September 2022 - Parks & Recreation - 50

CONFERENCE
2022
ANNUAL
Welcome to the Valley of the Sun!
Explore Phoenix and the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference
By Vitisia Paynich
T
his year, the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference takes place September 20-22 in Phoenix. Nicknamed " The
Valley of the Sun, " Phoenix is located in the Sonoran Desert and earns its moniker from the area's
exceedingly sun-drenched climate and lack of rainfall throughout the year. As the sixth-largest city in the
United States, Phoenix boasts a population of 1.68 million people and welcomes more than 16 million
visitors annually. Most notably, the founders of the city named it Phoenix after the bird " because it had sprung from
the ruins of a former civilization that had vanished in history. As a result, the Phoenix bird became the official city
symbol " (tinyurl.com/yck439cc). Thus, the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference theme " We Rise Up for Parks and
Recreation " complements this year's conference location perfectly.
We invite you to join us and your fellow park and recreation colleagues for a week of high-powered networking,
thought-provoking education, exciting exhibits and just some good old-fashioned fun in the sun! Whether you plan
to arrive early or extend your stay in the city, here are some attractions worth visiting - along with frequently asked
questions that might help make your conference planning a breeze.
Arizona Science Center
Located in downtown Phoenix, this popular attraction
offers daily demonstrations, hosts shows at its
Dorrance Planetarium and boasts a five-story, massive
screen in its IMAX Theater. Check online for a list of
events along with coronavirus (COVID-19) protocols.
Address: 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85004
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
Website: azscience.org
Admission: Adults $21.95, seniors (65+) $19.95,
children (ages 3 to 17) $15.95. *Due to limited daily
capacity, guests are encouraged to purchase tickets in
advance online.
Castles N' Coasters
This venue is perfect for visitors desiring low-key, family
entertainment and for thrill seekers wanting to test
the limits - from miniature golf and arcade games to
a two-loop rollercoaster.
Address: 9445 N. Metro Pkwy. E., Phoenix, AZ 85051
Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Website: castlesncoasters.com
Admission: $7 to $55 passes
Desert Botanical Garden
Spanning 55 acres, this botanical garden features
thousands of species of cactus trees, flowers and
other plant life.
Address: 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy.
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Website: dbg.org
Admission: General admission
$14.95 to $24.95, children
(ages 3 to 17) $14.95, children 3
years and younger free. Guests
are required to purchase tickets
in advance online.
Heard Museum
This art museum presents
the stories of Indigenous
people from a firstperson
perspective, as
well as exhibitions that
showcase the beauty and
vitality of traditional and
contemporary art.
Address: 2301 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday
Website: heard.org
Admission: Online tickets - adults $20, seniors (ages 65+)
$17, students (w/ college ID) $9, children (ages 6 to 17) $9,
children 5 years and younger free. On-site tickets - Adults
$23, seniors (65+) $20, students (w/ college ID) $9, children
(ages 6 to 17) $9, children 5 years and younger free.
50 Parks & Recreation | SEP T EMBER 2 0 22 | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
PHOTO COURTESY OF
RACHEL BIRES
PHOTO COURTESY
OF DESERT
BOTANICAL GARDEN
PHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT PHOENIX/
FERNANDO HERNÁNDEZ

https://tinyurl.com/yck439cc http://www.castlesncoasters.com http://www.azscience.org http://www.dbg.org http://www.heard.org

September 2022 - Parks & Recreation

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