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PARKS, RECREATION, OPEN SPACE, AND EVENTS M A R C H 2 0 2 6 N E W S L E T T E R Connecting our community through people, parks, natural areas, and programs. Youth Summit Teen Summit at Hal Jensen Recreation Center Hal Jensen Recreation Center proudly hosted its inaugural Teen Summit—a day designed to inspire teens to connect, reflect, and grow in a positive, supportive environment. The summit featured engaging workshops including mindfulness yoga, guided journaling, and motivational sessions led by special guest speakers. The event kicked off strong with eighteen teens in attendance. While participation tapered as the day went on, the experience provided valuable lessons that will help us strengthen engagement and elevate next year’s summit. We are excited to build on this foundation and continue creating meaningful opportunities for Flagstaff teens. We extend a heartfelt thank‑you to our incredible community partners: Native Americans for Community Action, Northern Arizona University, CAVIAT, Coconino County, Tynkertopia, and the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth. Mental health affirmation stickers PARKS New Park Welcome Signs Parks has been collaborating with the Economic Vitality team to develop new, uniform signage for all city parks. The updated signs will improve accessibility by incorporating QR codes and universal symbols, making park rules clearer and easier for all visitors to understand. New park sign Milling Project at Thorpe Park Little League Fields The Parks team recently completed a milling placement project at the Little League parking lot. This effort was made possible by securing New parking surface and stockpiling approximately 600 cubic yards of millings from last fall’s FUTS Asphalt Repair and Rehabilitation project. A contractor applied the millings to the dirt lot to reduce dust and discourage unsafe vehicle behavior. This improvement has been a long‑standing need, and the Parks team extends appreciation to the FUTS repair crew for their cooperation and support in making it happen. Field work February 2026 Trail Number Counts of Users Ballfield Preparation 8000 The Parks team has been busy 6000 preparing all city athletic fields 4000 for the April 1st season kickoff. Seasonal maintenance included 2000 activating irrigation systems, realigning base pegs, 0 completing clay work around AZT Loop FUTS CCC Hill Bridge Mesa Site East West Trail field areas, laser‑leveling Entrance Buffalo Park Tree Mars 66 66 infields, and managing Foxglenn Mesa Waterbird Sinclair Lone Observatory Cyn Route Route transitions between grass and Buffalo infield surfaces. Their efforts McMillan Picture Cyn ensure user groups receive safe, Picture well‑manicured fields for spring play. Foosball RECREATION Rock climbing Aquaplex Spring Break Camp The Aquaplex Spring Break Camp welcomed eighteen youth for a week of fun—from pool games to hands-on STEAM and arts and crafts activities. With a new structure led by our Recreation Coordinator, Taylor Todd, the camp ran smoothly and offered a great preview of what is ahead for Summer Camps. Hal Jensen Recreation Spring Break Activities Spring Break activities at Hal Jensen Recreation Center were a hit, drawing strong participation throughout the week. Youth enjoyed daily games like whiffleball, dodgeball, kickball, and Ice skating basketball, along with arts and crafts, a Dirty hands from a cooking class, and a movie in the gym. STEAM project Highlights also included field trips to Jay Lively for ice skating, PuttTek for mini golf, and Starlite Lanes for bowling. Bowling Mini-Golf OPEN OPEN SPACE SPACE Archeology and Heritage Awareness Hike at Picture Canyon Open Space hosted a guided Archeology hike at Picture Canyon, in celebration of Arizona Archaeology and Cultural Awareness Month. Volunteer and retired Archaeologist Neil Weintraub did a wonderful job providing information about the archaeological significance of Picture Canyon, as well as more recent history. NAU intern George Wilson helped to wrangle the thirty participants. Tree City USA Recognition The City of Flagstaff has once again been approved by the AZ Department of Forestry & Fire Management to be a Tree City USA for 2026. Although Arbor Archaeology Hike Day nationally and in Phoenix is April 24 th , that is not an ideal time to plant a tree in Flagstaff. Flagstaff will recognize Field Trip at Picture Canyon Arbor Day on August 25 th of each year and Open Space will plan an event to celebrate. Tree City USA Recognition Science Saturday Outdoor Education Highlights Open Space has been busy leading and assisting with a range of programs and events in the community. Girl Scouts Hiking Series: Troops from across Arizona spent three days exploring Open Space sites, earning patches as they learned Leave No Trace, first aid, local archaeology, and survival skills at all three Open Spaces. Flagstaff High School Earth Science: Students joined Open Space staff for a guided hike at Picture Canyon to support their settlement-planning project, focusing on geology, environmental quality, and cultural history. One more trip is planned for April. Aquaplex Spring Day Camp: Open Space led a “Restoration Superheroes” activity where campers created seed balls and learned how they can help restore local habitats. Science Saturday at Willow Bend: Staff hosted an “Awesome Archaeology” booth highlighting Picture Canyon plants and how archaeologists use botanical clues to understand historic sites. Flag High studets at Picture Canyon Spring blooms EVENTS, MARKETING & ATHLETICS Call for Musicians and Food Tucks for the 4 th of July Events and Marketing is in planning mode for summer events including the 4th of July celebration. A call for musicians as well as food trucks is currently open until April 17th. Interested musicians and vendors will need to send an email to SpecialEvents@flagstaffaz.gov. Upcoming Events & Programs Daddy Daughter Ball Saturday April 18 th | 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Hal Jensen Recreation Center Join us for this year’s Daddy Daughter Ball, themed “Tennis Shoes and Tiaras”. All ages and genders are welcome. Come enjoy an evening of dancing, professional photography, crafts, and a delicious dinner. Semi-formal attire is recommended. Tickets at $50/ couple + $20 for each additional person. Register online, at Hal Jensen or the Aquaplex front desk. Aquaplex Summer Camp Select weeks throughout June & July | Monday - Friday | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Ages 5-12 Summer is just around the corner and the Aquaplex is gearing up for some fun filled weeks packed with swimming, games, arts and crafts, and more! Member Price: $120 Non-Member Price: $150 Register Online or at the Aquaplex front desk. Celebrate Trails Day Saturday, April 25 th | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Buffalo Park / McMillan Mesa Join Open Space and High Country Adaprive Sports to celebrate National Trails Day! High Country Adaptive Sports will be doing bike demos followed by a group bike ride around the McMillan Mesa Loop Trail and then a walk around the Nate Avery Loop Trail to learn about and try out the adaptive exercise equipment. Come hang out, meet new trail buddies, and celebrate our beautiful trails in Flagstaff! Glow Night at Hal Jensen Recreation Center Friday, May 1 st | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (Ages 7-11) & 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Ages 12-17) | Hal Jensen Recreation Center We will be turning off the lights and playing games that glow in the dark! Free pizza and drinks provided. FOLLOW FOLLOW US US ON ON SOCIAL SOCIAL MEDIA MEDIA