From the President
PetSmart Dog Park Delayed
to Incorporate Larger Park with Sports Fields
Our newly created Desert Ridge Strategic Community Plan (SCP) Planning Sub-Committee surveyed our residents and identified several amenities considered to be priorities for our community. Our members clearly expressed a desire for parks, sports fields, and a dog park. Working together with the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, city staff and Phoenix City Council, the Desert Ridge Community Association (DRCA) received commitments and funding for the dog park and conceptual plans were created for additional parks and sports fields in the future. Construction for phase one, which included the dog park alone, was set to begin in January with a completion date this summer.
Additional discussions between the DRCA and the City of Phoenix in the past few months have led to commitments to accelerate the timeframe for the development of additional park space surrounding the dog park, including parking lots, restrooms and the first sports fields for public use in Desert Ridge. The bottom line: More recreational facilities coming to the Desert Ridge area in the near future.
The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department is working with a design team to create construction documents for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Reach 11 Park improvements. Only Phase 1 is funded this fiscal year. Construction documents should be completed by May. Construction will begin with an effort to be complete and ready for opening by the end of October 2017. Phase 1 is expected to consist of the dog park, nearby parking lot, energy efficient security lighting, and a restroom facility, if budget permits. Please note that all dates are best estimates and are not exact. The Parks Department staff will continue to provide quarterly updates ensuring the most accurate information at any given time.
Phase 2 construction is funded for Fiscal Year 2017/2018 and will consist of sports fields, a nearby parking lot and restroom facilities. Additional elements have been designed as part of the master plan, but are not currently funded. We’re truly excited with the additional commitments we’ve received from the City of Phoenix and we will keep you updated on the progress.
Thanks again for your support and, as always, I look forward to seeing you in the neighborhood.
Doug Dickson
President
Desert Ridge Community Association
