From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
South Mountain Park in Phoenix,
Arizona, is the largest city park in the United States,[1] one of
the largest urban
parks in North
America and in the world. It has been designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride.[2]
Geography
and Ecology
South Mountain Park preserves in a natural state a mountainous
area of 16,283 acres (65.89 km2) or
approximately 25.5 mi² of native desert vegetation. Originally
called Phoenix Mountain Park, it was formed in 1924 when President
Calvin
Coolidge sold its initial 13,000 acres (53 km²) to the
city of Phoenix for $17,000. It has since been expanded through
bond programs during 1970s into the early 1980s. It is located
south of central Phoenix, hence the name. Since the naming,
suburban growth has nearly surrounded the park. Ahwatukee now borders to the south and Laveen to the
west.
South Mountain was originally known as the Salt River Mountains. The original mountain
park committee consisted of J.C. Dobbins, chairman of the Phoenix
city planning commission, Mrs. John Hampton, and H.B.
Wilkinson.[3] Dobbins
Road, named after J.C. Dobbins, runs east and west just north of
the park.
The park's lookout point rises over 1000 feet (305 m) above the
desert floor. Beyond the roads leading to ramadas and the summit,
the park features 58 miles (93 km) of trails for cycling, hiking
and horseback riding. Much of the original park infrastructure was
constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps
in the early 1930s. The landmark Mystery Castle is located within its
foothills.
There is a variety of flora and fauna within South Mountain
Park. One of the most notable flora is the Elephant tree, Bursera
microphylla, which exhibits multiple contorted trunk
architecture.[4]
Twilight over Phoenix from South Mountain Park
See also
References
External
links
| Neighborhoods and Urban Villages of Phoenix,
Arizona |
|
| Urban Villages |
|
|
| Other Neighborhoods |
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Coordinates: 33°20′10″N 112°4′10″W / 33.33611°N
112.06944°W / 33.33611;
-112.06944
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