Sunstate Bank donates $10,000 to Pacana Park’s Grand Opening

Sunstate Bank’s generous donation of $10,000 will go a long way to making the Grand Opening of Pacana Park even more successful. Branch Manager Randy Wheeler and several of his colleagues presented the check to Parks, Recreation and Libraries (PRL) Director Marty McDonald Tuesday morning.

Sunstate Bank’s $10,000 check presentation included (from left) Gloria Estrada, Operations Manager Leslie Galaz, Branch Manager Randy Wheeler, PRL Director Marty McDonald and Paula Hansen.

“I am excited to have Sunstate Bank serve as the official co-presenter for the park’s grand opening,” stated McDonald. “We plan on giving away several exciting items from fitted baseball caps to back sacks due to their generosity. Sunstate Bank has been around for a very long time, and they are committed to the future of Maricopa.”

The 18-acre Pacana Park, Maricopa’s first municipal park, is scheduled for its official Grand Opening on Friday and Saturday, September 15-16. Friday night events, sponsored by Element Homes and Sunstate Bank, will include celebrity softball, recognition of the Maricopa Little League All-Stars and, potentially, visits from members of the Arizona Cardinals and the Phoenix Suns.

In addition to lots of food, bounce houses, carnival games and live music will be featured to ensure a great, family outing. The Community of Hope Church will sponsor a family movie in the park on Saturday.

Element Homes, the other co-presenter, donated the amenities, all plans, grading and the construction of the 2.5-acre lake for the park, located at the corner of Porter Road and Allen Stephens Parkway.

Rancho El Dorado resident Lynn Acosta submitted the winning name for the park. Pacana, which means “pecan” in Spanish, is a fitting title for what was once a 1,000-acre pecan grove. Thirty-six of those trees are still in the park, but they won’t provide the only shade for park goers. In all there will be about 150 trees, as well as shade armadas with barbeque grills and picnic tables situated throughout the park.

Lighted softball fields, soccer fields, basketball and tennis courts, a tot lot, a concession stand and restrooms will make Pacana Park a place for sports enthusiasts and residents of all ages to enjoy. The 2nd Annual Parent-Child Fishing Derby on Labor Day, September 4, (see related story) will be the park’s opening event.