January 2018
Relentlessly local coverage of Gilbert and our neighboring communities
Pretty Smart Bird Buddy the therapy parrot listens patiently to Ciaran Tara, 9, during a reading exercise at Southeast Regional Library in Gilbert.
Archery range coming to Freestone Park
Two massive recreation areas being designed for southwest Gilbert
After four years of trying to establish an archery range in Gilbert, Sandra Reynolds has hit her target. The founder of the nonprofit Gilbert Archery has finalized an agreement with the town to transform a nearly 3-acre area of crumbled asphalt in Freestone Park into an archery range. The spot is across the street from Freestone Recreation Center. It will be Gilbert’s first archery range. The 10-lane range will be ready by February and the club will begin offering classes in March through the Gilbert Parks
Gilbert officials are moving along on two floodwater detention projects that will produce two new parks – including a massive recreation area in a part of the town that has long been waiting for a substantial area for play. Gilbert Regional Park, located in the Chandler Heights Basin near the southwest corner of Queen Creek and Higley roads, is still a glimmer in the hearts of residents in a relatively underserved part of the town. There’s still a long time – to July 2019
BY SRIANTHI PERERA
BY SRIANTHI PERERA
and Recreation Department. All equipment will be supplied. “Since our goal is to grow the sport of archery, we are excited to be offering at least 15 free one-hour classes throughout the year so anyone can come out and give archery a try,” said Reynolds, a Gilbert resident. John Kennedy, recreation manager in the town, said it will be a “good-sized” range, not outfitted for large tournaments but suitable for introductory and training see
ARCHERY page 6
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– before they’ll be able to walk on its first blades of grass or lob an inaugural tennis ball. But the design of the massive recreation space is gradually taking shape. Dig Studio will have the plans ready by July, according to town staff, and construction of the first 30-acre phase is to begin thereafter. Along with the regional park, the town also is developing ballfields and other recreational facilities see
RECREATION AREAS page 8
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