Maricopa County, Arizona All Parks & Recreation Events Feed Update

On 1/4/2014 2:00:00 PM: Join us for a presentation about the venomous creatures you may find around the Valley! Enjoy the beauty of these wonderful and misunderstood animals while learning about fascinating facts and the important roles each creature plays in the desert ecosystem. As Marie Curie, French Physicist and two-time Nobel Prize recipient said “Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.” Meet inside the Nature Center.
San Tan Mountain Regional Park Nature Center
6533 West Phillips Road
Queen Creek 85242

On 1/4/2014 12:00:00 PM: Have you ever seen a reptile eat? Join the staff after your morning hike and see how our cold-blooded residents eat their meals for yourself! Frozen rodent entrees will be served to the critters. Come learn about the important roles these creatures play in our dynamic food web. Feeding takes place inside the Nature Center.
San Tan Mountain Regional Park - Visitor Center
6533 W Phillips Road
Queen Creek 85242

On 1/5/2014 9:00:00 AM: Skip the sleeping in today, and be rewarded with some of our colorful desert species who are out and about, too. Grab your binocs and come on out. No previous birding experience is required, only an interest in birds! This easy walk is along our less-than-½ mile accessible trail. Meet at Nursery Tank Trailhead.
McDowell Mountain Regional Park
16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr.
Scottsdale 85255

On 1/4/2014 3:00:00 PM: January 4 Saturday 3:00 pm Geocaching 101 (easy) Geocaching is a family-friendly activity in which participants use a GPS device to locate hidden containers, called "geocaches." No fee is required to play. All you need is home internet access and a GPS(hand held, phone app, even a car GPS). Docent Tom McGuire and Ranger Kevin Smith will show the basics. After the demonstration, we will direct you to a few geocaches that are hidden in and near the Conservation Area. If you have one (or more) of these GPS devices, bring it/them. Experienced "cachers" are also invited. We'll help you start with a few sample caches.

On 1/5/2014 9:00:00 AM: January 5 Sunday 9:00 am Rocks and Streams Walk (moderate) Learn about the geology and streams of the Spur Cross region on a 2-hour walk with nationally-known earth science author, Thomas McGuire. Visit an abandoned gold mine, Nutcracker Rock and a Hohokam rock art site along Cottonwood Wash. Bring water and your natural curiosity. Meet in the Spur Cross parking area.

On 1/5/2014 9:00:00 AM: This hike is for our loyal “facebook” followers. You are welcome to join us, of course. All we ask is that you “Like” and “Share” the park’s “facebook” page. Easy, right? Check the page for the “secret password” and meet at the Nature Center. Bring water and your camera so you can post pics of the adventure to our page. Meet at the Nature Center. Don’t forget your camera! You bring water & sturdy shoes. Contact Ranger Mark for more information at: markpaulat@mail.maricopa.gov. Watch the park’s website for more information, updates or changes, prior to the event..
Nature Center
37900 N. Cave Creek Parkway - 32nd St. / North from Carefree Highway
Cave Creek 85331

On 1/4/2014 2:00:00 PM: “STOP”. “CAUTION”. “DEER CROSSING”. Are these the signs we’re talking about? Of course not. That would be too easy! Besides, critters can’t read! Whether they mean to, or not, animals leave behind signs that we can observe. Meet in the Nature Center to discuss how to observe these signs and we’ll follow that with a short trek into the field where we will apply what we have learned. Bring water and your camera! Contact Ranger Mark for more information at: markpaulat@mail.maricopa.gov Watch the park’s website for more information, updates or changes, prior to the event.
Meet at the Nature Center
37900 N. Cave Creek Parkway - 32nd St. / North from Carefree Highway
Cave Creek 85331

On 1/4/2014 12:00:00 PM: Have you ever seen a scorpion eat? Do snakes really “unhinge” their jaws? We will answer these questions and more as we feed our collection of cool critters in the Nature Center. Contact Ranger Mark for more information at: markpaulat@mail.maricopa.gov Watch the park’s website for more information, updates or changes, prior to the event.
Meet at the Nature Center
37900 N. Cave Creek Parkway - 32nd St. / North from Carefree Highway
Cave Creek 85331

On 1/4/2014 10:00:00 AM: In this episode, special guest, Bryan Hughes is presenting “Rattlesnakes: The Myths, the Fears, the Truth, in American Culture.” Meet in the Nature Center for this compelling presentation! Contact Ranger Mark for more information at: markpaulat@mail.maricopa.gov Watch the park’s website for more information, updates or changes, prior to the event.
Nature Center
37900 N. Cave Creek Parkway - 32nd St. / North from Carefree Highway
Cave Creek 85331

On 1/4/2014 10:00:00 AM: Ever heard a bird fly by and thought..."oh, if I -only- knew bird songs"? Well, now is your chance. Learn bird calls and laugh at...I mean, along with, Ranger Amy, lifelong birdwatcher and self-proclaimed bird nerd and bird call imitator. We'll focus only on birds you're likely to see in your desert backyard. In addition to the presentation, we'll discuss free and/or inexpensive multi-media tools you can use to help you identify 'mystery birds' in the field. Meet at the Visitor Center. This non-hiking program takes place in our Nature Center.
Visitor Center -- McDowell Mountain Regional Park
16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr.
Scottsdale 85255

On 1/4/2014 9:00:00 AM: Are you doing the 100 miles in 100 days challenge? Need more miles to reach your goal? This hike will leave from the Coldwater Trailhead for a 6.0 mile hike into the scenic Estrella Mountains. Your trusted hiking guide, Sandy, will lead you on this trek. Please have appropriate hiking attire, water and snacks! Meet at the Coldwater Trailhead.

On 1/4/2014 1:00:00 PM: THIS CLASS IS FULL, PLEASE CHECK FUTURE DATES. Sign Up Today - Limited Spots! Learn to shoot a recurve, compound, and cross bow. This 1.5 hour class is the first step in learning archery. Wear comfortable clothes, closed toe shoes and bring some cold water. All equipment is provided. Call 602-372-7460 x 202 , and leave name, phone number, and how many people wish to attend. Ranger will call to let you know if there is room in the class (only 12 people per class). Follow the "Archery 101" signs from the main contact station to the group campground.
Lake Pleasant Regional Park Group Campground
Take Hwy 74 to Castle Hot Springs Rd., turn right into park, follow signs to program.
Peoria

On 1/4/2014 12:00:00 PM: Stop by the Lake Pleasant Visitor Center anytime between Noon and 1PM and visit with our Naturalist about hiking in the desert and the surrounding area. Frank knows this area very well and can help you plan your next venture into the desert.
Lake Pleasant Regional Park Visitor Center
Take Hwy 74 to Castle Hot Springs Rd. (MP 19), turn right into park, follow signs to visitor center.
Peoria

On 1/4/2014 10:00:00 AM: Join Frank Meyerholtz our volunteer park naturalist for a very interesting hike above the shoreline of Lake Pleasant. This hike is slow paced with several stops to investigate the desert. The hike starts at the visitor center and is around two miles / 1.5 hour hike.
Lake Pleasant Regional Park Visitor Center
Take Hwy 74 to Castle Hot Springs Rd.(MP 19), turn right into park, follow signs to visitor center.
Peoria

On 1/4/2014 9:00:00 AM: Start the year out right and join the ranger for a scenic exercise hike of Lake Pleasant. This 4 mile hike is moderate with just a few hills, and follows trails and roadways. This hike will last about two hours and there are bathrooms and water at the visitor center and along the route.
Lake Pleasant Regional Park Visitor Center
Take Hwy 74 to Castle Hot Springs Rd.(MP 19), turn right into park, follow signs to visitor center.
Peoria

On 1/6/2014 9:00:00 AM: January 6 Monday 9:00 am Take Your Walk to the Desert (moderate) 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 docent Coni Grossman.

On 1/4/2014 9:00:00 AM: January 4 Saturday 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 1/5/2014 2:00:00 PM: What are the names of the unique plants that grow in our desert? How do they survive (and thrive!) in such a harsh environment? Discover the special strategies of these incredible plants when you join our Interpretive Ranger, Ranger B, for this quarter-mile stroll along the scenic Desert Hawk Trail. Please bring water and closed-toe shoes. Location: Nature Center.

On 1/5/2014 10:00:00 AM: Interested in learning how to hike in the desert? This easy hike on a level one-mile scenic trail will introduce you to the fun world of desert hiking! Park hosts, Mark and Lynn, will cover what to carry, what to wear, and how to hike safely in the desert. Location: Area 6.

On 1/4/2014 2:00:00 PM: Are you new to Arizona? Are you curious about cactus and scared of snakes? If so, join us for an introductory experience to the Sonoran Desert. After a question-and-answer session, we will take an enjoyable quarter-mile walk on our scenic Desert Hawk Trail. Please bring water and closed-toe shoes. Location: Nature Center.

On 1/4/2014 12:00:00 PM: What makes owls so different from other birds? Which owls live in our area? How do they survive and thrive in our desert? If you would like to know the answers to these questions, or any questions you may have about owls, 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 some amazing facts about these rockin’ raptors. Location: Nature Center.

On 1/4/2014 9:00:00 AM: Interested in archery? Curious about how to shoot a bow? Come to Usery Park and find out! You will discover how fun archery really is! Participants will experience a fun and safe introduction to recreational and international-style target archery. Equipment will be provided. This class is open to anyone ages 8 and up. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring water, hats, and closed-toe shoes. Meet at the Archery Range. Note: This same class is also offered at 10:30 AM. No registration – just show up and have some fun!

On 1/4/2014 10:00:00 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 national 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, water, and closed-toe shoes. If needed, we have binoculars to borrow. Location: Nature Center.

On 1/4/2014 9:00:00 AM: Don’t have a dog? No problem! Maricopa County’s Animal Care & Control and Parks and Recreation Departments have united to bring you this program. You can “test drive” potential canine hiking partners to see how they behave on leash and get along with other dogs, while learning about trail etiquette and safety. Owned, friendly, leashed dogs that are at least six months old and current on their vaccinations are welcome to join this one-mile trek on our scenic, groomed, Merkle Trail. Please bring water, closed-toe shoes, and an open heart for a possible new best friend, or two. This program will be held on the first Saturday of each month, from November through April. Location: Area 6.