Maricopa County, Arizona All Parks & Recreation Events Feed Update

On 2/26/2012 9:00:00 AM: This open-house style program features our ranger hiking along the Wind Cave Trail and stopping to talk to park visitors. Our ranger will show off his “Backpack of Knowledge” and be available to answer questions about the park, discuss park history, identify desert plants, or even explain which animals call Usery Park "home". Carry ample water.

On 2/26/2012 9:00:00 AM: February 26 Sunday 9:00 am Ruins of Spur Cross (moderate) Join us for this 2.5 mile hike that will introduce you to the rich archaeological history of the area. See evidence of prehistoric Hohokam dwellings and learn about their culture as we trek on up to one of their mesa-top compounds.

On 2/26/2012 1:30:00 PM: Join us for this 1-hour introduction to some of the fascinating plants and animals of our Sonoran Desert. You will enjoy this informative quarter-mile stroll along our scenic Desert Hawk Trail! Please bring water. Location: Nature Center.

On 2/26/2012 1:30:00 PM: Wildflower Photography Basics for Newbies Get your lenses ready for a terrific wildflower season! It is a little early for most wildflower blooms, but we will seek out the earliest hints of color where we can, and learn the basics of composition and style. Get some practice in using that shiny new camera you got for Christmas to take spectacular pictures of the desert in bloom over the next month or two. Bring your camera and plenty of water. Meet at the North Trail Trailhead.
McDowell Mountain Regional Park
16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr.
Scottsdale 85255

On 2/27/2012 12:00:00 AM: Trails at the Estrella Mountain Regional Park Competitive Track will be closed for biking and hiking during preparation and running of the Freshfit 500 and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Phoenix International Raceway. Trails will reopen on March 10, 2012. Nascar events begin March 2 and conclude March 4
Competitive Track - Estrella Mountain Regional Park
Avenida Estrella
Avondale

On 2/26/2012 9:00:00 AM: Spring is upon us and so are the wildflowers! Come and see what’s blooming in Cave Creek. This 1.5 hour stroll along the 1.5 mile Slate/Jasper/Go John loop trail will showcase the wildflowers found in the park and explore the beauty of the area. Bring plenty of water and sturdy closed toed shoes. Meet at the Slate Trailhead.
Meet at the Slate Trailhead
37019 N. Lava Lane
85331

On 2/27/2012 9:00:00 AM: February 27 Monday 9:00 am Take Your Walk to the Desert (easy) An innovative, fun, easy 1.5 hr walking experience for health, camaraderie, and the desert’s serenity. This is designed for people who want to begin trekking in the desert at an easy pace. Bring sturdy shoes, plenty of water, and a hat. This activity will be led by park docents Coni Grossman and/or Tammy Teegardin.

On 2/27/2012 10:00:00 AM: Join geographer and author, Gwen O’Leary, on a Haiku hike where you will learn how to turn your love of nature into poetry. Haiku is a Japanese form of poetry consisting of three lines. Several times during the hike, participants will have an opportunity to sit, write, and listen to tips and ideas on how to compose a poem from the knowledge they gain as they observe nature. Participants should bring a notepad, pen or pencil, and their favorite nature reference book (optional). The hike will be on the Bajada Trail, which is a flat trial with no elevation gain; study shoes are recommended. Bring water, and a snack or lunch to have after the hike. No dogs or children please.

On 2/27/2012 6:00:00 PM: Connect with nature in Usery Park’s Nature Center by exploring your breath before a desert hike. Improve your balance for a bike ride through easy-to-learn, fundamental yoga postures. This all-levels class for both beginners and experienced yogis sets the tone for your day of hiking, riding or…yes, even your workday! Please join Inner Vision Yoga and their certified instructors for inspiring yoga every Monday night at 6pm, Tuesday and Thursday at 9am, and Saturday at 8:30am. Sign up for these fee-based classes at www.innervisionyoga.com or drop into the park. For more information see websites, or call 480-632-7899 or 480-984-0032. Location: Nature Center
Nature Center
3939 N. Usery Pass Rd.
Mesa 85207

On 2/28/2012 12:00:00 AM: Trails at the Estrella Mountain Regional Park Competitive Track will be closed for biking and hiking during preparation and running of the Freshfit 500 and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Phoenix International Raceway. Trails will reopen on March 10, 2012. Nascar events begin March 2 and conclude March 4
Competitive Track - Estrella Mountain Regional Park
Avenida Estrella
Avondale

On 2/28/2012 9:00:00 AM: Connect with nature in Usery Park’s Nature Center by exploring your breath before a desert hike. Improve your balance for a bike ride through easy-to-learn, fundamental yoga postures. This all-levels class for both beginners and experienced yogis sets the tone for your day of hiking, riding or…yes, even your workday! Please join Inner Vision Yoga and their certified instructors for inspiring yoga every Monday night at 6pm, Tuesday and Thursday at 9am, and Saturday at 8:30am. Sign up for these fee-based classes at www.innervisionyoga.com or drop into the park. For more information see websites, or call 480-632-7899 or 480-984-0032. Location: Nature Center
Nature Center
3939 N. Usery Pass Rd.
Mesa 85207

On 2/29/2012 9:00:00 AM: February 29 Wednesday 9:00 am Exploring the Dragonfly Trail (moderate) Come along with park docent Tammy Teegardin on this exploration of the newest trail in the Spur Cross trail system, the Dragonfly Trail. On this moderate 3.5 mile hike we will visit a prehistoric rock art site and also stroll along a beautiful section of riparian habitat on Cave Creek.

On 2/29/2012 10:00:00 AM: Storytime is geared towards our youngest nature enthusiasts (ages 2 – 6)! Join us for a themed program set around a children's book. Activities will follow and may include live animals, songs, crafts, a short hike and/or games. Meet at the Nature Center.
Meet at the Nature Center
37019 N. Lava Lane
Cave Creek 85331

On 2/29/2012 12:00:00 PM: What are the special challenges that hikers face? What are the things you need to know to make your hikes safe? If you would like to know the answers to these questions, or any questions you may have about hiking safety, then this one-hour presentation is for you! Bring your sandwich to the “Brown-Bag It” series inside our Nature Center as Ranger B shares important tips to help you stay safe on your hikes. Location: Nature Center.

On 2/29/2012 12:30:00 PM: The desert is full of plants that have healing properties. Come find out which are considered to have medicinal value. You may be surprised to find that what you thought was a weed in your own backyard, is used even today in 'modern‘ pharmaceuticals! Meet at the North Trail Trailhead for this 1 ½-2 mile walking program.
McDowell Mountain Regional Park
16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr.
Scottsdale 85255

On 2/29/2012 10:00:00 AM: What makes our Sonoran Desert such a special place? What are the close relationships that are shared between our unique plants and animals and the land on which they live? Increase your knowledge of our desert by joining Ranger B on this exciting one-mile walk along a scenic section of the Pass Mountain Trail. Please bring water and closed-toe shoes. Location: Trail Staging Area.

On 3/1/2012 12:00:00 AM: Trails at the Estrella Mountain Regional Park Competitive Track will be closed for biking and hiking during preparation and running of the Freshfit 500 and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Phoenix International Raceway. Trails will reopen on March 10, 2012. Nascar events begin March 2 and conclude March 4
Competitive Track - Estrella Mountain Regional Park
Avenida Estrella
Avondale

On 3/1/2012 8:00:00 AM: Week 8 - Go John Trail - 6 miles/moderate to difficult at points. Meet at the Go John Trailhead.
Meet at the Go John Trailhead
37019 N. Lava Lane
Cave Creek 85331

On 3/1/2012 9:00:00 AM: How do you tell one brown bird from the next, and what are the first three items to look for as the little rascal flits off? Are you already a novice but interested in keeping a yearly, state or country bird list? Bird expert, Sandy Hornbaker, will talk about bird habitat, behavior, range, etc. as we go in search of the native birds in this area. Please bring binoculars and water. Location: Trail Staging Area.

On 3/1/2012 9:00:00 AM: Connect with nature in Usery Park’s Nature Center by exploring your breath before a desert hike. Improve your balance for a bike ride through easy-to-learn, fundamental yoga postures. This all-levels class for both beginners and experienced yogis sets the tone for your day of hiking, riding or…yes, even your workday! Please join Inner Vision Yoga and their certified instructors for inspiring yoga every Monday night at 6pm, Tuesday and Thursday at 9am, and Saturday at 8:30am. Sign up for these fee-based classes at www.innervisionyoga.com or drop into the park. For more information see websites, or call 480-632-7899 or 480-984-0032. Location: Nature Center
Nature Center
3939 N. Usery Pass Rd.
Mesa 85207

On 3/1/2012 10:00:00 AM: How have people survived off the land for thousands of years? Which desert plants are edible and when are they edible? If you would like to know the answers to these questions, or any questions you may have about desert edibles, then this walk is for you! Join Ranger B on this quarter-mile stroll along the Desert Hawk Trail as he shares some useful facts about our edible desert plants. Please bring water. Location: Nature Center.