Phoenix celebrated the 100th birthday of South Mountain Park and Preserve on Friday.
In 1924, the city purchased 13,000 acres of land. Today, at more than 16,000 acres, South Mountain Park is one of the largest municipally managed parks in the nation.
At the centennial celebration, Mayor Kate Gallego helped cut the ribbon on the newly renovated visitor center. She said she and so many others have treasured memories along the park’s trails.
“I also have so many traditions with my family, including an annual hike with my son to Fat Man’s Pass," Gallego said. "So we have a picture every year with him ‘getting stuck’ in Fat Man’s Pass. A 2-year-old can’t really get stuck in Fat Man’s Pass, but he did his best he could.”
Park employees also took photos of the event with polaroid cameras. Those photos will be put in a time capsule, jumpstarting what they hope will be another 100-year stewardship at South Mountain.
“It’s an educational resource for so many of the city’s children, residents and the 3 million visitors that come to South Mountain each year," Gallego said.
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