Think of it as Phoenix [1]’s answer to New York’s Central Park, a natural refuge in the middle of the city, where residents can hike, fish, or play a round of golf. Papago Park (625 N. Galvin Pkwy., 602/256-3220, www.phoenix.gov/parks [2], 5 a.m.–11 p.m. daily, free) is one of the city’s great resources, and the large desert sanctuary’s paved trails, small lake, baseball stadium, and softball fields have made it a popular destination, not to mention its museums and cultural attractions like the Phoenix Zoo [3] and Desert Botanical Garden [4].
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/phoenix-scottsdale-sedona/phoenix
[2] http://www.phoenix.gov/parks
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/phoenix-scottsdale-sedona/phoenix/sights/papago-park/phoenix-zoo
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/phoenix-scottsdale-sedona/phoenix/sights/papago-park/desert-botanical-garden