Landscape Beautification Awards
nomination form ......................... 2
Volunteer of the Year
nomination form ........................ 3
Online surveys ........................... 4
Community clean-up .................. 4
Annual garden show .................. 4
This year marks the 20th
anniversary of the Town of Queen
Creek. The Town incorporated in
September 1989 to preserve the
benefits of rural life and provide
avenues for managed change.
Look for more information about
the Town of Queen Creek as we
celebrate 20 years of community
throughout 2009!
Office Hours
Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday-Sunday, closed
Town Hall
22350 S. Ellsworth Road
Queen Creek, AZ 85242
Phone: 480-358-3000
Traffic: 480-358-3132
Fax: 480-358-3189
Development Services
Phone: 480-358-3003
Inspections: 480-358-3030
Parks and Recreation
Phone: 480-358-3700
Town of Queen Creek Water
Phone: 480-358-3450
www.queencreek.org
In accordance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act, this publication can
be made available in an alternative
format, if requested. It can also be
made available in Spanish. Si desea
esta información en español por favor
llame al teléfono 480-358-3000.
Each January, the Town of Queen Creek prepares a summary about the status of the
community which outlines accomplishments from the past year as well as the plans for the year
ahead. Mayor Art Sanders presented the annual State of the Town address at the Jan. 21 Town
Council meeting. To view a copy of the Mayor’s address and a complete list of accomplishments
for 2008, or to view the Town Council meeting, visit www.queencreek.org.
•
- Fire: Queen Creek’s first firefighters were
sworn in. The new fire department responded to
1,500 calls and spoke to more than 600 students
about fire safety. The Town established a new
fire station on Sossaman Road to aid responses
in the southern portion of the Town.
- Water: The Town purchased the Queen
Creek Water Company, implemented a water
conservation program and expanded one-stop
services to residents by relocating water offices Firefighters demonstrate a vehicle fire during the
to the Town’s Development Services Building. Road to Safety Celebration in October 2008.
•
- Grants: The Town received a $5,000 grant from the Horselovers Association to connect
the Queen Creek Wash trail from Ocotillo Road to Desert Mountain Park; a $525,000 grant
from the Maricopa Association of Governments for construction of a paved path in Queen
Creek Wash; and a $247,000 grant from the Arizona State Department of Homeland Security
for technical rescue equipment that will allow Queen Creek firefighters to perform rescue
operations in confined spaces and trenches.
- Financial Review Task Force: The Town established a citizen Financial Review Task Force
to evaluate long-term funding needs in the parks and transportation programs.
•
- Commercial Retail: The opening of Queen
Creek Marketplace and the Cornerstone at
Queen Creek added approximately 1 million
square feet of new retail in the community.
- General Plan Update: The Town updated the
Town’s General Plan, which was approved by
Queen Creek voters in September.
- Building Code Update: The Town updated
building codes to continue to ensure the benefits
of modern construction and guarantee safe
A view of new retail in the Queen Creek Town Center. places well into the future.
•
- Town Hall Community Outreach Events: The Town hosted two Community Town Hall
events, including an ice cream social and a pancake breakfast, with more than 400 residents
attending each event. The outreach events gave residents opportunities to ask questions, learn
about Town projects and enjoy time with friends and family.
Continued on page 2
Continued from page 1
Residents shop for fresh produce at the inaugural
Queen Creek Farmers’ Market.
- Queen Creek Farmers’ Market: The Town launched its first Farmers’ Market
program. More than 3,000 people attended the kick-off event in November.
- Youth Town Hall Forum: The Queen Creek Youth Commission hosted a Town Hall
Forum in March providing an opportunity for young residents to voice their opinions
and discuss current topics facing teens.
- Program Partnerships: The Town established partnerships to assist with youth
sports programming. It also secured sponsors and partners for program assistance in
the youth and teen programming areas of health, arts and outdoor activities.
- Electronic Communication: Queen Creek began broadcasting Town Council
meetings on the Town’s Web site and cable Channel 11. The Town also offered
subscriptions to the weekly e-newsletter and other information via the Web site.
•
- Roadway Improvements: Ellsworth Road was widened to four lanes between
Queen Creek and Germann roads and to six lanes, including two signals, from
Ellsworth Loop to Cloud Road. Rittenhouse Road was completed east of Power
Road to east of Sossaman Road, including two full signals. Signals were installed
at the intersections of Hawes and Ocotillo roads and Power and Riggs roads, as
well as Rittenhouse Road and the Village Loop North. The Ellsworth Loop railroad
underpass was completed, allowing residents to bypass railroad traffic congestion.
- Regional Transportation: The Town proposed a state-wide transportation program
(Regional Transportation Mitigation Program) assisting hyper-growth communities
and resulting in funding for a project to widen Ellsworth Road to the county line.
Traffic passes under the new railroad underpass at
Ellsworth Loop and Rittenhouse roads.
- State Route 802 (Williams Gateway Freeway): Queen Creek took a leadership
position on the future alignment of State Route 802 in Pinal County to make sure it will provide balance between congestion
relief for existing residents, preservation of homes and businesses and economic development opportunities.
- Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport: The Town has been actively involved with Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. The airport recently
approved a master plan with emphasis on coordinating land uses and transportation corridors south of the airport in Queen Creek.
•
- Library Grand Opening: Queen Creek celebrated the grand opening of its new
library, the first municipal building constructed under the Town’s green building
policy. The new community hub provides a gathering place for people of all ages.
- Library Recreation Annex: The Town opened the recreation annex adjoining the
library, offering residents a variety of new special interest recreation classes.
The new Queen Creek Library is the community’s
first green municipal building.
•
- Town Budget: The Town Council adopted a restructured $134.3 million budget for
the community, including approximately $28 million for capital purposes, as well as
comprehensive investment, reserve and debt management policies.
- Law Enforcement: The Town’s budget included expansion of law enforcement services, including a new beat and a partnership
with the Queen Creek Unified School District for a School Resources Officer at Queen Creek High School.
•
- Operating Hours: The Town expanded office hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, allowing residents
and customers the opportunity to conduct business on their way to work or on their way home. By closing Town offices
on Fridays, the Town expects to save approximately $60,000 in electricity costs annually.
Queen Creek has a number of exciting prospects to look forward to in 2009. Reservations are now being accepted for events
throughout the year at Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Centre, which opened in January. The new park will serve as the southeast
valley’s premier equestrian facility providing opportunities for events of both the English and Western persuasion. Queen Creek
recently issued a request for bids to provide recycling, trash collection and bulk waste collection in the community; the Town
Council will review options and make a decision about this topic in the near future. Through a partnership between the Town and
the United States Post Office, a new downtown post office will open later this year.
The Town celebrates the beauty of its neighborhoods and businesses
with the Neighborhoods in Bloom Landscape Beautification Awards
Program. Awards are presented to residents and business owners who take
significant strides toward making Queen Creek a more beautiful place
through exterior landscaping. Winners are recognized by the Town Council.
Award Category:
□ Residential (single-family residence)—photo required
□ Business—photo required
□ Neighborhood (a group of neighbors within one subdivision
working together)—“before” and “after” photos required
□ Community Partner Project (generally a partnership of two or more
neighborhoods, a neighborhood and a community group, or two or
more community groups)—“before” and “after” photos required
□ Makeover (significant visible improvements)—“before” and “after”
photos required
Entry Name: (name of resident, business, association or organization; print
names exactly how they should read on an award)
____________________________________________________________
Entry Address: (include directions from the nearest major intersection;
addresses must be located within the Town of Queen Creek incorporated limits)
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Project Description: (specify the exact area to be judged; include information
about the purpose of the project and the persons or groups involved; attach
additional pages if necessary) ________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Contact: ______________________________________________________
Day Phone: ____________________ Cell Phone: ____________________
Address: _____________________________________________________
E-mail: ______________________________________________________
By signing and submitting this application to the Town of Queen Creek, I
understand that I am granting permission for the Town of Queen Creek to
publicize the entry address listed above.
Signature ___________________________________________________
Return your application by 6 p.m., Monday, March 16
in person or by mail to:
Town of Queen Creek - Neighborhoods in Bloom Awards Program
22350 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek, AZ 85242
No fee is required to participate.
For rules and guidelines or for more information,
call 480-358-3003 or visit www.queencreek.org.
Every year, the Town recognizes community
volunteers for the genuine service they give. Winners
are recognized by the Town Council.
Nominee Name: ____________________________
□ Adult
□ Youth
□ Organization
Address: __________________________________
__________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________
Occupation: ________________________________
Describe how this individual is involved in projects
or organizations that benefit the community:
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
List the number of hours, days, weeks, months,
etc. that the nominee has served supporting his/her
commitment to the Queen Creek community:
__________________________________________
Describe the individuals or groups in the community
that have benefitted the most, and describe the effect
this work has had on the community:
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Individual Submitting the Nomination:
__________________________________________
Address: __________________________________
__________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________
Return your application by
5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26 to:
Town of Queen Creek
Communications & Marketing
22350 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek, AZ 85242
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: 480-358-3909
For more information,
call 480-358-3190 or visit www.queencreek.org.
Front: Vice Mayor Gail Barney, Mayor Art Sanders, Joyce Hildebrandt
Back: Jeff Brown, Craig Barnes, Jon Wootten, Gordon Mortensen
Log on to the Town Web site to
submit your feedback about Town
services! Monthly surveys are now
available online for residents to provide opinions about
Town-related functions. The informal surveys help Town
officials gauge public opinion.
The survey topic for February is recreation classes. Visit
www.queencreek.org and click on Surveys under the What’s
New tab on the home page. Upcoming surveys include sewer
services and dust control. Let your voice be heard!
The San Tan Mountains
PRIDE Association, in partnership
with the Town of Queen Creek,
Maricopa and Pinal counties and
local businesses, is coordinating a
community clean-up that includes
Queen Creek and the surrounding
areas. The event is scheduled from
8 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Feb. 28.
Pick up will not be offered;
residents must bring their own
items to the depot site, including:
• Large items (refrigerators,
washers, dryers, tires, etc.)
• Recyclables (plastic, cardboard,
newspaper and cans)
• Hazardous materials (batteries,
antifreeze, etc.)
• Electronic equipment
For details, call 602-739-9993
or visit www.santanpride.org.
Learn how to care
for your lawn and garden
at the Neighborhoods
in Bloom Garden Show
from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 21 at the
Queen Creek Library,
21802 S. Ellsworth
Road. TV Channel
3’s “Dave the Garden
Guy” will be among the
speakers demonstrating
techniques at the event.
This free event
is a kick-off to the
Landscape Beautification
Awards Program. For
more information, call
480-358-3003 or visit
www.queencreek.org.
4
Youth Commission Meeting
Wednesday, Feb. 4
6 p.m.
Town Hall
Youth Jam! Sweethearts
Friday, Feb. 13
6 - 9 p.m.
Queen Creek Community Center
Youth Commission Meeting
Wednesday, Feb. 18
6 p.m.
Town Hall
Youth & Teen Field Trip:
Superstition Mountain Hike
Saturday, Feb. 21
8 a.m.
Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA
Skills Challenge
Saturday, Feb. 21
10 a.m. - Noon
Queen Creek High School
Gymnasium
Recreation Advisory Board
Meeting
Tuesday, Feb. 24
6 p.m.
Development Services Building –
San Tan Conference Room
Youth Commission Meeting
Wednesday, March 4
6 p.m.
Town Hall
Aquafina Pitch, Hit & Run
Saturday, March 28
10 a.m. - Noon
Desert Mountain Park
For details about Parks &
Recreation events/registration,
call 480-358-3700 or visit
www.queencreek.org.
Dribble, pass, shoot… score! The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA
Skills Challenge isn’t just about who scores the most points,
it’s about the love of the game.
This national basketball competition provides boys
and girls ages 9 to 14 a free opportunity to showcase their
dribbling, passing and shooting abilities through a series of
activities. Local competition champions advance to compete
in one of 35 regional competitions across the country in
hopes of advancing to the national finals in Orlando.
Registration will be held on-site the day of the
competition at 10 a.m. Late registrations will not be
accepted. All participants must provide a copy of their
birth certificate and have a parent or guardian complete a
registration/waiver form prior to the start of the competition.
Age classification is as of May 16 of the current year.
For more information, visit www.queencreek.org or
call the Parks and Recreation Department at 480-358-3700.
Pitch, Hit & Run is an exciting
baseball skills competition that
provides boys and girls ages 7 to 14 the
opportunity to showcase their pitching,
hitting and running abilities. The competition is free to all
participants and is intended to encourage youth participation
in the fun of baseball.
Participants compete to advance through four levels of
competition. Queen Creek winners advance to a sectional
competition with other local winners from the Phoenix
metropolitan area, and sectional winners advance to a team
championship at Chase Field to compete for the opportunity
to advance to the national finals at the 2009 MLB All-Star
Game in St. Louis.
The local Queen Creek Pitch, Hit & Run competition
will be held in collaboration with the Queen Creek Little
League’s opening day. Registration will be on-site the day of
the competition or at the Parks and Recreation office, 22350
S. Ellsworth Road, starting Feb. 23. For more information,
visit www.queencreek.org or call 480-358-3700.
Start a new experience with that special someone or create
fun memories with friends by signing up for a special interest
class together! Instructors from the community are teaching a
variety of classes, ranging from one-day guitar workshops to
weekly fitness classes.
Rekindle a friendship and sign up today! For class listings
and registration, pick up a brochure at the Parks and Recreation
office at 22350 S. Ellsworth Road, visit www.queencreek.org
or call 480-358-3700.
Registration has begun for the Community Center spring
2009 programs. In addition to regular after-school fun, exciting
programs such as Skate Club, Explore AZ and the famous
3-on-3 Teen Basketball League are starting soon!
Registration is open through Feb. 19, so hurry and sign
up! Free registration packets are available at the Community
Center, 22407 S. Ellsworth Road, the Parks and Recreation
office, 22350 S. Ellsworth Road, or on the Town Web site at
www.queencreek.org.
Program information is listed below:
• Skate Club (ages 6-17):
Mondays, March 2 - April 6, 6 - 7 p.m., $20
• Youth Commission Town Hall Forum (ages 13-17):
Saturday, March 7, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., free
• Explore AZ (ages 10-17):
Saturdays, March 28 - May 2, 8 a.m. - noon, $50
• Teen 3-on-3 Co-Rec Basketball League (ages 13-17):
Mondays, April 6 - May 4, 5:30 - 7 p.m., $5/person
The Community Center After-School Program needs adult
volunteers to teach, instruct and assist with upcoming youth
programs. Classes include pom and cheer, photography, teen
writing, skateboarding clubs, hiking and outdoor programs,
teen dodgeball league, break dancing and youth gardening.
Adult volunteers must complete an application and
background check and have a fingerprint card on file before
beginning any programs. If interested in becoming an adult
volunteer or if you have an idea for future youth programs,
contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 480-358-3700.
The Queen Creek Senior Program has a beautiful new
home! The program is now held at the Library Recreation
Annex, located in the Queen Creek Library building, 21802 S.
Ellsworth Road.
The group meets Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m.
to noon. Residents over age 50 are invited to join the program
for fun adventures, socialization and activities! For more
information, contact Cathy Lolley at 480-358-3728 or e-mail
[email protected].
The Town of Queen Creek was awarded a grant from the
Arizona Horse Lovers Foundation to create an equestrian
trail along Queen Creek Wash from Hawes Road to Desert
Mountain Park. The project includes a safe equestrian ramp
from the trail node at Desert Mountain Park into the bottom of
the wash. The grant is one of 12 awarded in 2008.
The equestrian trail is a critical link in the Parks, Trails
and Open Space Master Plan and is part of a larger multi-use
trails project of Queen Creek Wash. Trails and paths are the top
recreational and leisure amenity desired by Town residents per
the most recent Recreation Needs Assessment Study. Design
has begun on the project, and construction is slated to begin in
March and continue through December.
The Town of Queen Creek welcomed Horseshoe Park
& Equestrian Centre to its award-winning stable of parks on
Saturday, Jan. 17 at a day-long grand opening event.
Approximately 7,500 visitors enjoyed a wide range of
equestrian events including National Barrel Horse Association
barrel racing, the Superstition Mountain Pony Club’s hunter
jumper show, Best Ever Production’s team roping, and displays
and events by Maricopa County 4-H members.
Visitors also enjoyed free carnival and pony rides, a petting
zoo, a free concert by Harry Luge, and entertainment by the
Roping Reynosos and cowboy poet Mike Dunn.
The Town would like to thank the sponsors of the event,
including the Queen Creek Tribune, J2 Engineering and
Environmental Design and Johnson Carlier. Without their
generous support, the event would not have been possible.
Check out the Town’s Web site at www.queencreek.org
for a photo gallery of the grand opening event as well as other
Town-hosted special events.
Council Member Craig Barnes, Vice Mayor Gail Barney, Council
Member Jeff Brown, Council Member Joyce Hildebrandt, Mayor Art
Sanders, former Mayor Wendy Feldman-Kerr, Council Member Jon
Wootten and Council Member Gordon Mortensen cut the ribbon at the
Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre grand opening on Jan. 17.