| Competitive Track Closed - Estrella |
| Estrella Mountain Park |
| Trails at the Estrella Mountain Regional Park Competitive Track will be closed for biking and hiking during preparation and running of the Freshfit 500 and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Phoenix International Raceway. Trails will reopen on March 10, 2012. Nascar events begin March 2 and conclude March 4 |
| Date: 3/1/2012 |
| Time: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Duration: all day |
| Registration Required: No |
| |
| More Info: http://www.phoenixraceway.com/Raceday/2012-March-Fan-Schedule.aspx |
| Contact: 623 932-3811 |
| Location: Competitive Track - Estrella Mountain Regional Park |
| |
Address:
Avenida Estrella
Avondale, AZ |
 |
|
| Reach Your Goal Fitness Series Finale 8 of 8 - Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Week 8 - Go John Trail - 6 miles/moderate to difficult at points. Meet at the Go John Trailhead. |
| Date: 3/1/2012 |
| Time: 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM Duration: 2 hours |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per vehicle park entry fee |
| |
| Contact: Ranger Sarah sarahsteele@mail.maricopa.gov |
| Location: Meet at the Go John Trailhead |
| |
Address:
37019 N. Lava Lane
Cave Creek, AZ 85331 |
|
| Basics of Bird Watching - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| Interested about getting into bird watching but don’t know where to start? Want to know which bird is which and how to spot them? Join bird expert, Sandy Hornbaker, for this introduction to bird watching as she guides you on a quarter-mile stroll along our Desert Hawk Trail. Bring binoculars if you have them, otherwise, Sandy has some to loan. Please bring water and closed-toe shoes. Location: Nature Center. |
| Date: 3/1/2012 |
| Time: 9:00 AM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
| |
| |
|
| Thursday Bird Walk - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| How do you tell one brown bird from the next, and what are the first three items to look for as the little rascal flits off? Are you already a novice but interested in keeping a yearly, state or country bird list? Bird expert, Sandy Hornbaker, will talk about bird habitat, behavior, range, etc. as we go in search of the native birds in this area. Please bring binoculars and water. Location: Trail Staging Area. |
| Date: 3/1/2012 |
| Time: 9:00 AM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
| |
| |
|
| Yoga – Connect In Nature! – All Levels Class - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| Connect with nature in Usery Park’s Nature Center by exploring your breath before a desert hike. Improve your balance for a bike ride through easy-to-learn, fundamental yoga postures. This all-levels class for both beginners and experienced yogis sets the tone for your day of hiking, riding or…yes, even your workday! Please join Inner Vision Yoga and their certified instructors for inspiring yoga every Monday night at 6pm, Tuesday and Thursday at 9am, and Saturday at 8:30am. Sign up for these fee-based classes at www.innervisionyoga.com or drop into the park. For more information see websites, or call 480-632-7899 or 480-984-0032. Location: Nature Center |
| Date: 3/1/2012 |
| Time: 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: Fee-based program |
| |
| Location: Nature Center |
| |
Address:
3939 N. Usery Pass Rd.
Mesa, AZ 85207 |
|
| "Just for Kids" - Toddler Cruise - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| This 1-mile hike is designed for parents and grandparents with small children, ages 3 - 6 years old. Along with Miss Lynn, the kids will howl like coyotes, do the “bobcat crawl” and learn how to hydrate by counting gulps of water on their fingers. We will explore the desert along the scenic Merkle Trail. The hard-smooth surface of this trail will accommodate wheelchairs and strollers. Please bring water, hats, and closed-toe shoes. Location: Area 6. |
| Date: 3/1/2012 |
| Time: 10:00 AM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
| |
| |
|
| Desert Edibles Walk - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| How have people survived off the land for thousands of years? Which desert plants are edible and when are they edible? If you would like to know the answers to these questions, or any questions you may have about desert edibles, then this walk is for you! Join Ranger B on this quarter-mile stroll along the Desert Hawk Trail as he shares some useful facts about our edible desert plants. Please bring water. Location: Nature Center. |
| Date: 3/1/2012 |
| Time: 10:00 AM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
| |
| |
|
| Thursday Theater - Estrella |
| Estrella Mountain Park |
| The theme for March is “Archaeology”. So to get things started we will be showing the 1981 classic, “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (rated PG), in the Nature Center.
In 1936 a professor who studies archeology “Indiana Jones” is venturing in the jungles in South America searching for a golden idol. Unfortunately, he sets off a deadly trap doing so, and luckily escapes. Then, Indie hears from a museum curator named Marcus Brody about an artifact called The Ark of the Covenant, which could be used as a powerful weapon. Jones has to venture to such exotic places as Nepal and Egypt to find this artifact. However, he will have to fight his arch enemy, Renee Belloq, and a hoard of Nazis in order to obtain it.
Bring a blanket to throw on the floor, your fedora and some popcorn. Afterwards, take your picnic lunch out in the park and enjoy the sunshine before it gets hot! |
| Date: 3/1/2012 |
| Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Duration: 1.5 hours |
| Speaker: Ranger Mark |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: Park entry $6.00 per vehicle |
| |
| More Info: http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/estrella |
| Contact: Ranger Mark 623 932-3811 |
| Location: Estrella Mountain Regional Park Nature Center |
| |
Address:
14805 W. Vineyard Ave
Goodyear, AZ 85338 |
 |
|
| "Just for Kids" - Story Time in the Desert - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| Kids (including parents and grandparents) will learn about our desert through a fun story, game, and short nature walk. Feel free to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy after the program. Please bring water, hats, and closed-toe shoes. Location: Nature Center. |
| Date: 3/1/2012 |
| Time: 11:00 AM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
| |
| |
|
| Boyce Thompson: Oasis in the Desert - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| Even though it has been there since the 1920's, Boyce Thompson Arboretum is an Arizona venue that many long-time Valley residents have never visited. Many drive right by on their way to somewhere else, saying to themselves "Hmmm, someday I have to stop in there and see what that place is all about." Join Cathy Babcock, the Director of Horticulture at the Arboretum, as she shares about this hidden but spectacular treasure. |
| Date: 3/1/2012 |
| Time: 12:00 PM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
| |
| |
|
| Little Critters Storytime w/ Ranger Amy -McDowell Park Nature Center |
| McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
| Little Critters Storytime with Ranger Amy - (Geared toward preschool and older children) Join us every Thursday for a themed program set around a children's book read aloud by Ranger Amy. Activities vary and may include live animals, songs, crafts, and/or puppet plays. This program takes place in our air-conditioned Visitor Center. |
| Date: 3/1/2012 |
| Time: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Duration: 1 hour |
| Speaker: Ranger Amy Ford |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6 per vehicle park entry fee |
| |
| Contact: amyford@mail.maricopa.gov 480-471-0173x201 |
| Location: McDowell Mountain Regional Park Nature Center |
| |
Address:
16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr.
Scottsdale, AZ 85255 |
 |
|
| Ride with the Ranger- Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Join the Ranger and Cave Creek Trailrides as we introduce you to the amazing wonders of Cave Creek Park and the Sonoran Desert on horseback! This will be a 1 hour ride where we will introduce you to the nature and landscape as you have never seen it before. Registration is required for this fee based program. ***Please call Cave Creek Trailrides at 623-742-6700 to sign up**** |
| Date: 3/1/2012 |
| Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Duration: 1 hour |
| Speaker: Cave Creek Trailrides and Ranger Sarah |
| Registration Required: Yes |
| Fee: Trail Ride Standard Fee and $6.00 per vehicle park entry |
| |
| More Info: http://www.cavecreektrailrides.com/ |
| Contact: Cave Creek Trailrides 623-742-6700 |
| Location: Cave Creek Trailrides |
| |
Address:
37019 N. Lava Lane
Cave Creek, AZ 85331 |
|