Scottsdale residents voted in 2019 on a bond initiative that would fund 14 projects within the Scottsdale City Limits. One of those projects includes the Ashler Hills Park. Ashler Hills Park is designed to be an 17-acre active recreational park and will include a lighted basketball court, 8 lighted pickle ball courts, a 70-car security lighted parking lot, and a e a 1/4 mile walking loop.
The Town of Scottsdale purchased these 17 acres in 2002 for $2 million dollars. We applaud the Town of Scottsdale and their residents for coming together as a community and creating this recreational area for their resident’s enjoyment.
But Ashler Hills Park is not the vision of Carefree Park. Carefree’s community survey conducted at the start of our General Plan revision embraces a community passionate about preserving the Sonoran Desert – 89% of the respondents said their number one priority was to preserve more open space.
We do not want to plow under more of our Sonoran Desert to construct an adult playground with paved surfaces, heavy lighting that will stay lit until 10:30pm every evening and increased noise pollution from basketball and pickle ball courts. Carefree residents care about preserving our fragile Sonoran desert, which is falling to development at an alarming rate. We care about protecting wildlife habitats and plant life that is an important part of why we moved here in the first place. And we want to preserve our dark skies, not light them up.
Carefree Park’s intent is to leave a gentle footprint, with minimal impact to the landscape – providing an easily accessible 48-acre park only three minutes from Town Center. Residents and visitors can enjoy hiking the Sonoran Desert along 4 miles of gentle trails while enjoying breathtaking unobstructed views.
Scottsdale residents and city officials have already made a huge commitment to protecting open space. Scottsdale has purchased vast quantities of State Land to create amazing hiking parks, and by doing so have protected thousands of acres of natural open space. Scottsdale’s community collaboration to create Ashler Hills Park, this new active recreational park, is another testament to Scottsdale’s long-range vision of adding accessible and varied options for their residents so that they can enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle.
But we need to listen to what is important to Carefree residents. Carefree residents want to preserve our fragile environment and create a place where everyone can appreciate the unique beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Let’s come together as a community to make it happen for Carefree too!
Wendy Mattes
Founder, Carefree Park
