Official Web Site of the City of Phoenix

A collaborative effort between the cities of Scottsdale and Phoenix to commission a work of art which serves both as a boundary marker for the two cities as well as an entrance into Papago Park. The artists approach to the project centers around Papago Park’s identity as a major historic and ecological boundary within the valley. The design consists of seven, 16-foot high vertical markers sited around a 240-foot long wall with seven branches radiating from its center referencing a tree of life form. Made from fieldstone in a manner similar to the park=s historical W.P.A. ramadas, the markers serve as access for directing viewers to municipal, historical and natural sites in the valley and align with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. The central wall structure, which forms the stem of the plant, functions as a water-harvesting devise and aqueduct. Run-off from summer storms is captured and diverted through a channel in the wall onto each of the seven farming terraces, which are planted with native vegetation.

Underneath the desert landscaping lies the remains of cities past. In designing the Papago Park/ City Boundary project, artists Jody Pinto and Steve Martino were motivated by the history of the area as a means to connect the cities of Scottsdale and Phoenix. Drawing inspiration from the nearby Pueblo Grande structure, the pair created an intersection of nature and the human spirit that can be seen by motorists and explored by pedestrians.

The piece consists of seven vertical markers. Five of these markers indicate the major axis that is the summer solstice, the longest farming day of the year. The other axis aligns the Casa Grande ruins with Squaw Peak, each important to the valley in terms of their historical and natural elements. As a group, these markers take on the form of a tree of life composed of seven water harvesting terraces. An integral aspect of this project is its ability to incorporate indigenous plants, making this feature functional as well as conceptually challenging.

Each wall of the terrace is varied in height, causing a change in light and shadow throughout the day. The resulting effect causes visitors to perceive their experiences at the park in a unique manner, depending on the time of the day.

About the Design Team
Jody Pinto is a New York based artist with an interest in site-specific artwork. Her work is inspired by a fusion of science, aesthetics, and necessity. Pinto has completed a number of public art works nationwide, including Patrick Park Plaza in Phoenix.

Landscape architect, Steve Martino, has earned a national reputation for design excellence in landscape architecture. His pioneering work with native plant material and the development of a desert-derived aesthetic is widely recognized. Martino is based in Phoenix, Arizona. Martino also worked on the Sunnyslope Canal Demonstration Project, Patrick Park Plaza, and Arizona Falls in Phoenix.