Phoenix Area Guide
Phoenix is the capital of Arizona. As the most populous city and the county seat of Maricopa County, Phoenix is the largest city in the American Southwest and the Mountain Time Zone. Phoenix is the primary government, cultural, economic and transportation center of the region. Phoenix is located along the banks of the now normally dry Salt River, and was incorporated as a city on February 25, 1881. Residents of Phoenix are known as Phoenicians.
Visitors, residents and businesses alike will find that Phoenix offers just about everything in the way of sports, recreation, arts, culture, dining, lodging and financial opportunities. Because of the city’s beautiful weather, activities can be enjoyed year-round. Find out for yourself why Phoenix is such a dynamic city.
Phoenix History
The first people known to occupy the area that became Phoenix were the Hohokam people. They created approximately 135 miles of irrigation canals. The paths of these early canals would late become used for the modern Arizona Canal, Central Arizona Project Canal and the Hayden-Rhodes Aqueduct.
The history of Phoenix as a city began with Jack Swilling, an American Civil War veteran who came west to seek wealth in the 1850s and worked primarily in Wickenburg. In 1867, he stopped to rest at the foot of the White Tank Mountains while on an outing. Swilling observed the abandoned river valley and considered its potential for farming, much like that already cultivation by the military further east near Fort McDowell. The terrain and climate were optimal; only a regular source of water was necessary. The existence of the old Hohokam ruins, showing clear paths for canals, made Swilling imagine new possibilities.
By 1881, Phoenix had outgrown its original town site-commissioner form of government. The 11th Territorial Legislature passed “The Phoenix Charter Bill”, incorporating Phoenix and providing for a mayor-council government. Phoenix was incorporated with a population of approximately 2,500, and on May 3, 1881, Phoenix held its first city election.
On February 14, 1912, under President William Howard Taft, Phoenix became the capital of the newly formed state of Arizona. Phoenix was considered preferable as both territorial and state capital due to its more central location as compared to Tucson or Prescott. It was smaller than Tucson but outgrew that city within the next few decades to become the state’s largest.
Population growth in Phoenix accelerated during the late 20th century and has continued strongly into the 21st century.
Phoenix Parks and Recreation
The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department operates more than 200 Parks throughout the city, including six desert-mountain Parks. Community and Regional Parks are open to the public from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Smaller Neighborhood and Mini Parks are open 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Hours can vary.
Historic Heritage Square is remnant of Phoenix’s Victorian past. The Rosson House is the cornerstone of a city block dating from the late 1800s. Museums, shops and restaurants now inhabit the block, which encompasses the only remaining group of residential structures from the original town site of Phoenix. Historic Heritage Square is a part of Heritage and Science Park that includes the Arizona Science Center, Phoenix Museum of History, restaurants and a parking garage. The park is operated by the city of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department in conjunction with the Rosson House-Heritage Square Foundation.
Adobe Mountain Park
Adobe Mountain Park is a 5 acre park that includes a children’s playground, two ramadas, area lighting, sidewalks, a ball field, open space area and a drinking fountain.
Encanto Park
Encanto Park is located in central Phoenix and has two uncovered Island Picnic areas available for reservations Monday through Sunday during park hours. Each area has 6 picnic tables and 1 grill. Each area’s capacity is 50 people. Groups with more than 50 people can reserve the entire space.
Paradise Valley Skate Park
Phoenix’s P.V. Skate Park features kinked snakebowls, a kidney bowl, spine bowls, a banked alley, street plaza, flatbars, grinding ledges and blocks, pump bumps, sloped ramps, radial banks and an elongated funbox.
Arizona Horse Lovers Park
Arizona Horse Lovers Park consists of four equestrian arenas. The main arena is a 360′ x 180′, lighted arena that features an announcer’s stand, bleacher seating, and public address system. The second arena, Horse Lovers Arena, is a lighted 270′ x 140′ pipe rail arena with announcer’s stand, bleacher seating, and public address system. The third arena, Schuff Arena, is a 250′ x 104′ pipe rail arena that also offers lights, announcer’s stand, bleacher seats, and public address system. The Park also offers a lighted practice paddock, water troughs, wash racks, tie stations, cattle pens and picnic tables.
For more information on Phoenix AZ visit the official website by clicking here
For the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce website click here
For the Phoeniz Convention & Visitors Bureau website click here
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