We have been publishing feature stories this past month concerning the park amenities in Fountain Hills. July has been designated as national Parks and Recreation Month, so we thought it would be a good time for such a series.

Within the Phoenix metropolitan area, the Town of Fountain Hills is relatively small when compared to other Valley municipalities.

Yet its park system remains a point of pride for this town. During the past 25 years the town government has taken over a few parks as well as built some new ones. The older parks have received various upgrades and new amenities. Each park is different, attempting to accommodate the diverse needs of this community and its tourists and visitors.

Golden Eagle Park, for example, was built as a more “active” park, featuring a wide array of recreational amenities for Little Leaguers on up to senior softballers and tennis players. Fountain Park, the community’s oldest and original park amenity built by the developer, is a more passive park that welcomes walkers, picnickers and the like.

Building and maintaining parks takes money, of course, and a commitment from elected officials and the citizenry that these amenities will be maintained safely and properly. Some budgetary decisions are not always easy, but Fountain Hills does a better than average job of maintaining its parks. We urge town officials to continue that trend – as our parks are well used and well liked. They are a vital part of an active and vibrant community.

Let’s enjoy and use our parks on a year-round basis (even though it’s a bit toasty right now).