| Competitive Track Closed - Estrella |
| Estrella Mountain Park |
| Trails at the Estrella Mountain Regional Park Competitive Track will be closed for biking and hiking for clean-up following running of the Freshfit 500 and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Phoenix International Raceway. Trails will reopen on March 10, 2012. |
| Date: 3/8/2012 |
| Time: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Duration: all day |
| Registration Required: No |
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| Contact: 623 932-3811 |
| Location: Competitive Track - Estrella Mountain Regional Park |
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Address:
Avenida Estrella
Avondale, AZ |
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| Fitness Focused - Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Join us for every Thursday in March as we get out on the trail to get our feet moving and heart pumping. We will bring you throughout a different part of the park each week and total 2.5 to 3.5 miles each week. It is getting warm out there so bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. Meet at the Overton Trailhead. |
| Date: 3/8/2012 |
| Time: 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM Duration: 1.5 hours |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per vehicle park entry fee |
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| Contact: Ranger Sarah sarahsteele@mail.maricopa.gov |
| Location: Meet at the Overton Trailhead |
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Address:
37019 N. Lava Lane
Cave Creek, AZ 85331 |
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| The Desert Grocery Store - North Trail - McDowell Park |
| McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
| The Sonoran Desert is a virtual grocery store… if you know where to look. See (and taste)some of what people used to eat and to treat illness with before grocery stores came to Phoenix, and find out which ones are still consumed today.
The Sonoran Desert is a virtual grocery store… if you know where to look. See what people used to eat and to treat illness with before grocery stores came to Phoenix, and find out which ones are still consumed today. This program is along our .5 mile accessible trail. Meet at the Nursery Tank Trailhead. |
| Date: 3/8/2012 |
| Time: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM |
| Speaker: Ranger Amy Ford |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6 per vehicle park entry fee |
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| Contact: amyford@mail.maricopa.gov 480-471-0173x201 |
| Location: McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
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Address:
16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr.
Scottsdale, AZ 85255 |
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| 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: 3/8/2012 |
| Time: 9:00 AM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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| 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: 3/8/2012 |
| Time: 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: Fee-based program |
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| Location: Nature Center |
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Address:
3939 N. Usery Pass Rd.
Mesa, AZ 85207 |
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| “Just for Kids” – Little Desert Explorers - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| This 1-mile hike is designed for parents and grandparents with small children, ages 3 – 6 years. Using their senses, kids will discover lots of cool things about the plants and animals that call our desert “home.” 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 and hats. Location: Area 6. |
| Date: 3/8/2012 |
| Time: 10:00 AM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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| Special - Blackrock Loop archeology Hike at White Tank Park |
| White Tank Mountains Regional Park |
| On this 1.5 mile hike, on an easy trail (with some climbing) you will get to view evidence left by people who lived in our Valley long before any European visited our shores. Rangers will take you to areas not usually accessible to the public. There is some rock climbing involved so wear good shoes. No dogs please. Meet at Area 4 at 10:00 am. |
| Date: 3/8/2012 |
| Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Duration: 2 hours |
| Speaker: Park Ranger |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per vehicle - Park entry fee |
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Address:
Area 4 |
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| Thursday Theater - Estrella |
| Estrella Mountain Park |
| Would you be brave enough to enter the “Temple of Doom”? This 1984 sequel to “Raiders of the Lost Ark” finds Indiana Jones arriving in India, and is asked by desperate villagers to find a mystical stone. He agrees, and stumbles upon a secret cult plotting a terrible plan in the catacombs of an ancient palace. (rated PG)
Bring your blanket & popcorn to the Nature Center and a picnic lunch to enjoy afterwards! After the movie, the kids can jump into our “dig site” to search for archaeological artifacts. You never know who will be the next “Arizona Bones”?
Closed toe shoes are recommended, as well as hats, sunscreen and water. Tools provided. |
| Date: 3/8/2012 |
| Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Duration: 1.5 hours |
| Speaker: Ranger Mark |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: Park entry $6.00 per vehicle |
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| More Info: http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/estrella |
| Contact: Ranger Mark 623 932-3811 |
| Location: Estrella Mountain Regional Park Nature Center |
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Address:
14805 W. Vineyard Ave
Goodyear, AZ 85338 |
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| 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: 3/8/2012 |
| Time: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Duration: 1 hour |
| Speaker: Ranger Amy Ford |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6 per vehicle park entry fee |
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| Contact: amyford@mail.maricopa.gov 480-471-0173x201 |
| Location: McDowell Mountain Regional Park Nature Center |
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Address:
16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr.
Scottsdale, AZ 85255 |
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| 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: 3/8/2012 |
| 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 |
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| More Info: http://www.cavecreektrailrides.com/ |
| Contact: Cave Creek Trailrides 623-742-6700 |
| Location: Cave Creek Trailrides |
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Address:
37019 N. Lava Lane
Cave Creek, AZ 85331 |
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| Family-Friendly March Full Moon Hike - McDowell |
| McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
| This Full-Moon Hike is geared specifically toward families. There is no better way to experience the desert than on a night hike. Join Ranger Amy to experience the desert come alive by the light of the moon at McDowell Mountain Regional Park. Flashlights are not necessary, but permitted. Bring plenty of water and sturdy shoes. Hiking time is 2 hours, and 3 miles. No pets please. Hikes begin at the Trailhead Staging area. Moonlit hike programs are free with $6/vehicle entry to the Park. |
| Date: 3/8/2012 |
| Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6 per vehicle park entry fee |
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| Contact: amyford@mail.maricopa.gov 480-471-0173x201 |
| Location: McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
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Address:
16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr.
Scottsdale, AZ 85255 |
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| Full Moon Hike - San Tan |
| San Tan Mountain Regional Park |
| As the sun sets behind the mountains and the trails close for the day, we will set out into the desert for an afterhours adventure. Slowly your eyes will adjust to the darkness and soon the light from the full moon will illuminate a wilderness seldom seen. Flashlights are recommended on this 2.2-mile hike on the Stargazer Trail. |
| Date: 3/8/2012 |
| Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Duration: 1.5 hours |
| Speaker: Ranger Adam |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6 vehicle park entry fee |
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| More Info: http://maricopa.gov/parks/santan |
| Contact: (480) 655-5554 ext.201 |
| Location: San Tan Mountain Regional Park |
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Address:
6533 W. Phillips Road
Queen Creek, AZ 85142 |
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| Hiker's Choice Full Moon Hike and Campfire - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| Here’s your chance to experience the desert under the glowing light of the full moon! We will offer both a self-guided and a guided hike – the choice is yours. Afterwards, enjoy the toasty flames of a campfire and a free marshmallow roast. Bring your flashlight, water, and closed-toe shoes for this 2-mile desert adventure. No pets, please. Location: Trail Staging Area. |
| Date: 3/8/2012 |
| Time: 7:30 PM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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