Phoenix Points of Pride

The Phoenix Points of Pride are 33 landmarks and attractions within the Phoenix, Arizona city limits that are claimed to represent the best features of the city for both residents and visitors. Each Point of Pride was selected through an election process that involved 40,000 residents voting for their favorite destinations and resources.

The first 25 Points of Pride were selected in 1992. The program was seen as a way to boost civic morale in the wake of negative national publicity for Phoenix in the wake of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday controversy. Cricket Pavilion and the Deer Valley Rock Art Center were added in 1996 and 2000 respectively, and the Japanese Friendship Garden, Ben Avery Shooting Facility and the Thomas J. Pappas School were selected in 2004. Arizona State University at the West Campus, Burton Barr Central Library and Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center (the area's first Jewish synagogue) are the most recent Points of Pride, selected in 2008 [ [http://phoenix.gov/NEWSREL/ARCHIVE/2008/MARCH/2803newpride.html City of Phoenix press release about the 2008 Points of Pride] ] .

The Points of Pride include man-made structures such as St. Mary's Basilica, the Phoenix Zoo and US Airways Center, as well as naturally occurring structures such as Camelback Mountain and Hole-in-the-Rock at Papago Park.

The Phoenix Pride Commission is responsible for maintaining the list of Phoenix Points of Pride and promoting these unique metropolitan area resources. In the past, the commission accepted nominations from the residents and selected locations for the Points of Pride ballot. The residents voted for these locations and the commission determined how many of the locations receiving the greatest number of votes were designated as a Point of Pride.

In July 2008, Phoenix mayor Phil Gordon changed the Phoenix Pride Commission to an ad hoc commission, meaning that it will meet on a much more infrequent basis due to budget shortfalls; this could mean the effective end of the Points of Pride program. [ [http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/07/31/20080731pride0801.html "Budget woes may have doomed Points of Pride program", The Arizona Republic, July 31, 2008] ] .

External links

*City of Phoenix website: [http://phoenix.gov/ARTS/pridepts.html Phoenix Points of Pride]

References