White Tank Mountain Regional Park

Edit links
Coordinates: 33°35′18″N 112°32′54″W / 33.5882664°N 112.548349°W / 33.5882664; -112.548349
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

White Tank Mountain Regional Park
Desert vegetation in the park.
Map
LocationMaricopa County, Arizona, United States
Nearest cityWaddell, Arizona
Area29,271 acres
The entrance to the park

The White Tank Mountain Regional Park is a large regional park located in west-central Maricopa County, Arizona. Encompassing 29,271 acres (45.736 sq mi; 118.456 km2) of desert and mountain landscape, it is the largest regional park in the county.[1] The bulk of the White Tank Mountains range is located within the park's boundaries.

Activities

The developed portion of the park provides a number of outdoor recreational activities. Ramadas (generally shaded tables), picnic areas and campgrounds are available and often used for informal gathering places. Several of the campground areas are available for RV access and are semi-developed, including picnic tables, barbecue grills and restroom facilities equipped with showers.

The park is better renowned for its extensive network of hiking trails. Nearly 26 miles (42 km) of hiking trails wind through the terrain in the park, ranging in difficulty from a simple walk to moderately challenging. The most commonly used is the Waterfall trail, a 0.9-mile (1.4 km) walk that culminates in a narrow canyon featuring a seasonal waterfall. Bicycling and horseback riding are permitted on many of the trails. In addition to the network of hiking trails, the 10-mile (16 km) competitive track is designed for "high speeds, challenging one's skills, and racing".[2]

Clear weather typical of the desert environment combined with darker skies due to the semirural setting provide for

stargazing and amateur astronomy opportunities. The park hosts an organized stargazing event at various dates through the year.[3] A number of other organized events take place regularly during the year, including interpretive nature hikes, guided health walks, and youth-oriented events.[4]

White Tank Library and Nature Center

Opened in 2010

LEED-certified building.[6]
The library features a large viewing area of the park. The nature center includes live native reptiles, an information center, and a gift shop. Nature education programs are offered for children, families, and adults.

Environment and history

The park encompasses a large swath of desert and mountain environment and doubles as a

natural preserve. The majority of the park is undeveloped wilderness prohibiting motorized vehicles except on existing roads. Hiking throughout the majority of the park is also restricted to marked trails. Some hunting is permitted within the park boundaries, but subject to restriction.[7]

A number of local, indigenous species inhabit the park and are often spotted by park visitors, such as

reptiles, as well. Guided hikes offered by the park service offer visitors an excellent opportunity to learn about and view the native flora and fauna
.

Although normally dry, the area is subject to sudden and sometimes severe

canyons
that run through the mountains, particularly during thunderstorms common in the late summer. While this creates a potential hazard situation, the appearance of temporary waterfalls in the rugged terrain is a seasonal attraction to park visitors.

Hohokam civilization

The mountains are also home to a number of

Meso-Indians.[4]
Park visitors are encouraged to photograph petroglyphs or other archaeological remains, but park regulations prohibit touching or otherwise disturbing them.

Urban sprawl encroachment

The White Tank Regional Park is located on the western fringe of the

environmentalists and park officials worried that the human impact may disrupt the area's ecology.[8]

Surprise is adjacent to the park's north and east borders; in response to the environmental concerns, city planners have identified the White Tank Mountains and the adjoining desert environment's preservation as one of the most critical planning issues in their general plan.[9] To that end, the plan includes a greenbelt "buffer" between residential development and the park. Critics respond that the park will still suffer the effects of being isolated from surrounding areas, becoming in effect an ecological island.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Maricopa County Parks". Daily News-Sun.
  2. ^ "Sonoran Loop Competitive Track" (PDF).
  3. ^ New-Public Programs
  4. ^ a b c "Parks & Recreation – Maricopa County". Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  5. ^ "White Tank Library and Nature Center features and programs". AZ Central. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  6. ^ "White Tank Library and Nature Center Nabs LEED Platinum Cert". Maricopa County Government. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  7. ^ "Game Management Unit 42". Arizona Game and Fish Department.
  8. ^ "Urbanizing White Tanks". The Arizona Republic (CNN link). July 24, 2000.
  9. ^ "Surprise General Plan 2020". City of Surprise.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to White Tank Mountains Regional Park.

33°35′18″N 112°32′54″W / 33.5882664°N 112.548349°W / 33.5882664; -112.548349

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=White_Tank_Mountain_Regional_Park&oldid=1194793103"