Mesa Arizona Hotels, Resorts, Attractions Tours & Golf Courses In Mesa

Close ~ Convenient ~ Smart

Mesa has fast become the third largest metropolitan city in the state of Arizona offering a variety of lifestyle and leisure pursuits that are in high demand by visitors and residents alike. Now boasting 460,000 residents, Mesa’s population is greater than such well-known cities as Minneapolis, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and Miami. Mesa is unique among cities in the Phoenix area as it is embraced by the Sonoran Desert – a playground for incredible, sought-after outdoor recreation and one-of-a-kind attractions. Pair this with fabulous weather, exquisite dining and ample shopping opportunities and you have the makings for incredible discoveries in the American Southwest.

It's time to stay in Mesa

Check-In Date:

Check-Out Date:

Rooms Needed:

Number of Adults:

Children:

(per room)

From

Depart

Return

Adults(age 18+)		Children
Seniors(65+)

Minor ages at time of travel:

Child 1

Child 2

Child 3

Child 4

Child 5

Home

Allegiant Air at Phx-Mesa Gateway Airport

Mesa's Weather

Cactus League Spring Training

Photo/Video Tour

Mesa Maps

View Your Itinerary

FAQ

Blogs

Bienvenido a Mesa

Relocating to Mesa

Partners Library

Blog Home

Blogging for VisitMesa

August 28, 2009

Celebrating open spaces with green places Usery Mountain Regional Park unveils nature center
(Mesa) - Over the past year, the green movement has gained momentum and local companies are making great strides to ensure that their organizations are moving in this direction. Maricopa County is no different. The county recognizes that it can and should be a regional leader in maintaining a healthy and sustainable community. For this reason, the County implemented the Green Government Program. This program directs county departments to “lead by example” by implementing actions, services and programs that will address regional environmental issues. The Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department has done a commendable job applying this philosophy over the past couple of years by implementing green-friendly facilities and projects such as the solar system at the Desert Outdoor Center at Lake Pleasant, El Rio Project at Estrella Mountain Regional Park and General Joe Foss Shooting Complex at Buckeye Hills Regional Park. This year, the Parks Department committed to unveiling three environmentally-friendly 4,000 sq. ft. nature centers around the Valley. The first Silver LEED Certified nature center, constructed at Estrella Mountain Regional Park, opened in January 2009 and served as the prototype for additional centers. In March, Cave Creek Regional Park invited the public to tour their new nature center and kicked off the event with a rehabilitated bird release. On Saturday, September 26 at 7 p.m., Parks will host a “celebrating open spaces with green places” gala at Usery Mountain Regional Park to unveil the third nature center. “The staff and volunteers at the park are both excited and proud to unveil the new green-friendly nature center to the community,” stated Jennifer Johnston, Usery Mountain Regional Park Supervisor. “September 26 is also National Public Lands Day and on this date many local and state lands participate in events to educate the community about critical environmental and natural resource issues. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect date to host our celebration,” added Johnston. When visitors arrive at the nature centers, they are greeted by an entry pathway that welcomes them into the park and encourages them to venture into the natural surroundings. Natural and cultural resource signage has been placed along the pathways to educate visitors on the importance of Sonoran Desert stewardship and preservation. Once inside, guests will find an array of green-friendly features such as front and back-glazed entries, a central skylight, exposed concrete slab flooring and 20” thick masonry walls. The building’s windows are operable with dual-glazed low-e glass and can be opened for natural ventilation when the weather permits. Exterior materials such as corrugated metal shade panels and unpainted steel siding were chosen for their durability and low maintenance. The restrooms were designed with low-flow toilets and waterless urinals for water conservation. “The building’s main roof surface has an extensive roof garden system. This adds significant insulative value against heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter,” Johnston said. The garden roof also reduces storm water runoff on the site and the flat roof above the staff offices has a 2.1 KW photovoltaic panel assembly. Both Usery Mountain and Cave Creek Regional Parks nature centers are paired with outdoor amphitheaters that are connected to the center by scenic desert walkways. Each of the nature centers includes a retail center, critter exhibit areas and meeting rooms which are available for rent. “Not only are our nature centers excellent educational resources for classes and programs, they also make the perfect setting for corporate meetings and weddings. The new nature centers have so much to offer the public. I invite the community to in on September 26 for a tour and a walk,” concluded Johnston. Total building costs for each nature center is approximately $700,000. One-hundred percent of the funding for the new Silver LEED facilities was provided by the department’s general fund. For additional information on the nature centers or Maricopa County’s Parks and Recreation Department, visit www.maricopa.gov/parks.
	leave a comment

posted by James R. Tevault @ 8:38 AM

My Profile


Name:	James R. Tevault
City/State:	Mesa/AZ

view profile

	THE TRI-CITIES TEE OFF SERVICE TO PHOENIX
	WICHITA TEES OFF NEW SERVICE TO PHOENIX
	Mesa Gateway Strategic Development Plan wins planning award
	SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB EMBARKS ON "PAY AND PLAY" PROGRAM
	Mesa Veterans Day Parade Nov11 at 11 a.m.
	Boxer Julio Cesar Chavez opening Mesa restaurant
	Widespread Cycling Community Support for November 7 Ride of Honor
	7th Annual Buy MPI Tradeshow! “Back to the Basics” Thursday, Nov12, 2009
	Night at the Museum returns to Arizona Museum of Natural History Oct23
	Free storytelling program at Arizona Museum of Natural History on Oct22
	Scott MacIntyre Announces Symphony of the Southwest Performance on Fox10 News
	Phoenix ranks 7th among Best Sports Cities
	Haunted Walk for Ghouly Ghosts at Usery Mountain Park
	“Meat” our new Ice Cream Flavor! Udder Delights puts a picnic in a cone for Labor Day!
	Celebrating open spaces with green places Usery Mountain Regional Park unveils nature center
	Streets of New York Mesa is Supporting Your Local 100 Club Aug21
	Buca to donate 20% of Sales to The Salvation Army on August 10
	Oh OM! Oh Yes! Yoga in Usery Park! ...and more!
	Dobson Ranch Golf Course ranked tops in Arizona
	“Summer Sizzles!” Downtown Mesa Merchants to Heat Things Up During the July 10 Second Friday
	State Parks Available for the Fourth of July Holidays
	FREE Family Movie Night! Saturday, June 27, 2009
	Downtown Mesa Merchants Present an “Ice Cream Social”
	Checkout what the Country Inn & Suites By Carlson is doing to GO GREEN
	Don’t forget Dad this Father’s Day! Free Golf for Dad with Brunch
	Massage Heights offers Mesa visitors a luxury spa experience
	Disney's High School Musical is Live On Stage at the Broadway Palm begining June 5th
	Save the environment with Pizza Fusion in Mesa
	Hyatt Place Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Celebration
	World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Honors Marriott With 'Tourism for Tomorrow Award for Sustain
	Good for PhxMesa Gateway
	Join us for a Peachy Weekend at the Queen Creek Olive Mill!
	D-Vine Wine Festival in Mesa, Saturday, May 16th.
	Amar'e Stoudemire Basketball Academy to Be Held in Mesa
	Longbow Golf Club ranked 16th best in state
	WAC Baseball Tournament to be Played at Mesa, Arizona's Hohokam Stadium in 2010 and Beyond
	Western Athletic Conference Press Conference at Hohokam Stadium May 07 at 2:00pm
	Queen Creek Peach & Art Festival May 15th, 16th & 17, 2009
	Escape the Heat Hiking Excursions
	Turn your Stay-cation this summer into a Save-cation
	We're HORSIN' AROUND at Superstition Farm!
	Phoenix Marriott Mesa is helping our environment
	Nation's Greenest Restaurant Opens In Mesa
	Enhanced Australian Exhibit At Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
	Phoenix Marriott Mesa "Company of the Month Campaign"
	Sports franchise mogul opens Hyatt Place Phoenix/Mesa
	It is more to this city (Mesa) than the cacti
	Name your own guded hike fee until April 1st at 12pm PST

Links

RSS Feed
Blog Home