00 other Maricopa area residents will benefit from the park’s amenities. All City of Maricopa Parks, Recreation and Libraries (PRL) programs and events for both youth and adult sports will be held here. Little League, Maricopa Youth Tackle Football, community organizations and home-schooled students will have the opportunity to use the facilities, while parking in the 60 space lot.

What amenities will be available at the park?
Maricopa’s first city park will feature approximately 200,000 square feet of athletic fields. Two lighted tennis courts, the first tennis courts in Maricopa, will be available. Sports enthusiasts and their families can participate on two softball fields with stadium lights, one dedicated soccer / football field, one multi-use soccer / football field, as well as on one full and two half-sized, lighted basketball courts.

Multi-age playground structures with covered shade will be built. Restrooms (with a diaper changing station), storage areas for equipment and a small concession stand will be provided. The lake will accommodate young fisherman in the city’s annual Fourth of July Fishing Derby. Hikers and bicyclists will enjoy 50,000 square feet of 8′ wide trails. Family groups can find shade in the ramadas, which will include picnic tables and barbeque grills.

The “Pacana” Park site plan.

How much will this fully equipped park cost?
Taxes will not be raised to fund the park. Mike Jesberger and Element Homes have generously offered to provide the park amenities, the grading of the park site, all architectural, engineering and landscaping plans as well as construction of the lake, the pump house and the effluent delivery line. These donations total $3,255,000 in estimated taxpayer savings.

The City of Maricopa will purchase the 18.8 acres from Element Homes at a cost no higher than $100,000 and no lower than $80,000 per acre based upon appraisal. The anticipated cost of maintaining the park is about $6,000 per month.

Since taxes are not being used, how will the city fund the park?
The purchase of the park is fully funded within the 2006 city budget. The Parks Impact Fee Fund will account for $900,000 while the General Fund will provide $1 million.

Four potential sources of revenue will help to offset the ongoing maintenance and operation (M & O) of the park. The PRL Department will program adult sports leagues and tournaments, which will cover the costs of the programs and contribute somewhat to the M & O. Ramada, field and court rentals as well as reservations for the use of the entire park (corporate outings, for example) will also generate funds.

Cell phone towers are expected to realize from $3,000 to $5,000 in revenue each month, which would be used for park maintenance. Companies wanting to sponsor a field would pay a $2,000 fee. Potentially, these four revenue sources could provide a total of $50,000 annually.

According to PRL Director Marty McDonald, “Because this is our first city park, we have an excellent chance of accruing approximately $200,000 to $300,000 in Heritage Grant dollars during fiscal years 2006-2007 and 2007-2008.” The Arizona State Lottery generates the Heritage Fund. Additional funding may come for the Major League Baseball Fields of Tomorrow and the NFL Grassroots Program.

How will the park impact this community economically?
Additional part and full time job opportunities will be created for residents working as league directors, maintenance workers and umpires. Special events, adult sports and site rentals will increase city revenues.

Knowledgeable workers and retirees are attracted to live and work in areas with facilities that improve the quality of residents’ lives. Additionally, homebuyers want to purchase near parks due to the increase in their property values. Finally, the park will provide a place for family fun, fresh air and exercise.

Watch as our first park grows. A year from now we will be walking, or playing tennis or basketball there. We will also be expressing our gratitude to the city and the PRL Department because Maricopa residents can enjoy a wonderful public park with so many amenities.