A MESSAGE FROM MayorThomasL.Schoaf
Our community wrapped up 2024 on several high notes. Your Council is starting 2025 with two new members, Suzanne Allen and Andrew Fraser, joining the seven-person Council. We look forward to the energy and fresh ideas these new members will bring to your City leadership. The continued addition of younger councilmembers demonstrates that our City has a bright future.
Litchfield Square has reached a milestone and is beginning a new chapter. City infrastructure construction will be wrapping up in February 2025. This construction was hampered by COVID, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages and cost increases. The City managed the process to a successful conclusion with a solid beginning to a downtown center that we can all enjoy and be proud of. Spring 2025 will see the start of construction of the first building located on the parcel directly to the north of the park. This will become approximately 40,000 square feet of mixed uses including office, retail and restaurants.
We are in final discussions with developers of the next two parcels, one next to City Hall and one at the north entrance to the square. More information will be available as we complete work with these two developers.
Lastly, we have completed negotiations with the Agua Fria High School District. The District will construct a 700 seat performing arts center and a 400 student arts academy at the south entrance to the La Loma Hilltop. Directly to the north will be the new County library and directly to the west on the hilltop the Litchfield house will be restored by the Historical Society to become the PW Litchfield Heritage Center. Construction will begin in early summer of 2025 with the project opening date scheduled for August 2026. The City will restore the remining land into a park during this construction period. Once completed the hilltop will again be the cultural center of the Southwest Valley.
We are looking forward to a tremendous new year. Please contact me, any Councilmember, or City staff with any questions or concerns.
Litchfield Park Mayor & City Council
ThomasLSchoaf,Mayor tschoaf@litchfieldpark gov
PaulFaith,ViceMayor pfaith@litchfieldpark gov
LisaBrainard-Watson,Council Member lbrainardwatson@litchfieldpark.gov
RonClair,CouncilMember rclair@litchfieldpark gov
JustinJames,CouncilMember jjames@litchfieldpark gov
SuzanneAllen,CouncilMember sallen@litchfieldpark gov
AndrewFraser,CouncilMember afraser@litchfieldpark gov
COUNCIL’S CORNER
WelcomeNewCouncilMembers
RON CLAIR
SUZANNE ALLEN
Suzanne was raised in the West Valley She is a Certified Public Accountant and has worked for the State of Arizona in the General Accounting Office for seven years before leaving to become a Special Agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Phoenix Division. She investigated Securities and Investment Fraud and was the back-up Public Affairs Officer before becoming a liaison between businesses and the FBI as the Private Sector Coordinator After ten years, Suzanne left the FBI to open The Pilot Clinic, a direct primary care and aviation medicine practice with her husband, Dr. Travis Allen, MD. She have lived in Litchfield Park for over 15 years and enjoys their time with their two children
Ron relocated from Dallas, Texas to the West Valley in 2013 with his wife, Anne Shassetz Clair, and his son, Austin Clair. Anne Shassetz is a long time resident of Litchfield Park, and her family has lived here since the 1970's. His son Austin Clair graduated from Millennium High School and attended ASU. Austin was very active in the band at Millennium and ASU, and now lives in Tempe. Ron and Anne remodeled Anne's childhood home and currently live there. He was appointed by the Council in 2019 to fill former Council Member Peter Mahoney's seat and was elected in 2020. Ron was re-elected during the 2024 Primary. His term will expire in January 2029.
ANDR
Andrew Fraser has lived in Litchfield Park since 2019 with his wife Abbie and their three children. He currently serves on the Planning and Zoning commission for the City of Litchfield Park. Professionally, he is employed by the Maricopa Water District as the District Engineer. He received his Doctorate in Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering from Arizona State University in 2016.
A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY MANAGER
I hope you all had safe and happy holidays. 2025 will be an exciting year in Litchfield Park.
2025 will see the completion of the city portion of Litchfield Square and the construction of commercial buildings on multiple parcels. We look forward to the opening of Litchfield Square Park in February 2025.
As planning takes shape for the historic La Loma hilltop, I thank the citizens who attended the January 30th charrette meeting. This meeting gathered public input on citizen hilltop park amenities. We also conducted a social media survey.
2025 will see many city projects begin, most notably the beginnings of the Agua Fria Academy and new city library at the historic hilltop property on Litchfield Road. These projects are scheduled to open to the public in Fall 2026.
I would invite you to attend the annual State of the City event which will be held on Thursday, March 13th at Souers Hall at The Church at Litchfield Park. I wish you and your families a safe and happy New Year.
As always, I welcome any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Matthew C. Williams City Manager City of Litchfield Park mwilliams@litchfieldpark.gov
FINANCE BUDGET UPDATE
Contributor: Paige Peterson, Assistant City Manager and Finance Director
FISCAL YEAR 2025 MIDPOINT
We are halfway through Fiscal Year 2025 which means we are already preparing for the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Budget preparation begins with projecting how much revenue we believe the city will receive, how much the city will spend, and the ending fund balance on June 30, 2025.
For Fiscal Year 2024, revenues are projected to be 3% higher than budget and expenditures are projected to be just under budget. Overall, revenues are projected to exceed expenditures by $3M This is due to a strong local economy, conservative budgeting, and lean efficient city operations. The $3M can be used for one-time capital improvement projects or held in city reserves
The City’s largest revenue source is the local city sales tax which makes up 70% of general fund revenues. The general fund supports city operations such as police, fire, public works and general administration Unlike most cities, Litchfield Park does not have a city property tax, so the City relies heavily on local sales tax to fund essential city services For every $1 spent within the City (or ordered online and delivered to a city address) $.028 comes to the City. Local shopping supports vital city services and local businesses
Moving forward into Fiscal Year 2026, the city remains committed to fiscal conservative budgeting while providing quality essential city services.
Budget meeting dates will be announced in the spring. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend and participate
The above chart shows the city’s revenues sources by type. The above chart shows the city’s expenditures by function.
CityClerkUPDATES
ELECTIONS
Contributor: Terri Roth, MMC, City Clerk
New members of the City Council were elected during the July 30, 2024, Primary Election Candidates Suzanne Allen, Andrew Fraser, and incumbent Ron Clair took their Oath of Office during the January 23, 2025, special meeting The City holds their elections during the fall of even numbered years.
Did you know that in the event of a tie between candidates for any City office, our City Charter allows the flip of a coin to be the decider? Or that a tie vote for any initiative, referendum, or recall measure indicates the failure of that measure? For more fun facts about our Charter, click here.
THERE WILL BE NO JURISDICTIONAL ELECTION THIS MARCH
CALL FOR APPLICANTS
Engaging citizens benefit government and the region and instills a sense of belonging. Here is your opportunity to become involved, knowledgeable, and a part of the process that improves the quality of your life in your City.
The City is seeking applicants for the following advisory boards and commissions to the Council for term year commencing in March 2025:
Design Review Board/Board of Adjustment (DRB/BOA)
Planning & Zoning Commission
Recreation and Public Grounds Commission
Applications are available at City Hall, or can be printed from the City’s website at https://litchfieldpark.gov/96/Become-a-Commissioner. The website includes information regarding meeting times and a list of current members.
Deadline for submittal is Friday, February 28, 2025.
Make the decision today to become involved and discover the rewards of sharing your unique talents and experience with your City.
LitchfieldParkLibrary STATEMENT
Contributor:
Matthew Williams City Manager
At the September 19, 2024, Litchfield Park City Council meeting, the Council voted to partner with Maricopa County to build a new library. The new 10,000 square foot library will be located on Litchfield Road south of the Litchfield/Missouriintersection.Aswiththecurrentlibrary,thenewlibrarywillbeownedandmaintainedbytheCity of Litchfield Park but operated and staffed by the Maricopa County Library District Maricopa County will be providing $5M in funding for the new library project with the tenant improvements to be provided by the Maricopa CountyLibraryDistrict.
The current library facility was built in 1979 and was expanded in 1996 The current library does not meet the needs of the Maricopa County Library District The City understands the importance of this historical facility and will be preserving the current library building to be utilized for other civic purposes. City staff will hold future public meetings to assess civic uses for the existing library building. Some of these civic uses could include a community meeting room, additional recreational programming, children’s programs, book pickup and drop-off, expansion of citypreschool,etc EveryoneisencouragedtoparticipateinplanningthefutureusesonyourCitybuilding
We understand the concerns some citizens have regarding this new facility. However, this library is a county library andservesfarmorecountyresidentsthanCityresidents.Thenewlibraryfacilitywillbe40%larger,havesignificantly expandedcommunityprogramming,largerspace,studyrooms,improvedtechnologyallowingthelibrarytoofferan improvedlevelofservice
Inaddition,thenewlibrarywillbeakeypartoftheplanningandrestorationofthehistoricLaLomahilltopproperty. The City will be restoring the hilltop property and building a new intersection at Litchfield & Brinton and The City pathway system is being reviewed for additional access to the new library Hilltop facilities could include P W d g
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
Contributor: Randy Proch - Planning Director
AGUA FRIA DISTRICT SCHOOL
Litchfield Park is excited to take another step towards the revitalization of the Hilltop with the inclusion of a performing arts high school. Through the Agua Fria Union High School District, the academy is expected to have 400-425 students in all disciplines of arts, music, dance, performance, and production. The campus with feature a 700-seat performing arts center for student performances, community events, and touring acts through
partnerships with local promoters. The proposed campus is in the early stages of design and engineering and will be located at the bottom of the hill, along Litchfield Road.
The rendering included shows the classic Spanish Colonial or Santa Barbara style architecture that is expected within Litchfield Park to ensure a timeless design for generations to come. Parking will also be located at the bottom of the hill, tucked back behind the performing arts center, west of the buildings. The site will be graded to lower the overall area, which will further solidify the hilltop area, and the excavated earth will be moved north of the guest house and office buildings to create a new amenity space and enlarge the hill.
This inclusion advances the original family goals for performance arts, education centers, and cultural activities. Along with the relocated Maricopa County branch library, and proposed P.W. Litchfield Heritage Center Museum, Rancho La Loma is going to look much different two years from now. The City is eager to work with all parties to advance their goals while maintaining the integrity of original vision. These projects along with ongoing landscape cleanup and restoration will all come together nicely.
ADDRESSING PARKING NEEDS IN LITCHFIELD SQUARE
Staff is thrilled to see the number of new proposals being reviewed within Litchfield Square. These upcoming developments create the need to address the designed parking shortage Generally, shopping centers contain fields of parking with asphalt stretching hundreds of feet. The Litchfield Square area contains around 300 parking stalls within the blocks and along Old Litchfield Road. Each developer will be responsible for a large portion of their required number of parking stalls, though today’s office building may become tomorrow’s restaurant, requiring twice as much parking.
To ensure developable land isn’t lost to large parking lots, Staff engaged a parking garage consultant to begin preliminary designs and placement options to address tomorrow’s shortage. These options will all contain the same architectural details that are expected of all new developments within the area and the City is committed to utilize as little space as possible towards parking vehicles Each location has advantages and drawbacks and each will be carefully considered to ensure future success.
While the City does not need, nor plans to, build the parking garage now, should half of the developable land be under construction in the next two years, the City will construct the garage simultaneously to provide the right amount of parking facilities at the right time.
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
Contributor: Randy Proch - Planning Director
BUILDING UPDATES ON LITCHFIELD SQUARE PROPOSALS
The City is expecting Lot 3 and Lot 4 to begin construction this spring. This first phase of Litchfield Square will be a two-story, 40,000 square foot mixed-use development consisting of restaurants, retail, and office space. Currently under review for possible sale and development are Lot 1 and Lot 2, a proposed 30,000 square foot mixed-use development, and Lot 13 and Lot 14, a proposed three-story mixed-use development with 20,000 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor with 20 condo lofts above.
These new proposals are in the early stages of discussion. Through the City’s Request For Proposals (RFP) process, each submittal has passed the 30-day mark for competing applications towards development and possible sale of these lots. The City now begins review of the proposed use and design of the lots, along with the corresponding improvements such as utilities, parking and landscaping for compatibility with the desired outcomes and goals of Litchfield Square.
The City’s portion of the project, including the utilities, roads, signs, landscaping, placemaking, paths, and central park are nearly wrapped up with more roads and amenities being opened weekly. The City is anticipating to be fully completed with all portions of the project by mid-February Our construction will be complete, and these new proposals will be just starting within their lots. Beyond these new projects, even more conversations are occurring for the remaining parcels that will continue to evolve the development towards the original goals for the city center.
ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT
Contributor: Keith Drunasky, PE - City Engineer
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
Dysart & Indian School Road Reconstruction
This project involves the removal and reconstruction of the pavement, curb, gutter, sidewalks, driveways and ramps at the northeast corner of the Dysart Road and Indian School Road intersection.
Construction began on September 16, 2024, and by November 16, 2024, the final course of pavement was installed and the intersection opened back up to full traffic.
Downtown Storm Drain Project, Phase IV & V
Project construction of storm drain improvements was completed December 2023. Work continues with FEMA toward final acceptance of the Letter of Map Revision (LOMR). This will revise flood mapping to remove the floodplain in the area of La Loma and Fairway, including the underpass and a portion of Scout Lodge parcel. We anticipate the latest resubmittal made in early November to be approved by FEMA by January or February 2025.
Camelback Park Parking Lot
Construction plans are 90% complete for a new parking lot at Camelback Park. We anticipate finalizing the plans just after the new year, where we move into construction. The project should be complete in late Spring 2025.
Public Works Facility
The City is designing a new Public Works facility located at the southwest corner of Desert Avenue and Old Litchfield Road to refurbish the current, outdated complex. The project will include removal of the existing structures, installation of new storage, workshop and administrative buildings, as well as new site improvements including parking, access drives, storage structures, etc. The City has developed conceptual site and building layouts and is now working on building elevations. Designs are anticipated to be completed this Spring 2025.
Perimeter Wall Phase VII (Camelback Park) + Turn Lane
The City’s next perimeter wall project is along the frontage of Camelback Park, extending to the west and south as well. The plans are currently being developed for the construction of this wall, which proposes solid walls above 9 feet in height outside of the park limits, with a combination of view and solid wall segments along the park itself. Designs should be completed this Spring 2025 with construction anticipated to start next fiscal year.
Perimeter Wall Phase VI Luchana/La Loma
Final construction plans for this wall segment were completed in early 2024. This wall segment is along the south perimeter of the 3 parcels along the south side of Luchana, west of La Loma Road. The construction phase of this project should occur this Spring or Summer 2025 after it is advertised for contractor bids.
BULLARD WASH CONNECTIONS
The Bullard Wash Connections were recently completed between the Village Phase II subdivision here in Litchfield Park and the Bullard Wash walking path, located within the City of Goodyear. There were 3 connection ramps installed for this project, one at Luna Drive North, one at Aldea Drive North and one at Escondido Drive North These pathways allow the residents of Goodyear and Litchfield Park to freely travel back and forth across City limits lines in a safe and accessible manner. Staff from both Cities worked together to make this project happen. The designs were completed over the summer and construction began in early November. Crews were complete with the task before Thanksgiving, opening the pathways up before the holidays.
SIGN CODE
Contributor: Randy Proch - Planning Director
Staff recently began the process to modernize the requirements for signs located in the City. Due to federal law changes, the City cannot generally regulate the content of signs, but rather the size, design, location, and quantity. With this change, stemming from a Freedom of Speech lawsuit, many changes were needed within the Zoning Code to ensure compliance.
This includes removing all content requirements or restrictions, providing new opportunities within the Public Facilities zoning district (churches, schools, government buildings), and fine-tuning several important issues that have come up recently, including a proposed prohibition against electronic billboards, billboard trucks, or disabled vehicles parked along roadways. Murals, another recent topic of unclarity, would also be considered signs due to the inability to regulate commercial vs. non-commercial speech without looking at the content. For example, a panda eating bamboo painted on a museum might be artwork, but that same image painted on a fast-food establishment would be considered advertising. To ensure fairness and equality, murals fall under sign allowances and restrictions, too. Further refinements include condensing several tables into simpler formats for ease of use and the Comprehensive Sign Programs that govern each shopping center have been added to the City’s website for reference for new businesses. The next step will be to present the amendment to City Council for adoption, then implement these changes in the application forms for future proposals
Litchfield Park
Art & Wine Festival
March 1 & 2
Litchfield Square Park
9am to 5pm daily
Free admission
Spend a perfect spring weekend right here in Litchfield Park at the 27th annual Litchfield Park Art & Wine Festival. This highly anticipated festival takes place on March 1 and 2 from 9am to 5pm.
Festival goers will stroll along city streets surrounding the newly opened Litchfield Square Park and shop for fine art, one-of-a-kind jewelry, and unique artisanal treasures. 150 vendors will be on hand, so you are bound to discover a new favorite artist like painter Jerry Salazar, photographer Bob Gertz, jeweler Sean Berton, and glass artist Jami Goldman
Attendees can also sip on Arizona wines in the wine garden and savor gourmet fare Advance wine tasting tickets available at eventeny.com.
Live jazz and blues music adds to the experience Big Pete Pearson, Arizona’s “King of the Blues”, will be featured on the main stage from 12pm-2pm each day. You won’t want to miss his performances!
SPECIAL EVENTS
ROCK WITH US
Join us on the front lawn of The Wigwam on Sunday, February 2, as we welcome back local favorites Come Back Buddy to this season’s free Arts in the Park concert series The band will be performing from 3pm-5pm that afternoon. Transcend time with music from the fabulous 50's Be there as the band turns back the clock and gets us ready to rock!
RUN WITH US
The Litchfield Park Run presented by WM is on February 22 and offers 10K, 5K, and 1 mile races plus a 1 mile fun. Top 3 male & female finishers in each age group receive medals. Starts/ends outside the library Only $30 per race ($20 for fun run) thru 2/14. All ages and skill levels Register online at runsignup.com or in person at the Rec Center
DANCE WITH US
Don’t miss out on this extremely popular annual Arts in the Park concert! The Thaddeus Rose Band will be performing on the front lawn of The Wigwam on Sunday, March 15, from 3pm-5pm. This variety band wows us with their flawless remakes of iconic cover tunes from some of the best dance rock of all time. Proudly presented by Yates Buick GMC
COMMUNITY NEWS
CITIZENS ACADEMY
first
ever Citizens Leadership Academy. The purpose of this free eight-course community leadership program is for Litchfield Park residents to learn more about how City government operates and to get a behind the scenes look at City departments and learn about their function and purpose.
Classes will be held on the first Wednesday of each month in the Library Community Room from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Orientation begins on February 5, 2025. Graduates will be recognized during the October 2025 City Council Meeting. You must be a city resident and 21 years or older to attend. For additional information, contact us at (623) 935-5033.
CITYWIDE GARAGE SALE
Save the date! On Saturday, April 19, 2025, during the hours of 7am-5pm, the City of Litchfield Park is encouraging a citywide Community Garage Sale. Litchfield Park residents who live within the city limits and wish to participate are encouraged to set up a garage sale at their own homes This is an opportunity to recycle items that you no longer have a use for and that someone else may need For details call 623-935-9040 or visit litchfieldpark.gov for updates.
https://www.litchfieldpark.gov/1613/CityLine-Newsletters
ORANGE TREE PAINTING EVENT
The City of Litchfield Park's Recreation and Public Grounds (RPG) Commission is leading our annual Community Beautification Project to help our Public Works Department paint the trunks of the City's orange trees Painting the tree trunks white each year keeps our city spaces looking clean, fresh, and cohesive This process also helps to protect the trees against sunburn, sudden temperature changes, and certain insects.
We have many orange trees in Litchfield Park, so we are reaching out to residents and local service groups for assistance. Volunteers of all ages can help paint the City’s orange trees on Saturday, March 15, 2025, and/or Sunday, March 16, 2025
Volunteers will meet on the front lawn of Litchfield Park City Hall (214 W Wigwam Blvd.) at 7:30 a.m. to receive paint, supplies, and instructions from our RPG Commissioners. Volunteers will paint until 12:30pm each day. Volunteers will work in teams and will be supervised. Lunch will be provided at the end of each day as a thank you to our volunteers. The first 100 people to sign up as volunteers may also receive a free commemorative tee shirt
If you or your group would like to help with this project, please call 623-935-9040 or email EventOps@litchfieldpark.gov.
FROM LISTENING TO SHARING
Contributor: Chief Memo Espinoza, Avondale Police Department
A word synonymous to policing is listening. From de-escalating fights to intensive post-Miranda interviews, our Avondale Police and Litchfield Park Officers are constantly required to listen. To miss a word may mean to miss a detail that makes all the difference in the decisions Officers make. It’s only when they return to their police vehicles and stations when they take an exhaustive breath. And yet, all our Officers have something valuable to share. Under each badge and patch is a personal history and character. Our very own Avondale Police podcast, Copy 10-10, gives our Officers an opportunity to share what makes them significant and unique.
Each episode of Copy 10-10 features a deep dive into the life of an Avondale Police employee – on and off the beat. We hear about pre-Policing careers in restaurants, the military, or unfulfilling work that prompted a calling to law enforcement. We hear about life saving awards and difficult investigations that have stayed with us. We also laugh about the ridiculous shows we watch and the unhealthy snacks we nibble at in the middle of the night. We talk about what embarrasses us, and more importantly, what makes us proud. At the end of each episode, we feel more connected to the people who serve our community in our greatest times of need.
The initial goal of Copy 10-10 was to share what our officers do for the community. We quickly realized it was more important to share who they are. At times the show is fun and lighthearted and at times it is meaningful and eye-opening. It’s always us – but instead of listening, our officers are sharing. I ask you to take a 10-10 and listen to the people behind the badge.
10-10 is the radio code for a coffee break. Copy 10-10 is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
GOLF CART FIRE PREVENTION
Tanja Tanner, Community Education Coordinator, Goodyear Fire Department Contributor:
Charging golf cart batteries safely and preventing fire hazards require a combination of proper equipment, precautions, and maintenance. Here’s a guide to help you minimize risks:
1. Ensure Proper Ventilation
Avoid confined spaces: Charge the batteries in a well-ventilated area to disperse hydrogen gas, a byproduct of charging that is highly flammable.
Fans or vents: Use fans or ventilation systems to keep air circulating.
2. Inspect Equipment Regularly
Check for damage: Inspect the charger, cords, and battery terminals for wear, cracks, or exposed wires before charging.
Clean terminals: Remove corrosion and ensure connections are secure.
Replace damaged components: Don't attempt to use faulty chargers or connectors.
3. Use the Correct Charger
Manufacturer-approved charger: Use a charger designed for your golf cart’s battery type.
Automatic shutoff: Select chargers with an automatic shutoff feature to prevent overcharging, which generates heat and increases fire risk.
4. Monitor Charging Process
Avoid unattended charging: While modern chargers are safer, it's still better not to leave batteries charging unattended for extended periods and never overnight.
Check for overheating: Feel the battery or charger periodically to ensure neither becomes excessively hot.
5. Follow Safe Charging Practices
Charge on a non-flammable surface: Place the cart or batteries on concrete, metal, or another nonflammable material while charging.
Avoid sparks: Turn off the golf cart and charger before connecting or disconnecting the cables.
6. Battery Maintenance
Water levels: For lead-acid batteries, regularly check and refill water levels to the recommended mark using distilled water.
Replace aging batteries: Older batteries are more prone to overheating and fire risks.
7. Emergency Preparation
Disconnect power: Be prepared to disconnect power immediately if overheating or unusual smells are detected.
Carbon monoxide detectors: ensure that your house and garage have a CO alarm, if your cart has an acid lead battery.
Adhere to these safety practices to significantly reduce the risk of fire while charging golf cart batteries.
PUBLIC WORKS
DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
Contributor:
Kyle Ames - Director of Public Works , Safety & Training Coordinator
This holiday season homes and public spaces around the world were transformed by the sparkle and glow of Christmas decorations. From glistening lights to festive ground decorations and beautifully decorative trees. Christmas décor plays an integral role in creating the magical atmosphere that defines the holiday season. But beyond just being decorative, Christmas decorations carry rich traditions, gathering spots, and an undeniable sense of joy.
You may have noticed that the City of Litchfield Park’s holiday decorations have evolved over the years, carrying out old traditions with newly added styles year after year. From the nostalgic poinsettia stand to the elegant LED Christmas tree at the flagpole in the center of town, the City of Litchfield Park continues to elevate the decorations on our public grounds with photo sections as well. The large red ornament located at City Hall and the beautiful glowing tweedy globe located at the Memorial Lawn gazebo gave our residents and visitors safe and ideal photo opportunities.
Christmas decorations are much more than just aesthetic enhancements, they are an expression of the season's joy, warmth, and togetherness. Whether you prefer traditional, modern, or eclectic décor, the act of decorating for Christmas offered a chance to connect with the past, celebrate the present, and create new memories for the future, not just for our residents, but for our staff as well. So, as the holiday season draws to a close and our Public Works Department starts to put away the public decorations, we encourage you to take one last opportunity to enjoy the festive magic that this year’s Christmas decorations brought to our community.
To staff and City leaders, our enhanced decorations were not just about the visual impact. This was about creating an environment where people feel a sense of belonging and excitement. By engaging with your neighbors and celebrating the diversity of ideas, you helped us make this Christmas season truly special for our community. You gathered with your neighbors, shared those ideas, and made the holiday magic happen!
As we continue to grow our holiday decoration collection and expand our vision of festivities, we encourage residents to share their ideas for the future. Thank you for all the positive comments this year!
P.W. Litchfield Heritage Center
New Exhibit at P.W. Litchfield Heritage Center Traces Key Decade of Change in Black-and-White Photography
Contributor: Lisa Hegarty
Experience the dynamic evolution of the West Valley from 1985 to 1995 at Crossroads of Change, a black-and-white photography exhibit now on display at the P.W. Litchfield Heritage Center. Through the lens of local photojournalist Jim Painter, this exhibit
brings to life a pivotal era when the region transitioned from agricultural heritage to a thriving hub of growth and modernization.
At the heart of this transformation were two groundbreaking developments: The sale of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co ’s vast farmland to SunCor Development Co., and the completion of Interstate 10. These milestones set the stage for an unprecedented wave of urbanization, reshaping the Southwest Valley’s identity forever.
Each section of the exhibit narrates a unique chapter of this decade with glimpses of the region’s agriculture past and an exploration of key economic forces that propelled growth, including Luke Air Force Base, Phoenix Raceway, and PhoenixGoodyear Airport.
But the soul of Crossroads of Change lies in the everyday stories of the West Valley’s people. Vibrant photos of festivals, rodeos, and local pageants celebrate a community at the intersection of tradition and progress
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a photography lover, or simply curious about the West Valley’s roots, this exhibit promises an unforgettable journey through a transformative time.
The P.W. Litchfield Heritage Center is located at 13912 W. Camelback Road in Litchfield Park (northwest corner of Litchfield and Camelback Roads)
Admission is free. For hours of operation and other information visit pwlhc.org/visit.
CITY BOUNDARY MAP
FREQUENTLY REQUESTED NUMBERS
(623) 935-5033 (623) 889-6212 (623) 935-4364 (623) 935-9040 (623) 935-7091 (623) 935-5041 (623) 333-7070 (623) 932-2300 (623) 935-2089 (602) 506-7387 (602) 935-9367 (623) 935-9367 (877) 860-6020 (888) 964-9780 (480) 627-6200 (623) 974-4791 (602) 237-2078 (800) 383-0834 (623) 935-1100 (602) 542-4251 (800) 782-5348 (602) 876-1011 (602) 716-2111