Recreational Opportunities
Aquatic Center
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In addition to the broad range of recreational options like tennis‚ soccer‚ little
league‚ swimming‚ tennis and hiking that are available within The Ranch‚ there are
also an extraordinary number of other options “in the neighborhood."
Perhaps the most prominent is the McDowell Mountain Ranch Aquatic Center on the corner
of Thompson Peak Parkway and McDowell Mountain Ranch Road. This city-run complex
includes a family recreation pool‚ a zero-depth play pool‚ a lap/competition pool‚
a "lazy river‚" and a waterslide. There’s also a bathhouse with locker rooms‚ a
public fitness center and various other amenities.
Next‚ there’s the Gateway to McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The entrance is off Thompson
Peak Parkway and just north of Bell Road and the center serves as the trailhead
for miles of interconnecting paths that crisscross the central preserve. Just to
the west of The Ranch off Bell Road in the vicinity of the TPC golf course is the
Scottsdale Sports Center. This wonderful 71 acre complex accommodates flat field
sports like soccer‚ lacrosse‚ football‚ and rugby. There are a total of 10 fields
and 4 are lighted for night use.
Then there’s the Alltel Ice Den which is also located on Bell Road but in an area
generally referred to as Horseman’s Park. This fabulous skating facility offers
op-tions ranging from open skating to figure skating to hockey. It even serves as
the home field for the Coyotes Curling Club.
And of course‚ there’s the Sanctuary Golf Course on 105th Street and Sheena Drive.
This 6‚624 yard par 71 facility is one of the few golf courses in the country to
have attained the coveted and environmentally progressive Audubon Signature Status.
There are also a number of privately owned businesses offering recreational opportu-nities
in the nearby Horseman’s Park area along Bell Road. Here you can find alter-natives
like rock climbing‚ dance‚ physical fitness clubs and self-defense. Some are loosely
organized into an association known as The Family Zone and their proximity to The
Ranch makes them a major asset.
For more information on recreational opportunities – for every age and ability
– simply click on the web links available.