SKYLINE REGIONAL PARK

SKYLINE REGIONAL PARK GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY

Buckeye

Area mayors and state legislators break ground

UPDATE: grand opening date will be Jan 9, 2016.

Brace yourselves hikers: a new West Valley hiking destination is on schedule to open in November or December 2015. The official groundbreaking ceremony for Skyline Regional Park was held on Wednesday, June 10th. Mayors and state legislators representing surrounding towns and districts

turned the dirt in view of a crowd of outdoor enthusiasts, members of the business community and homeowners from nearby neighborhoods. In addition to the photo opp ceremony, Wild at Heart native bird rescue was

on hand to release a rehabilitated Red-tailed hawk into her new home.

Located just a half mile north of Interstate 10, the 8,700 acre Buckeye park will initially have 14 miles of non-motorized use trails with more planned as development phases roll out.

Another rich feature of the park will be its connectivity with residential communities, adjacent recreation areas like White Tank Mountains Regional Park and the Greater Phoenix circumnavigating Maricopa Trail.

LOCATION:

The entry gate will be located a half-mile north of Interstate 10 on Watson Road (exit 117) in Buckeye.

INFO: City of Buckeye

http://www.buckeyeaz.gov/parks-recreation/enjoy-our-parks/

MORE PHOTOS:

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OCOTE TRAIL

OCOTE TRAIL

White Mountain Grasslands Wildlife Area

Stock pond at White Mountain Grasslands Wildlife Area.

Have you ever wondered where money from the Arizona Lottery ends up? Besides lining the pockets of a few lucky winners, lottery proceeds also support numerous public programs including the Arizona Game and Fish Department Heritage Fund Program for threatened, endangered and sensitive species and their habitats. For the past 20 years the fund has made many positive contributions to the state's wildlife and natural areas conservation efforts while preserving public access and recreational opportunities.

One success story is the White Mountain Grasslands Wildlife Area near the town of Eagar. The 2,850-acre site is comprised of two former ranch properties acquired in 1999 and 2000. The 2.6-mile Ocote trail (named for one of the ranches) wraps around pinion-juniper woodlands, riparian habitat, ponds, a wet meadow, open grasslands, an historic log bunkhouse and rustic ranch house with a windmill.

Interpretive signs placed long the trails give details about the surrounding plants, animals and the how the property's various ecosystems help wildlife thrive. Although the trail is short and can be hiked in about an hour, a better plan is to allow plenty of time to sit quietly at strategically-placed viewing areas to catch sight of the pronghorn antelope, elk, squirrels, fox and dozens of bird species that inhabit this profoundly diverse slice of White Mountain terrain.

While there, kick back at a shady picnic table and contemplate all those bum lottery tickets you've angrily torn up over the years. They weren't losers after all.

LENGTH: 2.6-mile loop

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 7,440' - 7,587'

HOURS: sunrise to sunset daily

GETTING THERE:

From Eagar, travel 5 miles west on State Route 260 to County Road 4128 (signed for Springerville Transfer Station). Turn right and follow the paved road 0.6 mile and take the left fork onto a gravel road. Continue 2.4 miles then turn left at a fork and pass over a cattle guard signed for Arizona Game and Fish Department property. Drive 0.3 mile to the trailhead on the left. Gravel road is suitable for carefully-driven sedans.

INFO: Arizona Game and Fish Department

http://www.azgfd.gov/outdoor_recreation/wildlife_area_grasslands.shtml

About the Heritage Fund:

http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/heritage_program.shtml

MORE PHOTOS:

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