South Mountain Park

South Mountain Park in Phoenix, Arizona is the largest city park in the United States, [cite web|url=http://www.tpl.org/content_documents/ccpe_100LargestCityParks.pdf|title=The 100 Largest City Parks|publisher=The Trust for Public Land] one of the largest urban parks in North America and in the world. It has been designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride. [cite web|url=http://phoenix.gov/ARTS/pridepts.html|title=Phoenix Points of Pride|accessmonthday=October 18 |accessyear=2006]

Natural wonders

South Mountain Park preserves in a natural state a mountainous area of convert|16283|acre|km2 or approximately 25.5 mi² of native desert vegetation. Originally called Phoenix Mountain Park, it was formed in 1924 when President Calvin Coolidge sold its initial 13,000 acres (53 km²) to the City of Phoenix for $17,000. It has since been expanded through bond programs during 1970s into the early 1980s. It is located south of central Phoenix, hence the name. Since the naming, suburban growth has nearly surrounded the park. Ahwatukee now borders to the south and Laveen to the west.

The park's lookout point rises over 1000 feet (305 m) above the desert floor. Beyond the roads leading to ramadas and the summit, the park features 58 miles (93 km) of trails for cycling, hiking and horseback riding. Much of the original park infrastructure was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930s. The landmark Mystery Castle is located within its foothills.

See also

*South Mountains (Arizona)

References

External links

* [http://www.ci.phoenix.az.us/PARKS/hikesoth.html Park website]
* [http://www.phoenix.gov/PARKS/southmnt.html Official site]
* [http://phoenix.about.com/od/parks/a/southmountain.htm About.com article]
* [http://www.azcentral.com/travel/hiking/hike-southmtn.html Guide to the National Trail]
* [http://southmountainhistory.blogspot.com South Mountain History]