• Current programs & facilities

• Current and future needs

• Available land

• Funding ideas

• Site planning

Current Programs & Facilities -

The East Central Recreation District of Phoenix is covered predominantly by District 6 (Stanton) and District 8 (Johnson). Link: Map of Districts At this time there is only one soccer field available within the district and it is used primarily by a high school. For now there is one youth program in the area with about 400 participants up to age 12. They play on the outfield two baseball fields. There are no programs for teens, men, women or coed teams. Many residents can afford it take their kids to Scottsdale and Tempe... but how long will they be accepted? When their programs get crowded they will surely limit participation to their residents. Then what?

Other recreation districts have multiple fields, even some major complexes and new field construction scheduled. Our districts are landlocked by Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Tempe, and the Gila River Indian Reservation. And there are the geographical obstacles, traffic congestion and the price of gasoline, all barriers to participation at other city locations. Within the recreation department it has been identified as a major shortcoming but they just do not own the required land for even a future project.

Current and Future Needs -

While speaking at a neighborhood meeting Councilman Stanton told everyone that if his district, District 6 were a city, it would be the 7^th largest in Arizona, which would put it at about 200,000 residents. It's a reasonable to compare his area to other valley cities about the same size: Tempe / 170,000, Gilbert / 190,000 and Scottsdale / 230,000. Can you imagine any of those cities with just one soccer field? Currently Tempe has 26 soccer fields, Gilbert has 22 soccer fields and 9 multi-use fields, Scottsdale has 33 soccer fields. Now add in the population of District 8 and the numbers begin to show a critical error in planning for this area of the city. The residents of this area deserve more.

In addition to pure recreation need, please consider the factors of property value, public health and crime (law enforcement, prosecution and detention). Can you imagine the Actual Future Cost to our taxpaying residents if we don't add these services? Can we afford not to one day build this facility?

• Will our youth stay off the streets and healthy without these athletic programs?

• Will area crime increase in future years without these programs and facilities?

• Will area property values be suppressed by lack of recreation services?

• Will there be investment in the poorer neighborhoods of the district?

Available Land -

There is only one parcel of land within the two districts that could meet the recreation needs of residents. The property is the 64 acre vacant lot on the southwest corner of 40^th Street and McDowell. But it has to be addressed sooner than later because it is Trust Land owned by the state and will be sold at auction by mid summer. If the city doesn't obtain this land and take on the project there will never be adequate facilities for our families.

We've met with and talked to people at the city and the state, from Councilmen Stanton and Johnson to Mr Chad Campbell in the AZ House who represents District 14 and even Mr. Max Masel, the Lease Administrator for the land. Every one has agreed that this is much needed and a great idea, if only the city could obtain the land. It wouldn't have to be built out any time soon but it would be there and ready for a park that would meet the needs of area residents.

The city would have to compete with large developers to purchase the property, potentially driving the price up. But there is a new bill in the legislature that would allow the city to buy the land without having to compete so as not to have the taxpayers charge the taxpayers more for land they already own, just through another agency. It is estimated by the land department that the price of this land will be between 12 and 20 million dollars. Only a small percentage of the funding would be due up front, future payments due in better economic times.

Even if the city can't build a park on it this year or even next, once it's filled with condos and apartments there will be no opportunity to provide services... None. Not to mention the residents don't want or need new condos and apartments. It won't help our property values. It won't provide for our needed recreation services. More condos will just bring more people that don't get adequate recreation services from the city.

This year is also the year for renewal of the Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative (PPPI). In 1999, 80 percent of Phoenix voters approved Proposition 101, what we know as PPPI. The measure authorized a modest sales tax (one penny on a $10 purchase) that provided funds to save thousands of acres of state trust land, make improvements to neighborhood and community parks and build regional parks. The measure was expected to raise over $250 million, over its 10 year life span. The city recently spent over $80 million dollars to purchase preserve land and drainage areas, of which all I might add are not in District 6 or 8.

Funding Ideas -

The primary barrier to beginning this project is the cost of the land in a budget cut year. I believe if the city considers the actual needs of residents and the projected short duration of the current fiscal issues, the minimum funding can be allocated.

Construction could be funded in the future with PPPI funding, grants, private donation and corporate sponsorship. There are companies and organizations that have already expressed interest.

In addition, future operational and maintenance costs could be eased or even eliminated by taking a small portion of the land that has frontage on the main roads and using it for long term lease to private companies and individuals to provide related services to the park. The "rent" could fund park maintenance indefinitely. The types of businesses that could support this type of sports park are:

1. Restaurant

2. Coffee shop

3. Indoor soccer

4. Sports apparel

5. Sports medicine / therapy

6. Movie theater

7. Other recreation / sports related services

Site Planning -

The best use of the land not leased would be to add athletic fields, courts and play areas over most of the site. This would include but would not be limited to:

• Soccer Fields

• Lacrosse Fields

• Rugby Fields

• Basketball Courts

• Volleyball Courts

• Running Track

• Child Play Areas
  

In addition there would be room for other city park related structures, such as:

• Community Center

• Park and Recreation Offices

• Fire Department?

• Police Satellite Office?

• Other City Services?

Below is a to scale sample of how much could be fit into the space.