EP September Newsletter and Staus Update

[Kelly Larabee]

Change is the constant; but change for the better is extraordinary. As longtime members of this community can attest, Central Phoenix has never been more vibrant. Despite the backdrop of economic contraction, downtown has new schools and new trains. The elected and civic leaders of Phoenix have taken the principle of good government, hired talented people, and worked alongside the community to focus on a long view. We are all beneficiaries of the investments made by scores of people who believe in progress.

Friends of Encanto Park is one such group that is working for growth, and we hope you will join the effort to help make Encanto Park a world-class destination. Please read Susan Dale’s article about how we started and what we’ve accomplished to-date.

If you need a reminder about how far Encanto Park has come in a short time, please see the aerial views of Encanto Park from 2005. http://wiki.worldflicks.org/encanto_park.html. (Hint – close the photo pop-up window to get the full view. You can also use the arrows to move the image to see your house, and much more.) Encanto Park is now managed by an excellent team from the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department including; Deputy Director of Central Division Ken Vonderscher, Coordinator Ruth Powell, Park Manager Jan Sherwood, and Maintenance Supervisor Dan Peters.

Looking forward, I’m thrilled to report great news about the future of Encanto Park and the process for spending $5,000,000 in public funds that have been allocated for its improvement.

• Master planning will begin July 2010 and take approx 3-6 months with guidance from a community council and user surveys.
• Encanto Park (the plot along Palm Lane and 15th Avenue - between Valley Garden Center and the Rose Garden) will be the site for a new community garden to be created by ASU with $100,000 from the Kellogg Foundation. More plans and information will be available soon.
• New golf screening nets are being installed along Encanto Blvd and on Enchanted Island.
• The train station is repaired and re-opened.
• Trees will be trimmed soon.
• Fifty new trees will be planted in the Fall and fifty more in the Spring, the plan will be drafted by professional Parks Department staff and arborists, incorporating findings from a Shade Study. Encanto Palmcroft resident and noted landscape architect Steve Vollmer will donate time to comment about their placement.
• Flowers and permanent foliage will be planted around the Clubhouse and Norton House this Fall.
• Sport programs begin next week.
• The park has undergone an extensive evaluation to assess current conditions, no MAJOR structural flaws were found and they will share what they have learned with us.
• Red Bridge planning is a work in progress but it’s likely to be saved and rebuilt with support from the Historic Preservation Office and private contributions.
• The Parks Department will get back to us about whether we can advance the Entrada and Fence construction plans with a revised fundraising target and with a 2 phase approach based on actual construction bid costs.
• Drainage control master planning coordination will happen in the future and the impact will be considered during the master planning process. This is the long-term plan that will bring improvements and more challenging terrain for Encanto Golf Course.
• Starting in January, $330,000 will be invested into refurbishing all of Encanto-Palmcroft’s historic street lights and installing new globes that replicate the original designs.

If you are cheered by all these events, and wish to send a message of support, please consider donating your time and/or your tax-deductible money to support the private efforts that are helping to improve Encanto Park. Donations go directly toward constructing a new wrought iron fence along Encanto Blvd and constructing the Encanto Entrada on the vacant land at Encanto Blvd and 8th Avenue.

Friends of Encanto Park
$ 20 + Contributor
$ 100 + Friend
$ 500 + Supporter (permanent recognition for all donors this level and above)
$ 1,000 + Patron
$ 5,000 + Founder
$ 10,000 + Cornerstone
$ 25,000 + Milestone (silhouette engraving for this level and above)
$ 50,000 + Monumental

The permanent recognition will be discreetly made at the Encanto Entrada portal site at 8th Avenue and Encanto Blvd. (see www.FriendsofEncantoPark.com for designs and more details)

All initial donors will be recognized on October 29 at our kick-off event. Please call Susan at 716-9644 or Kelly at 258-1416 for more information.