The Ben Avery Shooting Facility, Japanese Friendship Garden and Thomas J. Pappas School are the winners in the recent public voting of the Phoenix Points of Pride.

From more than 22,000 votes that were cast, these three sites stood out as enthusiastically and creatively promoting their locations to their supporters and friends in the Valley and around the world. These sites will be added to the 27 current sites rounding off the number of Points of Pride to 30.

The Ben Avery Shooting Facility is a professionally managed and operated safe, family-based and customer-friendly shooting sports recreational facility. The Japanese Friendship Garden features more than 1,500 tons of handpicked rocks, a 12-foot waterfall, Koi pond and flowing streams and the Thomas J. Pappas School, founded in 1989, provides homeless students with a comprehensive educational experience as well as striving to meet their social and physical needs.

"We were delighted with the outpouring of public response to this process," said Thom Smith, chairman of the Phoenix Points of Pride committee. "The result is the addition of three outstanding and very deserving sites to our Phoenix Points of Pride program."

The Phoenix Points of Pride, a 12-year-old program, is operated by the Phoenix Pride Commission. A Point of Pride is a landmark or attraction unique to, and located within, the city of Phoenix that evokes a sense of pride among area residents.

The public nominated more than 70 sites for Phoenix Points of Pride status in fall 2003. The list was narrowed to 10 finalists, which were voted on by the public in February and March.

Other Phoenix Points of Pride finalists were Arizona Falls, Arizona Science Center, Bank One Ballpark, Burton Barr Central Library, Eastlake Park, Murphy Bridle Path and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

The first 25 Phoenix Points of Pride locations were selected by more than 10,000 area residents in 1992. Cricket Pavilion and the Deer Valley Rock Art Center were added in 1996 and 2000, respectively.

Current Phoenix Points of Pride include: America West Arena; Arizona Biltmore Resort; Arizona Center; Camelback Mountain; Cricket Pavilion; Deer Valley Rock Art Center; Desert Botanical Garden; Encanto Park; Heard Museum; Herberger Theater Center; Historic Heritage Square; Mystery Castle; Orpheum Theatre; Papago Park/Hole-In-The-Rock; Patriots Square Park; Phoenix Art Museum; Phoenix Symphony Hall Plaza; Phoenix Zoo; Pueblo Grande Museum; South Mountain Park; Phoenix Mountains Recreation Area; Telephone Pioneers of America Park; Tovrea Castle; Wesley Bolin Plaza; and Wrigley Mansion.

The Phoenix Pride Commission was created in August 1991 to foster a sense of community pride among Valley residents. The commission has presented several unique, positive programs, including successful Sunday on Central events, Phoenix Kids Pride awards program and the Phoenix Points of Pride.

For additional information, visit phoenix.gov/ARTS/pridepts.html.