Ribbon Cutting at Desert Awareness Park
The Playground’s ribbon cutting took place November 15 at the park. Cave Creek Town officials including Mayor elect Bob Morris, Kiwanis Committee members, Desert Awareness Committee members, Holland Center Executive as well as the public attended this event.
The Town of Cave Creek and our communities recently received a wonderful gift from the generosity of the Carefree Kiwanis. A beautiful playground fortress graces the Desert Awareness Park in the center of Cave Creek thanks to the coordinated efforts of Town volunteers and organizations.
The 30-year-old playground equipment needed to be replaced. The Desert Awareness Committee of the Holland Community Center worked with the Town and wrote a grant to the Carefree Kiwanis who donated all funds to the project. The Holland Center then donated the installed structure to the Town. The new playground is focused on providing a safe and fun recreational experience for 2 to 12 year old children. Many families, grandparents, and visitors use this quiet park daily.
If you have never visited the Desert Awareness Park, you have missed one of our area’s gems. The park was created in the 1990s by an outpouring of support and creativity by local volunteers. A local developer donated the land, volunteers wrote a $283,000 grant and received funding from the AZ State Heritage Fund, local architect Michael P. Johnson donated his architectural expertise and many local groups including the Foothills Community Foundation, Soroptimist, the Horseman’s Association, Boy and Girl Scouts, the Archeology group, Desert Awareness Committee, and many volunteers and professions donated time, expertise, and talent to build a unique, low impact park, and educational experience for locals to enjoy.
The park also has an award-winning desert heritage center with interpretative signage educating visitor about their unique Sonoran Desert home. During winter months the Desert Awareness Committee lead guided hikes on our nature trails the first Saturday of each month (November to April) Saturday at 10. There is also an amphitheater that has served the community in many events.
Our area is so lucky to have so many community-minded organizations and opportunities to volunteer.
Lynn Walsh 602-576-7329
