PHOENIX—The city of Phoenix and Arizona State University West (ASU West) started construction in April on a $3 million, 40-acre community park that will benefit both area residents and ASU West students.
the Local, Regional and State Parks Heritage Fund, and the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority are funding the joint program with contributions of $525,000, $500,000, $500,000 and $150,000 respectively. By the end of the project the community park will house athletic fields, playgrounds, picnic areas, an amphitheater, a recreation center, on-site parking and walking/jogging paths.
“Multi-use projects, such as this, are extremely important to us since they provide the community with additional avenues to serve varied interests and activities,” Ted Ferris, president and CEO of the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority, said. “ASU has done a superior job of securing several partners to help leverage our $150,000 contribution into a larger, more comprehensive project for the benefit of the neighborhood.”
The project is divided in three phases. Officials expect the first $1.6-million phase, which includes a soccer and general use grass sports field along with basic infrastructure and parking, to be completed later this year. Phases two and three will include more specific sports facilities such as tennis and volleyball courts, a playground and a recreation center. Funds for the final phases have not yet been secured.