Phoenix Parks and Recreation Launches Ranger-led Hiking Group ‘Hike Right PHX’
The city of Phoenix Parks and Recreation department recently launched a new monthly hiking group, Hike Right PHX. This group is aimed at promoting safe hiking practices for people of all experience levels and will be led by Phoenix Park Rangers.
Hiking is incredibly popular in Phoenix, with its beautiful desert landscapes and scenic trails. However, with this increase in popularity comes a need for education on how to hike safely and create a community atmosphere for hikers of all abilities.
“We are thrilled to launch Hike Right PHX as a way to promote safe hiking practices to both new and regular hikers in our community,” Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Aguilar says. “Our park rangers are experts in trail safety and provide a community atmosphere for hikers of all abilities.”
Hike Right PHX will offer monthly hikes on the second Saturday of each month. The first hike will take place on Saturday, March 9 at 8 a.m. at North Mountain Visitor Center, 12950 N 7th St., in Phoenix.
Registration is recommended for Hike Right PHX and can be completed online through Phoenix Parks and Recreation. For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/2p87m4d.
Phoenix Approves Construction Contract for Rehabilitation of Cave Creek Water Reclamation Plant
Rendering courtesy of city of Phoenix
The Phoenix City Council voted unanimously on February 7 to move forward with a pivotal project to revitalize and expand the capabilities of the Cave Creek Water Reclamation Plant, a key water treatment facility in north Phoenix at Cave Creek Road and Deer Valley Drive. This project marks a significant step forward in sustainable water practices and community development and sets the stage for what may be a transformative chapter in Phoenix’s approach to innovative water management.
The Cave Creek facility, shuttered in 2009 due to an economic slowdown, is poised for a comeback that aligns with Phoenix’s strategic plan to diversify and secure its water resources. The council’s decision to approve the construction contract opens a pathway for the plant to one day employ advanced water purification technologies, offering a promising future.
“Phoenix takes seriously the need to secure our water future and continues to bring new solutions to the table to do so,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego says. “Reopening the Cave Creek Water Reclamation Plant with new water recycling capabilities will be crucial to shore up Phoenix’s water supply, support sustainable development, and maintain a strong quality of life for Phoenix families. Thanks to the city’s commitment to water stewardship and the deployment of innovative technologies, we will be able to deliver what is effectively a new water supply before the end of the decade.”
The plant is expected to be operational by the end of 2026. It will feature a low-profile design, indoor equipment, covered processes, odor control scrubbers, and a color scheme harmonizing with the natural desert environment. The capacity is set at 8 million gallons a day (MGD), expandable to 16 MGD. With advanced treatment technologies like Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Ultraviolet Advanced Oxidation Processes (UV AOP), the plant could one day produce 6.7 million gallons a day of potable water to serve approximately 25,000 households annually.
