Outdoor Facility Evaluation
Prospectors Park
Apache Junction, Arizona
By
Jennifer Rosentreter
PRM423
1. General Information
a. Prospectors Park located on 2400 block of N. Idaho Road north of Lost Dutchman
Boulevard..
b. Managed by the Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Department
c. Park Superintendent: Nick Blake, Park Facility Supervisors: Keith Graves and Jo
Ornellas can be reached at 480 983 2181
d. Initial construction of the park was in 1984 with several upgrades and additions
through the years
e. Park consists of 270 acres
f. There is no camping allowed on premises
g. Park is leased from the Bureau of Land Management. Approximately 50% of
financing was through the Heritage Fund grant money. Other 50% was financed through
the city’s general fund.
2. Site Selection
a. Topography: Majority of the park is level or with minimal grades. In the surrounding
areas of the playgrounds are hills. Around baseball fields there is a four foot sloping
hill bordering the fields. Most of the facilities, playground, baseball, picnic sites, etc.
are slightly elevated from ground level. The entire park is centered around an
drainage channel that is fed from water run off.
b. Winds and natural barriers: That particular day winds were out of the west. Hills
within the park enhanced activities. Hills added landscaping design and children
played by hiding around bends and biking over the hills. Ample trees on the property
for shade as well as to reduce the wind in some areas. Trees did not inhibit recreation.
c. Hydrology: No water was present at the park. Patterns of water drainage are
emphasized in the design of natural landscapes. Facilities built in order for the water
to flow towards the center (drainage gully) and out.
d. Annual Climate: Annual Precipitation was 12- 13 inches with most rainfall in the
winter and summer.
Jan
Rain 1.9
Hi (F) 65.3
Lo(F) 39.6
Feb
1.3
69.4
42.1
Mar April May June July Aug Sep
Oct
1.9
.8
.1
.1
.9
1.3
.1
.2
73.2 81.9 91.2 101.5 104.9 102.6 97.2
87.3
45.0 51.1 59.0 67.6 74.8 73.6 68.5 58.5
Nov
1.7
74.5
47.3
Dec
3.9
65.7
40.8
e. User access: Entrance road and parking lots surround the exterior of the park.
Sidewalks formed through the major access points through the park and at times
outlining the exterior. Two picnic sites and the bleachers to football were
inaccessible through paved sidewalks. Baseball field paths were not paved but
provided a solid compressed dirt path accessible by wheelchairs. Cement paths were
used by both pedestrians and bike riders. Also saw kids biking over hills and in the
grass as well as down stairs.
f. Accessibility: Although the park meets minimal ADA requirements, the construction
did not completely focus on the needs of wheelchairs possibly due to the date of
initial construction in 1984. Seven out of the eleven picnic sites did have paved
surfaces to them but once arrived at those sites it was difficult for one to maneuver
about in the area. Tennis courts and basketball courts were accessible through paved
ramps. Water fountains, restrooms and grills were also wheelchair accessible.
Bathroom signage was white on brown to increase visibility but there was no Braille.
Other signage was the park rules white on blue background. Bleachers and play
equipment were inaccessible.
g. Orientation: Surrounding areas of the park were dense desert vegetation limiting
wind. Speaking with park users they stated that the lower parts of the park became
very cool at night thus increasing its popularity in the summer nights. Basketball,
tennis and volleyball courts faced north and south thus reducing blindness from the
sun during morning and evening sun positions. Spectator areas were mostly facing
north. Football bleachers faced east as to enhance the visibility of the entire park.
h. Environmental Concerns: The Park is located out of town approximately two miles.
It is surrounded by Superstition and Usery Mountain areas. The views were
spectacular in every direction. Air quality and sound was also good because it is out
of town and out of the path to get to town. The dense vegetation and grass reduced
dust.
i. Vandalism: Minor vandalism occurred in the park once every two to four weeks and
includes breaking of sprinkler heads and tree branches, graffiti on the restrooms,
breaking restroom vents to get into facility and driving on the lawn. Major vandalism
occurred every two to three years which includes theft or vandalism of maintenance
equipment. Recently two Gator vehicles were stolen and in the past they have had a
$3,000 pressure washer disappear over night. They have installed gates at the
entrances that have reduced the night vandalism.
3. Support Facilities
a. Bathrooms: There are two sets of flush bathrooms, each consisting of three stalls (12
stalls total).
b. Maintenance Buildings: Maintenance areas are enclosed by a 200 ft x 150 ft block
fence. There are two maintenance buildings measured at 25’ x 75’. The building
support all landscaping and maintenance equipment for the park, park vehicles,
blowers, pruning tools, etc.
c. Concessions: Concession area was constructed in 1984 and is 600 square feet which
supplies basic snacks and drinks. The facility is used during the softball programs.
d. Interpretive: There are no informational buildings, kiosks, amphitheaters or visitor
centers.
e. Entrance or Gate: The park is free of charge and there is no entrance station or
gatehouse. The entrance is nicely landscaped around the sign Prospector’s Park
entrance structure. Gate is closed from 10:30p.m. to sunrise.
4. Traffic Circulation
a. Congested areas: Participants could potentially be crowded near the baseball fields
If all the fields were being occupied parking would be tight. Other areas were very
large and accommodated large groups.
b. Flow relationships: Width of the roadway is 25 feet and covers the area surrounding
the park. Clearance is infinity- nothing obstructs the views, access or egress. Paved
sidewalks are three feet wide intertwined through the park. Trees and other vegetation
have been planted or otherwise trimmed to provide at minimum of three feet clearance
from walkways. There is an equestrian trail which is also used for ATVs located on the
perimeter of areas. These paths are three to six feet in width. Most clearance within
these areas is insurmountable with a minimum of 5 feet clearance. Pedestrian traffic is
not limited to side walks. Pedestrians take the convenience of taking the short cut and
make a straight shot to the desired location.
5. Control Systems
a. Surface: Roadways are paved with blacktop and gravel. Sidewalks are cement while
most were formed through the grass. Some sidewalks were compressed dirt. Horse
and ATV paths were a sand/gravel mixture.
b. Signage is limited. Park rules were located at the two entrance points. They were
steel posts and steel plate signs. Similar to road signage. Women and Men restroom
signs were painted on the door. Baseball field signs were also heavy duty steel with
black on white writing to indicate field.
c. Lighting: Baseball fields had metal halide lighting. In parking areas and throughout
the park they used high pressure sodium lights which produce an orange color.
d. Barriers: Curbs were used to decrease people driving off paved lots. Gates were also
placed at the two entrances to reduce vandalism after closing. Gravel/sand mixture
on ATV and horse paths made barriers to bikers because of the depth and sinking of
impact. Racquetball, tennis, baseball was fenced or blocked wall to decrease traffic
and increase usability.
e. Fencing: Seven foot chain link surrounded all four baseball fields. Tennis courts
were also surrounded by a 10 foot chain link fence. Cement walls surrounded the
racquetball courts.
f. Utilities: Two pay phones at the park, one located at each set of restrooms. There are
electrical outlets at all the armadas. Water fountains by playgrounds, concessions,
and racquetball courts. Water spickets were on property but you needed a park
employee with a silcock key in order to open the valve.
6. Environmental
a. Soils/Rock: Granite rock/ soil mixture along the exterior where desert surrounds as
well as the drainage areas mixed with river rock as well. Large amounts of the land
were grass turf. Sand in playground areas for easy drainage and impact.
b. Turf: Dominate turf was bramuda grass which seeded with rye in the summer. Small
areas of the park were sod.
c. Trees/ Scrubs: Prospectors Park had the widest variety of plants that I have ever seen
at a city park, plus a large amount of them were native. Trees included Cisco,
Mesquite, Palo Bream Palo Verde, Little Leaf Palo Verde, Acacia, Ironwoods and
Texas Mountain Laurels. Scrubs consisted of Texas Rangers (sage), bursage,
creosote, Bird of Paradise. Other vegetation consisted of lantanas, desert marigolds,
milkweed vine, saguaros, chollas
d. Animal Inventory: While visiting in the evening I heard a chorus of coyotes howling
and barking. During the day I found round tailed ground squirrels, cactus wrens,
cardinals, curved billed thrashers, and one whiptail lizard. I like this park because
they make it safe for kids by removing cacti and other potentially harmful vegetation
from immediate play areas but continuing to support native vegetation in those areas.
On the same note they support the other native vegetation in areas that kids would be
less likely to be playing around. This promotes the health, protection and longetivity
of fauna.
7. Maintenance
a. The park is mowed once a week. Painting is done on an as needed basis usually
every three years unless in is graffiti. Majority of pruning is done once a month.
Pruning is also ongoing to decrease the potential risk of injury from low hanging
branches.
8. Additional Information
a. Only problem that I thought could be a daily issue was the hills around the play areas
that could reduce an adults sight lines.
9. Summary
Prospectors Park meets current demands because of its large size in a growing area. The
variety of activities and scenarios to choose from also increases its value. There is
something for everyone in the family. Although it is in demand and very popular the
park is deficient in accessibility. There were several areas that one was either made to go
out of the way or sit far away from the action and others.
References:
Climate Data for 33 N 111W. Retrieved on March 7, 2002 from
http://www.worldclimate.com/cgi-bin/grid.pl?gr=N33W111