New city parks announced at Recreation Town Hall meeting

Big plans for the future of Maricopa were announced at Thursday’s Recreation Town Hall meeting. The Parks, Recreation and Libraries (PRL) Advisory Committee unveiled the development of two new parks, an aquatics center, a library and a multigenerational center which would also include a teen center.

The first park discussed was a second city park, temporarily being called Eagle Shadow Park. The City of Maricopa and El Dorado Holdings are negotiating terms of a development agreement that could have the company donating 35 acres of land and $3.5 million to fund the construction of the park. According to PRL Director Marty McDonald, current plans for Eagle Shadow Park include an Arizona Diamondbacks “Field of Dreams” baseball field, a 30,000 square foot skate park, three lighted baseball/softball fields, basketball courts, sand volleyball courts, a splash pad, numerous trails, a dog park, two lighted soccer fields, a remote control car course, an amphitheater, ramadas, a shaded playground and a 3.5-acre lake.

The city’s second public park, temporarily being called Eagle Shadow Park, will have areas for all ages to enjoy.

The Arizona Diamondback premier “Field of Dreams” ball field will offer an old-time stadium feel.

A 262-acre linear park in the Santa Cruz Wash is also in development. The 300-foot wide wash will include jogging, walking and bike trails. The park is being funded by a group of 12 developers who will donate $8.5 million for the development of trails and landscaping.

The committee also discussed the progress of Maricopa’s first city park, Pacana Park, which is tentatively scheduled to open August 3. This park will feature lighted softball fields, tennis courts, soccer fields with a viewing plateau and a three-day grand opening celebration that will take place August 11-13.

Community members browsed suggestion tables during the breakout session.

The latter half of the meeting featured breakout brainstorming sessions which consisted of PRL committee members hosting small groups and soliciting ideas for new programs and special events from the general public. The PRL department now offers over 70 classes and programs, almost quadrupling the 18 classes it provided when the department began just two years ago. However, there is always a need for more classes, instructors and volunteers to meet the community’s needs, prompting the Recreation Town Hall meeting.

Dawn Madden, a member of PRL Advisory Committee, listened to special events suggestions.

Ari Lupercio and Kirsten Molus had some suggestions of their own which included gymnastics and singing classes.

Many community members offered great suggestions. Everything from road races and Shakespeare in the Park for special events to boxing and weight training as new PRL programs were suggested. Kirsten Molus, Diana Lupercio and Ari Lupercio brought their suggestions of gymnastics classes for teens and singing lessons to the table. They also suggested skateboarding classes, since that seems to be a favorite among their friends. When asked what they thought of the informal breakouts, they gave a typical teenage response: “Cool.”

Jake Romero discusses teen center options with PRL committee member Theresa Farley.

Committee member Melanie Anderson read suggestions from the public during the wrap-up portion of the meeting.

Jake Romero had plenty of good ideas regarding the proposed teen center. Romero helped organize and start a teen center in New Jersey, where teen crime was high. One example was making teens responsible for their center by empowering them to run the concession stands that would help support it.

“We had a huge problem with teens; they had nothing to do,” Romero said. “Once the teen center was started, teen related crime was cut in half.”

In addition to all the plans for parks and community facilities, McDonald announced that the PRL Department will be receiving a $10,000 grant from the Helios Foundation to begin much needed teen programs this summer.

The successful Recreation Town Hall meeting brought city officials, including Mayor Kelly Anderson, PRL committee members and residents together with one goal in mind: Creating Community through People, Parks and Programs.