McDowell Park Association
McDowell Park Association
P.O. Box 18613
Fountain Hills, AZ 85269
You have reached the web site of the McDowell Park Association.

Welcome. Come on in.

If you are not already a member, check us out and think about joining us by clicking on the "Membership Application" link on the left. Membership is only $15/$20 family.

If you enjoy the plants, animals and scenery of the McDowell Park, click on the link for our "Photo Album". Scroll down this page to find links to several new pages of wildflower photos showing the fantastic display during Wildflower Season, 2005.

If you're a frequent park user, think about an annual pass. A bargain at $75 ($65 seniors), a pass admits you and a car-load of friends at McDowell Park and all other county parks except Lake Pleasant. Click here for a pass application (in Microsoft Word) Annual Pass Application

What is the McDowell Park Association?

The McDowell Park Association (MPA) is a volunteer organization - citizens promoting the preservation of the McDowell Mountain Regional Park and adjacent mountain and desert areas.

The McDowell Park Association desires to preserve the natural attributes of the McDowell Mountain Regional Park. We also work to maintain the integrity and boundaries of the Park, while encouraging and protecting its values for scientific, educational and recreational experiences.

We further desire to preserve the McDowell Mountains in a natural state and to protect areas within and adjacent to the McDowell Mountain Regional Park from activities or actions that would adversely impact the Park or the McDowell Mountains.

Join and help us acheive these goals!


The Roadrunner - Geococcyx californianus


MEETING NEWS

ASSOCIATION EVENTS
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Wed., April 23, 2008
General Membership Meeting
7:00 – Fountain Hills Community Center

Speaker: Teresa Retterbush. She is the East Side Supervisor of the County’s Park system.

She will present some interesting observations on our Park and what’s coming in the future.

Wildflowers 2008 - more photos coming soon © Ralph Donnelly
© John McNeill
© John McNeill

This has been the best year for wildflowers since 2005. Late 2007 rains, followed by cool weather and more rain in early 2008 have resulted in a profusion of blooms. Come out to the park and see nature's bounty.

Wildflowers 2005
2005 was a great year for wildflowers! Some flowers were already starting to bloom in late January. With continued rains later, 2005 became one of the best years for wildflowers in quite a while.


Click here for 2005 Wildflowers - 02/20/2005 , here for Week 2 - 02/26/2005 and 02/28/05 , here for Week 3, 03/05/05 , Week 4, 03/13/05 , Week 5, 03/19 & 20/2005 and 03/26/05

About McDowell Mountain Regional Park
McDowell Mountain Regional Park is named after Civil War General Irwin McDowell, whose name was earlier given to a nearby army camp and the mountains that rise at the west side of the park. In 1865, Camp McDowell was founded on the west bank of the Verde River. Ir remained a permanent military post until 1890, the only fort inside the present boundaries of Maricopa County. Remains of the fort exist in present-day Fort McDowell village, just southeast of McDowell Park. The presence of Camp McDowell and its protection helped make settlement in the Salt River Valley permanent. In 1871, Maricopa County was created to help serve the needs of the growing population.

In 1944, discussions started regarding establishing a County Park system. By 1945 certain land purchases and leases had been completed. An 18,273 acreage for McDowell Park was first leased in 1958, and patented in 1964. This has been expanded to encompass 21,099 acres. One of the largest in the Maricopa County Parks System, McDowell Mountain Regional Park also rates as one of the most scenic with majestic mountain views.

In late summer 1995, the McDowell Park received a tremendous insult from the "Rio Fire". The Rio Fire blacked 14,000 acres within the park, destroying countless plants and wildlife, including the stately Saguaro Cactus which lives more than 200 years (a 5 armed Saguaro is approximately 200 years old - larger ones even older!) or the Ocotillo , which can live 80 to 100 years. Obviously these species will not be replaced in our lifetimes. However, the vegetation in the park, despite years of drought since 1995, has shown the amazing resilience of the Sonoran Desert. While the effects of the fire are still obvious in places, the desert has shown an amazing (and inspiring) ability to renew itself.

For more, including an amazing aerial photo and photos of the destruction caused by the fire, click on "The Rio Fire". An interesting piece regarding the unnatural fire risks caused by the proliferation of non-native grasses is here


In more recent years the popularity of the park has grown with the addition of competitive biking trails, used primarily by mountain bikers, and other park improvements Other trails are used by a combination of hikers, bikers and horse riders, with some hiking-only trails.

There is a large developed campground (fee), a group camping area and picnic facilities. A visitors center was recently installed.

There is a lot to do and see at our favorite park!


The Mountains
McDowell Park offers beautiful views of the mountains surrounding the park. Here is a photo of Four Peaks with winter snow on top.

click here for full size photo © Michael L Maggio



© Tom Abdali

A McDowell Mountains sunset
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