Copper Sky Lake ready to hydrate park

The Copper Sky Lake has been filled with 17.8 million gallons of water, setting the seeds of growth through the Arizona Game and Fish’s community-fishing program and the construction site itself.

“The main purpose of that lake is to irrigate the site,” said Jennifer Campbell, the city’s director of community services. “They’re starting to put in the turf and trees and we’re going to need water to take care of all that stuff so we’re filling it now.”

Copper Sky Lake will be Maricopa’s first catch-and-keep fishing location and is included in the state’s Game and Fish Department’s community-fishing program. 

Through the program, which is free to the city, the state will keep the lake stocked and provide fishing education to visitors.

“The Game and Fish Department will end up marketing our lake as a community-fishing lake in handouts that get passed out to the general public,” Campbell said. “This will be a great marketing tool and show everyone that Maricopa has some great family establishments.” 

The nearest community-fishing lake is in Chandler. Pacana Park isn’t included in the program because it is a catch-and-release lake run by the city. Campbell said that might not be the case much longer.

“We’re actually looking at making Pacana Park a part of the community-fishing program in the near future. The city is looking at what it needs to do to make that happen.” 

With two community-fishing lakes, Maricopa could reduce the costs of maintaining its parks and bring business to the area. 

The 98-acre Copper Sky Recreation Complex at John Wayne Parkway and Bowlin Road will have an indoor running track, recreational and competitive pools, locker rooms, a dog park and fields for various sports. The outer boundary of the park will be a multi-use bike and running trail. 

The complex is scheduled to open next spring.