The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department is seeking residents’ input on the future direction of the city’s parks and desert preserves. Those interested in weighing in can attend one of ten public meetings held throughout the city from late June through August. Those unable to attend a meeting can participate online; the department has posted background information and an online survey on the department Web site at phoenix.gov/parks in the Park Development Projects link.

The City has created this public involvement process in response to the overwhelming May 20 voter approval of the reauthorization of the Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative. For the past nine years the Initiative, using a one-tenth of one cent sales tax, has raised more than $200 million to fund the construction and improvement of parks throughout the city and the addition of thousands of acres of desert land to the city’s preserve system. In the May 20 vote, voters approved a 30-year extension of the program, which was set to expire next year.

The public involvement process will allow residents to set priorities for park and preserve development and improvement over the coming years. When the process is complete, Parks and Recreation Department staff will use the results to develop a proposal and recommendations for consideration by the Parks and Recreation Board and ultimately, the City Council, which will approve a final plan. Listed below is the full schedule of public meetings:

Thursday, June 26

6 to 8 p.m.
Pecos Community Center
17010 S. 48 St.

Tuesday, July 8

6 to 8 p.m.
Desert West Community Center
6501 W. Virginia Ave.

Thursday, July 10

6 to 8 p.m.
South Mountain Community Center
212 E. Alta Vista Rd.

Wednesday, July 16

6 to 8 p.m.
Deer Valley Community Center
2001 W. Wahalla Ln.

Tuesday, July 22

6 to 8 p.m.
Sunnyslope Youth Center
1702 W. Peoria Ave.

Tuesday, August 5

6 to 8 p.m.
Cesar Chavez Library
3635 W. Baseline Rd.

Wednesday, August 6

6 to 8 p.m.
Paradise Valley Community Center
17402 N. 40 St.

Tuesday, August 12

6 to 8 p.m.
Longview Neighborhood Recreation Center
4040 N. 14 St.

Wednesday, August 13

6 to 8 p.m.
Washington Activity Center
2240 W. Citrus Way

Wednesday, August 27

6 to 8 p.m.
Burton Barr Central Library
1221 N. Central Ave.

Those wanting general information on the public process can call 602-262-6862 for meeting locations and the locations for the online information and survey. General information also is available at phoenix.gov/parks in the Parks Development Projects link.