More than 30 years ago Phoenix protected 7,100 acres of open space along the city?EUR??,,????'???s northern edge by adopting the ?EUR??,,????'??Open Space Plan for Phoenix Mountains.?EUR??,,????'?? The APA says the city?EUR??,,????'???s foresight has been a model for similar efforts by other metropolitan areas.

?EUR??,,????'??There are many ways planners can help create communities of lasting value,?EUR??,,????'?? said 2008 National Planning Awards Jury Chairperson Carol Rhea, AICP, ?EUR??,,????'??APA is particularly proud to recognize the extraordinary vision and success of the planners involved in distinguishing and protecting open space in the Phoenix mountains.?EUR??,,????'??

Because protecting open space in Phoenix in the 1970?EUR??,,????'???s was unprecedented, it was necessary to enact state legislation to allow the land acquisitions and to secure the funds to acquire the land. At the time, no community in Arizona could use bond funds to purchase open space. The Phoenix Mountain Preservation Commission and the city worked with the state legislature to amend state law to allow bonds for open space, the mechanism that eventually paid $70 million for 7,500 acres, including Shaw Butte, Northern Mountain and Dreamy Draw Recreation Area. An environmental education center opened in 2006. The area attracts 1.5 million visitors annually and more than 500,000 hikers to it?EUR??,,????'???s summit trails.