COMMUNITY
North parcel highlights: • New trails that connect to Skyline Regional Park’s existing network, with more rugged routes for experienced hikers. • A nonmotorized bike skills area for mountain bikers to practice and improve technical skills. • A smaller, low-impact trailhead parking lot that fits the parcel’s remote, natural character. • Rest areas with restrooms, shaded seating and trail information signs. • A new access road that will connect to future Verrado streets and cross a desert wash. • Design elements that aim to maintain scenic views while expanding access. • Trail routes planned to avoid and protect known historic and cultural sites. • Restroom and lighting systems that will use on-site solar power, with potential for utility connections later.
South parcel expansion The South Parcel is expected to be the more developed site, partly to replace a popular temporary trailhead, the Lost Creek trail, that was recently closed due to new residential development. The expansion would help ease parking shortages that have frustrated visitors at the Watson Road trailhead, especially during peak seasons, according to the BLM report. “This popular trailhead was removed in 2024 to accommodate Verrado’s next phase of development, leaving the nearest visitor parking access to Skyline Regional Park via the subject parcels more than a mile away at either Meck Park, a trailhead farther north of Meck Park, and the Watson Road Trailhead, all of which are already providing other recreational parking demands," the plan states.
South parcel highlights: • A larger trailhead parking lot designed to handle more vehicles and replace the Lost Creek trailhead that closed for new housing. • Barrier-free, ADA-accessible trails for visitors with limited mobility. • Rest areas with modern restrooms, shaded seating, picnic tables and interpretive signage. • A new access road that will connect to an extended Lost Creek Drive, designed to minimize impacts on nearby homes. • Drainage and wash crossings designed to protect desert habitats. • Shaded gathering spaces that could host ranger-led programs and community events. Q&A WITH JIM PALMER VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS WITH THE ASTRONOMY ASSOCIATION OF ARIZONA. HE AND VICKI PALMER RUN REGULAR STARGAZING PROGRAMS AT THE PARK. FIND MORE INFORMATION AT THE CITY’S PARKS AND RECREATION WEBSITE. What do you enjoy about leading programs at the park? It provides a venue to share the night sky with families & provide information concerning astronomy & space exploration. What makes the park an ideal setting for your programs? Skyline Park is a beautiful park that provides an open sky to view the planets, stars, & galaxies; & the mountain to the east shields some of the bright lights of Phoenix metro making it a great place to view the skies. What's your background, interest or qualifications to lead your programs? My background includes technical & managerial roles in telecommunications & aerospace. I've been doing astronomy outreach for 35 years; starting out doing the Grand Canyon Star Party in 1990. Do you have a favorite program that you teach? Anything related to astronomy; including the astronomy outreach, technical support on telescopes equipment, & relaying any information we can on space exploration.
Park. The remaining lands surrounding Skyline Regional Park are state, private, military and county owned. According to Bureau of Land Management records, bike riders will find surface track materials that could include concrete, asphalt, native dirt treated to control dust and exposed rocky outcroppings. Challenge elements may feature jumps, balance skinnies and wall rides. Trails and obstacles would be arranged to leave large areas of natural desert vegetation intact, helping preserve the setting’s character. As previously reported, shaded seating areas may be added for riders to rest and for spectators to watch. The city’s ranger staff would inspect the site regularly and block off any unauthorized wildcat trails with boulders or vegetation to limit damage to the landscape.
The new facilities are intended to “enhance the public’s opportunity for quality recreational experiences” while protecting sensitive desert habitats and cultural resources, the BLM report states.
• Landscaping and construction plans that include measures to limit invasive species and protect local wildlife. • Facilities powered by on-site solar systems, with the option to connect to local utilities in the future.
Q&A WITH MICHAEL ALVAREZ OUTDOOR RECREATION DIRECTOR, CITY OF BUCKEYE What do you enjoy about leading programs at the park?
with many of the trails, which has helped me feel confident leading outdoor programs. Combining my teaching background with my personal interest in the park allows me to create programs that are both educational and engaging for participants. Do you have a favorite program that you teach? My favorite program to teach is the 24-Hour Desert Survival class. It brings in a wide range of participants, from kids to adults, and there’s always something new for everyone to learn. We often host Girl Scout troops who use the class to build and test their skills, which adds a really fun and motivated group dynamic. What I enjoy most is how hands-on the class is. Participants are fully engaged in the activities, especially when it comes to building shelters. It’s always great to see their creativity come out during that portion, everyone is laughing, working together, and having a genuinely good time while learning practical skills.
Jim Palmer welcomes visitors to view the night sky at Skyline Regional Park.
Q&A WITH ARYELLE REYNOLDS PARK PROGRAMMER, CITY OF BUCKEYE What do you enjoy about leading programs at the park? What I enjoy most about teaching at Skyline Regional Park is how open but personal it feels. A lot of our programs happen either on the trails or in a campsite and it's an open space, but when it is you and your group you kind of feel like it is just you and the group. What makes the park an ideal setting for these programs? The park is an ideal setting for all of our programs because it's hands-on
experience in an area that could easily be applicable. For example, the 24-Hour Desert Survival gives guests an idea of what an actual survival situation may look like. Each class is tailored to the park which also enhances the reason why the park is the perfect place. What's your background, interest or qualifications to lead your programs? My background is largely based in working at Christian Camps and running a class or a program during my time at the three camps I worked over the course of almost 4 years. I started up a guided hike program at one of the camps and I was able to do that because of leading and
guiding hikes and teaching different classes.
I enjoy spending time connecting with the
Do you have a favorite program that you teach? The program I really love teaching is Archery because it actually holds a deeper meaning for me than one might think. One of the classes I taught at the first camp I worked at, Prescott Pines, was Archery and I also remember being a camper at PPC and participating in Archery. The fact that I can teach Archery here and teach people whose shoes I was once in is really special to me because it reminds me of the good times I had at PPC before it shut down the year I was working there.
community. Many people who attend our classes and events have never visited Skyline Regional Park before, so it’s rewarding to welcome them and introduce them to everything we have to offer. I also appreciate the opportunity to help people feel more comfortable in an outdoor setting, many can be a little hesitant at first, and being able to ease those concerns and create a welcoming, positive experience makes the work especially meaningful. What makes the park an ideal setting for these programs? The park provides an ideal setting for these programs because many of them are nature-based, and being outdoors enhances the overall experience. Programs like
Michael Alvarez leads a class of youngters through an educational program at Skyline Regional Park.
What's your background, interest or qualifications to lead your programs? I was an elementary school teacher for seven years, which gave me a strong foundation in engaging audiences, managing groups, and structuring lessons to be both effective and enjoyable. That experience has translated well into leading programs, as I’m able to adapt to different learning styles and create a positive, interactive environment. I was also an avid visitor of Skyline Regional Park before working for the city. Having spent a lot of time hiking there, I was already familiar
Venomous Creatures are designed to teach participants how to safely coexist with wildlife, and being in a natural environment makes those lessons more real and impactful. Additionally, our field trip programs are influenced by the indigenous tribes, such as the Hohokam, who once lived in this area. Being able to host these programs in a setting that reflects that history allows for a more immersive, hands-on experience. It gives participants a stronger connection to the lessons and makes the learning more engaging and meaningful.
InBuckeye.com | May/June 2026
May/June 2026 | InBuckeye.com
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