The proposed South Mountain Freeway moved one step closer to construction on Friday – nearly 30 years after it was originally proposed.

It’s only five miles from downtown Phoenix, but South Mountain Park is another world. It’s the largest city park in the country, with acres of saguaros, hiking trails and wide-open spaces. This time of year, it’s an antidote to city life. Except when it comes to the traffic.

Members of the Gila River Indian Community will vote Tuesday on whether to allow a new freeway to be built on tribal land.  The extension of Loop 202 around South Mountain was proposed more than 25 years ago.  But funding shortfalls and differences over its route have delayed the long-awaited freeway.

This month, Phoenix residents elect a new mayor. We decided it was the perfect time to profile some of the neighborhoods in this unique and sprawling city.