June 25, 2009

Phoenix Parks Department To Restrict Preserve Access July 4

Park rangers with the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department will restrict vehicle access starting at 3 p.m. on July 4 to developed trailhead parking lots and mountaintop lookouts in the city’s mountain and desert preserves.  The holiday restrictions supplement the smoking and fire bans already in place.

Rangers will close all mountaintop lookouts at 3 p.m. to vehicles at South Mountain Park and will close trailhead parking areas by 3 p.m. at the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, Phoenix Mountains Park and Recreation Area, Camelback Mountain, North Mountain Park, South Mountain Park and Papago Park west of Galvin Parkway.

Rangers also will monitor the picnic facilities at Papago Park and South Mountain Park and close the parking areas when they reach capacity. Visitors arriving at South Mountain Park after 3 p.m. will have to park in the Activity Complex Parking area. Visitors arriving at North Mountain Park after 3 p.m. will have to park in the Havasupai Parking area.

Following is a list of regulations that will apply on July 4 at the preserves and desert parks:

• No fireworks
• No open fires
• No charcoal fires, even in established picnic areas (gas grills are permitted)
• No alcoholic beverages
• No glass beverage containers
• No smoking outside an enclosed vehicle
  
  

The Parks and Recreation Department also wants to remind residents that the desert parks and preserves do not provide good visibility for fireworks displays and encourage residents to attend one of the city’s official Independence Day fireworks displays.

For more information on the July 4 restrictions, please call 602-495-5458. For information on official Independence Day celebrations, visit the Web at phoenix.gov/parks.

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