Small turnout for park planning

Community members and Phoenix officials met last week at the Pecos Park Community Center to get input on how to best use money that will be collected by the recently approved Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative.

Nearly 20 of the 50 or so attendees were Phoenix officials, including Councilman Greg Stanton and Parks and Preserve administrator Cynthia Peters, who both spoke to the assembly.

"I think it was a great vote of confidence," Stanton said, pointing to the 83 percent of voters who voted to renew the initiative.

The initiative, which levies a one-cent sales tax on every $10 purchased, will, over the next 30 years, give the city funds to improve existing parks, and protect and expand preserve land.

"Now our kids and grandkids will be able to visit the Sonoran Desert area," Stanton said.

The initiative has generated nearly $200 million since 1999, part of which paid for Pecos Park, and is expected bring in a great deal more over the next 30 years.

"It's your money," Stanton said. "It's the public's money."

"Today you have the opportunity to let us know what your desires are," Peters told the audience.

Members of the community voted for their favorite projects using red dots they received at the door and placing them next to programs or projects they believed should receive priority.

Sean and Patricia Prior, retired Tempe residents who volunteer at Phoenix's Irish Cultural Center, came into to Ahwatukee Foothills to cast their vote for additional park rangers and security lighting to keep the parks safe.

"People won't use these parks if they feel concerned for their safety," Sean Prior said, adding that a recent rash of petty crimes influenced his vote.

"We just can't tolerate that," Prior said of the crime.

Other high priority programs for local residents included adding shade, increasing youth activities and acquiring and developing preserve lands received the most dots.

People who wanted something other than what was on the list wrote their pet projects down on a sheet of paper.

Some of those suggestions included adding more trees and seating at the off-leash dog area at Pecos Park, increasing parking at all parks and recreation centers, and expanding Margaret T. Hance Park.

Will Bullock, 48, came out to spearhead an effort to garner a sports complex near 40th Street and McDowell Road.

Bullock said he became involved when he tried to reserve a field for his soccer team last year, only to find that he would have to drive over half-an-hour to use facilities in Tempe or Scottsdale.

"I became the instant squeaky wheel," Bullock said.

According to him, the plot of land is the only one left in the area large enough to house an adequate sports complex.

Bullock says that while the group already has around 1,500 signatures in support of building the sports complex, there is no magic number to force the city to do anything.

The city had a chance to purchase the land earlier this month, but passed because they thought the price was too high, Bullock said.

He hopes the city won't pass again in the next auction July 31.

"We have another chance," Bullock said. "Once it's gone, it's gone."

Last week's June 26 meeting was the first in a series city-wide to gather input before the Parks and Recreation Department creates a plan for park improvements that will then go to the City Council for approval.

To vote online or for more information, go to www.phoenix.gov/PARKS.

Ben Sandoval is interning this summer at the AFN. He is a junior at Arizona State University.