| Desert Washes Walk - Spur Cross |
| Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area |
| April 21 Saturday 8:00 am Desert Washes Walk
(moderate) Come discover the fascinating world of a desert wash. This hike will feature the exploration of Cottonwood Wash which drains into Cave Creek. Along the way we will discuss desert washes and mesas and how the ecosystems differ. Long pants and sturdy shoes are recommended. |
| Date: 4/21/2012 |
| Time: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Duration: 2 hours |
| Speaker: Kevin Smith, park ranger |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $3 per person |
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| Contact: Kevin Smith, Park Ranger at 480-488-6623 or e-mail kevinsmith@mail.maricopa.gov |
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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: 4/21/2012 |
| Time: 8:30 AM - 9:45 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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| A Walk Through History – Centennial Trail Celebrates Earth Day - Estrella |
| Estrella Mountain Park |
| The Three Rivers Historical Society, Estrella Mountain Regional Park and the West Valley Arts Council invite you and your family to take a walk through history along the Centennial Trail, celebrating Earth Day. Join us April 21st from 9-11 to be the first to walk the entirety of this historic timeline trail in the making. You will have the opportunity to hear from 11 different guest speakers at the 11 time period nodes along the .5 mile trail as well as get a first glimpse of the art being produced by the West Valley Arts Council's Gallery 37 High School Art Apprenticeship program. From Science to Technology, to Engineering, Art and Math; this engaging and academic trail, designed to cover all areas of S.T.E.A.M. won’t disappoint. We hope to see you there! |
| Date: 4/21/2012 |
| Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Duration: 2hrs. |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per vehicle Park Entrance Fee |
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| Contact: Ranger Mark 623-932-3811 |
| Location: Estrella Mountain Regional Park |
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Address: 14805 W. Vineyard Ave. Goodyear, AZ 85338 |
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| Find the Ranger - Wind Cave Trail - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| This open-house style program features our ranger hiking along the Wind Cave Trail and stopping to talk to park visitors. Our ranger will show off his “Backpack of Knowledge” and be available to answer questions about the park, discuss park history, identify desert plants, or even explain which animals call Usery Park "home". Carry ample water. |
| Date: 4/21/2012 |
| Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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| Phoenix Herpitological Society Venomous Creatures at White Tank Library |
| White Tank Mountains Regional Park |
| This special Venomous creatures presentation by the Phoenix Herpetological Society will be held in the White Tank Library. It will be a special talk about cold blooded creatures that inhabit our desert. It is not a hiking event but you are welcome to hike any one of the Park’s many trails after the talk. On display will be some venomous creatures and a few other creepy crawlies of the desert. The presentation will focus on some of the more interesting behaviors of these creatures. This will be held in the White Tank Regional Library presentation room and will be delivered by specialists from the Phoenix Herpetological Society. |
| Date: 4/21/2012 |
| Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Duration: 2 hours |
| Speaker: Phoenix Herpitologic Society Staff |
| Registration Required: No |
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| Location: White Tank Library |
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| Reptile Feeding - Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Have you ever seen a reptile eat? Join the staff after your morning hike and see how our cold-blooded residents eat their meals for yourself! Frozen rodent entrees will be served to the critters. Come learn about the important roles these creatures play in our dynamic food web. Feeding takes place at the Nature Center. |
| Date: 4/21/2012 |
| Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Duration: 1 hour |
| 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 Nature Center |
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Address: 37019 N. Lava Lane Cave Creek, AZ 85331 |
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| Walk Among the Wildflowers - Lake Pleasant |
| Lake Pleasant Regional Park |
| Join Frank and walk among the spring wildflowers. We don't know what we will find, but we are going to go looking for the color of the desert. This short hike starts and ends on the hour between 10AM and 1PM. This hike meets at the South Pipeline Canyon Trailhead at 10AM, 11AM, 12PM and 1PM. This canyon hike is very scenic and usually displays a multitude of spring colors. |
| Date: 4/21/2012 |
| Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Duration: Each hike is 1 hour in length |
| Speaker: Frank Meyerholtz |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6 per vehicle park entry fee |
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| Contact: Terry Gerber, Interpretive Ranger 602-372-7460 ext. 202 |
| Location: Lake Pleasant Regional Park at S. Pipeline Canyon Trailhead |
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Address: Take Hwy 74 to Castle Hot Springs Rd., turn right into park, follow "Hike" signs to program Peoria, AZ |
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| Who's in that Hole? - McDowell Park |
| McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
| What’s In That Hole?
Ever wonder what makes all those holes in the ground? Who’s living in there? Join Ranger Amy for a look into the subterranean world of the desert. You may be surprised at who’s lurking underground. Meet at the North Trail. |
| Date: 4/21/2012 |
| Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 AM 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 |
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Address: 16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 |
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| All About Roadrunners - "Brown-Bag It" with Ranger B - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| What makes roadrunners such unique birds? How do they survive and thrive in the desert? Do they really eat snakes? If you would like to know the answers to these questions, or any questions you may have about roadrunners, then this one-hour presentation is for you! Bring your sandwich to the “Brown-Bag It” series inside our Nature Center as Ranger B shares some amazing facts about these rapid runners. Location: Nature Center. |
| Date: 4/21/2012 |
| Time: 12:00 PM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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| Animal BINGO! - McDowell Park |
| McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
| Bring the kids out to the park for a game of BINGO, Desert-style, where finding animal clues like holes in saguaros & bird nests on the trail can win you prizes! Meet at the Visitor Center for this family-friendly program with the Ranger along the Tortoise Trail. |
| Date: 4/21/2012 |
| Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Duration: 1 hour |
| Speaker: Ranger Amy |
| 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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| Horse Talk with the Doc- San Tan |
| San Tan Mountain Regional Park |
| San Tan Mountain Regional place is a great place to ride your horse as well as learn how to keep them healthy for rides to come. Join us as Dr. Christensen from East Valley Equine shares his thoughts on staying safe and keeping a happy horse in the desert. During this exciting program Dr. Christensen will be discussing colic and poisonous plants in the comfort of the air-conditioned Nature Center. |
| Date: 4/21/2012 |
| Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Duration: 1 hour |
| Speaker: DVM. James Christensen of East Valley Equine |
| 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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| There's Hope - Estrella |
| Estrella Mountain Park |
| Come meet Sarah Moesbergen, Phoenix Dog Whisperer, of America’s Canine Academy! Bring your dog for a free evaluation and learn what you can do to improve life with your pet. All dogs must be on a leash! Meet at the Softball Complex, Field #2. Be sure to bring plenty of water for you and your pets! Hats are a good idea, as well. ? |
| Date: 4/21/2012 |
| Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Duration: 1.5hrs. |
| Speaker: Sarah Moesbergen |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 Park Entry Fee per vehicle |
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| Contact: Ranger Mark 623-932-3811 |
| Location: Estrella Mountain Regional Park |
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Address: 14805 W. Vineyard Ave. Goodyear, AZ 85338 |
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| Venomous Creatures - Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Join us for a presentation about the venomous creatures you may find around the Valley! Enjoy the beauty of these wonderful and misunderstood animals while learning about fascinating facts and the important roles each creature plays in the desert ecosystem. As Marie Curie, French Physicist and two-time Nobel Prize recipient said “Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.” Meet at Nature Center. |
| Date: 4/21/2012 |
| Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Duration: 1 hour |
| 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 Nature Center |
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Address: 37019 N. Lava Lane Cave Creek, AZ 85331 |
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| Man of the Mountain Hike - San Tan |
| San Tan Mountain Regional Park |
| Imagine living underneath the shelter of a Palo Verde tree as you mine for gold in the heat of the desert. While this may not be the typical lifestyle many of us would choose, learn about the enchanting true story of a man that did just that and the remarkable impact he had on those he came in contact with. Join our Interpretive Ranger for this awe-inspiring 2-mile voyage along the Goldmine Trail to uncover the mysterious life of the Man of the Mountain and to find out who is buried in the graves at San Tan Mountain Regional Park. |
| Date: 4/21/2012 |
| Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Duration: 1 hour |
| Speaker: Ranger Adam |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6 vehicle park entry fee |
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| More Info: http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/santan/ |
| Contact: (480) 655-5554 |
| Location: San Tan Mountain Regional Park - Visitor Center |
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Address: 6533 W. Phillips Rd. Queen Creek, AZ 85142 |
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| Stargazing with Telescopes at Lake Pleasant |
| Lake Pleasant Regional Park |
| Come enjoy a fun presentation about the stars, looking out across the lake with telescopes, sitting in our amphitheater. Learn about the night sky by the fun people from "Stargazing For Everyone." This program will have a slide presentation and then an interactive session with several large telescopes. Come spend the evening learning more about those little twinkles in the sky. Once in the park just follow the signs to the visitor center. |
| Date: 4/21/2012 |
| Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Duration: 2 Hours |
| Speaker: Tony La Conte |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per vehicle park entry fee |
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| More Info: http://www.stargazingforeveryone.com |
| Contact: Terry Gerber, Interpretive Ranger 602-372-7460 x 202 |
| Location: Lake Pleasant Regional Park Visitor Center - 623-780-9857 |
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Address: Take Hwy 74 to Castle Hot Springs Rd., turn right into park, follow signs to visitor center Peoria, AZ |
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| Meteor Shower Hike - San Tan |
| San Tan Mountain Regional Park |
| Join us for a special hike during the Lyrid meteor shower of 2012. Enjoy the remarkable beauty of the desert at night as shooting stars jump out of the sky on an almost moonless night. Be ready for a 2.2 mile hike on the Stargazer Trail that is out of this world. |
| Date: 4/21/2012 |
| Time: 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM Duration: 1.5 hours |
| Speaker: Ranger Adam |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6 vehicle park entry fee |
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| More Info: http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/santan/ |
| Contact: (480) 655-5554 |
| Location: San Tan Mountain Regional Park - Visitor Center |
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Address: 6533 W. Phillips Rd. Queen Creek, AZ 85142 |
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