Working together, we've improved our community

As we approach the end of the year, many of us reflect on our accomplishments, our goals in progress and the goals we will set for the coming year. When I was elected to serve as your representative to the City Council in 2002, many of you shared your thoughts and concerns for our neighborhoods. I listened and our accomplishments in District 2 are the result of hard work by residents, local businesses, and city staff, who have come together to enhance the quality of life in our community.

Public safety is one of my highest priorities. I strongly believe that the services available to residents near the downtown area should be available to residents in the upper corner of the city as well. Over the past two years I've worked with our Police Department to purchase land at Smokehouse Trail and Cave Creek Road for a new precinct. The 20,000-square-foot precinct will house an indoor shooting range, support 250 officers and is adjacent to a 20 acre neighborhood park and will serve residents in northeast Phoenix. This precinct will ensure that residents in the northeastern most section of the city will have enhanced police protection.

Our parks are at the heart of our community. The city's parks provide a place for family picnics, exercise, sporting events and more. Over the past two years, many of you have worked with me and our Parks Department on several projects and I'm happy to announce that we've made great progress.

District 2's regional park, Paradise Valley Park, located at 40th Street and Union Hills, is expanding. Construction began this fall and once completed, the park will include two lighted soccer fields, 100 space parking lot at soccer fields, updated playground equipment, a new entrance off 40th Street, additional landscaping and an irrigation system.

Construction at Dynamite Park, just west of Tatum Boulevard on Dynamite Boulevard, is complete and the park opened in October. Amenities at the 22 acre park include lighted basketball and tennis courts, a playground, turf area with surrounding walking paths, security lighting and a small parking lot adjacent to Dynamite Boulevard.

The Reach11 Recreation Area is currently in design. The $8 million construction project is anticipated to break ground in late 2005, and include an active Sports Complex featuring lighted soccer fields (one of which will be a championship soccer field), parking and a restroom building. This is the first phase of construction for this district park and will be a great source of future recreation for District 2 residents.

Yes, we've been very busy on these projects, but we've also been looking to the future with a few other projects. We will continue to work on the development of the Reach 11 Recreation Area. We also are continuing our efforts to purchase land for the planned Sonoran Preserve and will work to provide additional recreational amenities at Cave Creek Road and Tatum Boulevard next to the Desert Broom Branch Library that was dedicated earlier this year.

As we come to the close of this year, I want to thank you for your support in enhancing the quality of life our residents in District 2 have come to enjoy and expect.

Phoenix City Councilwoman Peggy Neely represents District 2, which encompasses most of northeast Phoenix. She can be reached at 602- 262-7445 or via e-mail at council.district.2@phoenix.gov.