USERY MOUNTAIN REGIONAL PARK MONTHLY PROGRAMS PARK HOURS: Sunday Thursday: 6 a.m. 8 p.m. Friday Saturday: 6 a.m. 10 p.m. 365 days a year NATURE CENTER HOURS: Summer (5/09-10/09) Monday thru Saturday: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sunday: Closed Winter (10/10-5/08) Sunday thru Saturday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. ADMIN. OFFICE HOURS: Monday Friday: 8 a.m. 4 p.m. PARK FEES: $6 vehicle day-use entry fee (no additional fees for programs, unless otherwise noted) DIRECTIONS: From central Phoenix, I-10 east to US 60 east. Exit Ellsworth Road north to the Usery Mountain Regional Park entrance. Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Dept. Usery Mountain Regional Park 3939 N. Usery Pass Road Mesa, AZ 85207 Ph: 480-984-0032 Fax: 480-357-1545 userypark@mail.maricopa.gov MARCH, 2018 FEATURED PROGRAMS Movie Night in the Park: The Living Desert Date: 3/9/2018 Time: 7 p.m. Description: Come see the best film ever made about our desert animals! All ages will love this exciting movie on the big screen inside our Nature You will see desert animals do things you never thought possible like scorpions dancing! This real-life Disney movie is both educational and highly entertaining. Laughter is guaranteed! As a bonus, watch us feed our snakes after the movie. Feel free to bring snacks and drinks with you (no glass bottles), otherwise, concessions are available. All About Rattlesnakes Date: 3/16/2018 Time: 6 p.m. Description: How dangerous are rattlesnakes? What should you do if you encounter one? How do they survive and thrive in our desert? Discover the this exciting one-hour presentation! Join us inside our Nature as Ranger B shares amazing facts about these misunderstood reptiles. Watch us feed our snakes after the program inside our Nature at 7pm. Then join our Animal Flashlight Walk at 7:30pm at no extra cost! Strange and Silly Saguaros Date: 3/23/2018 Time: 7 p.m. Description: When it comes to desert plants, saguaros are everybody s favorite! Like people, each one of them is unique. They even make us laugh! Ranger B has taken photos of some of the most strange and silly saguaros found in Arizona. What makes them look the way they do with all those twists and turns? Join us for this entertaining and educational PowerPoint presentation and explore the special world of these amazing desert giants. As a bonus, watch us feed our snakes after the program. Location: Nature Hiker s Choice Full Moon Hike & Campfire Date: 3/30/2018 Time: 7 p.m. Description: Here s your chance to experience the desert under the glowing light of the full moon! We ll offer both a self-guided and a guided hike the choice is yours! Afterwards, we ll enjoy the toasty flames of a campfire and a free marshmallow roast. Bring your flashlight, water, and closed-toe shoes for this 2-mile desert adventure. No pets, please. Location: Trailhead
MONTHLY EVENTS Date: 3/1/2018 Time: 8 a.m. Birding Meetup Date: 3/1/2018 Time: 9 a.m. Description: Interested in meeting other birders and heading out together in search of birds? Come to Usery Park for a birding adventure with like-minded people. Please bring binoculars, water, and closed-toe shoes. Meet at the Nature Kid s Storytime Funtime Date: 3/1/2018 Time: 10:30 a.m. Description: Kids (including parents and caregivers) will learn about our desert through a fun story, game, and a short outdoor experience. Feel free to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy after the program at one of the playgrounds in our park. Suggested for ages 3-6. Location: Nature Sonoran Stroll Date: 3/2/2018 Time: 8 a.m. Description: Enjoy this casual 1-2 mile stroll in our beautiful Sonoran Desert with our Park Ranger, Ranger B. Please bring water and closed-toe shoes. Location: Trailhead Homeschool: Rock n Kids Date: 3/2/2018 Time: 10 a.m. Description: Kids, do you like rocks? Want to find out the names of different rocks? Want to discover what they are made of and how they were made? Come to Usery Park and find out! You ll discover some cool things about the rocks you can find here in Arizona. This indoor program is designed for kids ages 7 and up. Location: Nature Core: Geology Wag n Walk Dog Adoption Hike Date: 3/3/2018 Time: 9 a.m. Description: Don t have a dog? No problem! Maricopa County s Animal Care & Control and Parks and Recreation Departments have united to bring you this program. You can test drive potential canine hiking partners to see how they behave on leash and get along with other dogs, while learning about trail etiquette and safety. Owned, friendly, leashed dogs that are at least six months old and current on their vaccinations are welcome to join this one-mile trek on our scenic, groomed, Merkle Trail. Please bring water, closed-toe shoes, and an open heart for a possible new best friend, or two. This program will be held on the first Saturday of each month from October through April. Sonoran Desert 101 Date: 3/3/2018 Time: 9:30 a.m. Description: Join us for this introduction to some of the fascinating animals and plants of our Sonoran Desert as we enjoy a scenic stroll along the quarter-mile Desert Hawk Trail. Please bring water and Archery 101 Date: 3/3/2018 Time: 10 a.m. Description: Interested in archery? Curious about how to shoot a bow? Come to Usery Park and find out! You will discover how fun archery really is! Participants will experience a fun and safe introduction to recreational and international-style target archery. Equipment will be provided. This class is open to anyone ages 8 and up. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring water and closed-toe shoes. Meet at the Archery Range. No registration just show up and have some fun! Beginning Desert Hiking Date: 3/4/2018 Time: 9 a.m. Description: Interested in learning how to hike in the desert? This easy hike on a level one-mile scenic trail will introduce you to the fun world of desert hiking! We ll cover what to carry, what to wear, and how to hike safely in the desert. Wild for Wildflowers! Date: 3/4/2018 Time: 2 p.m. Description: Wild for wildflowers? This spring should reward us with an explosion of colorful wildflowers! Join us for this casual stroll along our scenic one-mile Merkle Trail in search of these desert delights. You will learn about our local wildflowers and be awed by the beauty of our desert! Outdoor Gym Basics Date: 3/6/2018 Time: 9 a.m. Description: Learn how to use the fitness equipment at our new outdoor gym here in Usery Park. Discover circuit training and how to work your different muscle groups. Please bring water and closed-toe shoes. Meet at the outdoor gym. Wild for Wildflowers! Date: 3/7/2018 Time: 2 p.m. Description: Wild for wildflowers? This spring should reward us with an explosion of colorful wildflowers! Join us for this casual stroll along our scenic one-mile Merkle Trail in search of these desert delights. You will learn about our local wildflowers and be awed by the beauty of our desert! Date: 3/8/2018 Time: 8 a.m. Meandering the Merkle Date: 3/8/2012 Time: 9 a.m. Description: You never know what you re going to find out in our desert! Join desert aficionado, Susan Peters, on this 1-mile/1-hour stroll along the Merkle Trail in search of desert plants, animals, and whatever else interests you. The Merkle Trail accommodates wheelchairs and strollers. Please bring your questions, water, and closed-toe shoes. Location: Area 6. Kid s Desert Discovery Date: 3/8/2018 Time: 10:30 a.m. Description: Kids will love this easy walk as they discover new things about
our desert! We never know what we re going to find out there but we ll have fun along the way! Suggested for ages 3-6. This trail accommodates strollers and wheelchairs. Please bring water and closed-toe shoes. Meet at Area 6. Home School: Skins and Skulls Date: 3/9/2018 Time: 10 a.m. Description: Can you identify our desert animals by their skull, skin, and tracks? Join us for this hands-on learning experience as we discover how to identify our amazing desert animals. Pack a lunch to eat at one of our many picnic sites following the program. You can then enjoy some time exploring the park on your own! Note: Suggested for ages 7-12 with an adult. Please wear closed-toe shoes for the outdoor portion of this program. No registration - just show up and have some fun! Location: Nature. Movie Night in the Park: The Living Desert Date: 3/9/2018 Time: 7 p.m. Description: Come see the best film ever made about our desert animals! All ages will love this exciting movie on the big screen inside our Nature You will see desert animals do things you never thought possible like scorpions dancing! This real-life Disney movie is both educational and highly entertaining. Laughter is guaranteed! As a bonus, watch us feed our snakes after the movie. Feel free to bring snacks and drinks with you (no glass bottles), otherwise, concessions are available. Find the Ranger on the Wind Cave Trail Description: Hike the Wind Cave Trail and find our park ranger! This fun hike is challenging and gives great views of the Valley along the way! Ranger B will be somewhere along the trail to answer any questions you have about the park, desert animals, and desert plants. Anytime between 9am-11am. Archery 202 Description: For those who completed our Archery 101 class, this class will take you to the next level! Participants will learn about field target archery, discover how to improve their accuracy, and enjoy some friendly competition. Equipment will be provided. Participants must be graduates of our Archery 101 class. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring water, hats, and closed-toe shoes. Meet at the Archery Range. No registration just show up and have some fun! The Geology of the East Valley Description: Ever wonder about the fascinating mountains and rock formations in our area? Join geology professor, A. J. Lombard, as he shares a wealth of information about the geology of the East Valley on this 1-mile interactive walk. Bring your curiosities and questions to Usery Park and discover lots of amazing things about our local geology! The Merkle Trail offers universal access and the hard-smooth surface of this trail accommodates wheelchairs and strollers. Core: Geology 100 Miles in 100 Days Celebration Date: 3/10/2018 Time: 2:30 p.m. Description: For all participants who completed the 100 Miles in 100 Days challenge, this is your day! Join us inside our Nature as we celebrate your accomplishment! A free limited edition tee-shirt will be given to each person who completed this challenge (the deadline was February 8 prior registration was required). Location: Nature Sonoran Desert 101 Date: 3/11/2012 Time: 9 a.m. Description: Join us for this introduction to some of the fascinating animals and plants of our Sonoran Desert as we enjoy a scenic stroll along the quarter-mile Desert Hawk Trail. Please bring water and Kid s Desert Scavenger Hunt Date: 3/12/2018 Time: 10:30 a.m. Description: Join us on this exciting scavenger hunt as we solve riddles and find things in our desert (using our eyes only). Not only will we have a lot of fun but we will also learn amazing things about our desert plants and animals! The 1-mile Merkle Trail offers universal access and the hard-smooth surface of this trail will accommodate wheelchairs and strollers. Please bring water and closedtoe shoes. Location: Meet at Area 6, located one-mile beyond the entry station. The World Beneath our Feet Date: 3/14/2018 Time: 9:30 a.m. Description: Our desert ground is full of holes! What makes all these holes? Each hole reveals clues about who lives in them. Join Ranger B on this quarter-mile walk in the desert as we explore the amazing world beneath our feet. Please bring water and closed-toe shoes. Location: Meet at the Nature Date: 3/15/2018 Time: 8 a.m. Kid s Cougar Cave Hike Date: 3/15/2018 Time: 10:30 a.m. Description: Kids, would you like to take a fun hike to see a cave where a cougar used to live? Not only will you get to hike in the desert but you will also discover amazing things about cougars! This 2-mile hike is on fairly-level ground. Not suitable for strollers. Please bring water and closed-toe shoes. Note: We won t actually climb up to the cave but will view it from below. Location: Trailhead Hike the Wind Cave Trail Date: 3/16/2018 Time: 8 a.m. Description: Why is the hike up to Wind Cave such a popular hike? Join us and find out! This difficult, 3-mile round-trip hike gains over 800 feet in elevation and presents some of the most spectacular scenery in the Valley! Please bring water, snacks, and closed-toe shoes. Meet at the Wind Cave Trailhead. All About Rattlesnakes Date: 3/16/2018 Time: 6 p.m. Description: How dangerous are rattlesnakes? What should you do if you encounter one? How do they survive and thrive in our desert? Discover the this exciting one-hour presentation! Join us inside our Nature as Ranger B shares amazing facts about these
misunderstood reptiles. Watch us feed our snakes after the program at 7pm. Then join our Animal Flashlight Walk at 7:30pm at no extra cost! Animal Flashlight Walk Date: 3/16/2018 Time: 7:30 p.m. Description: We re the nocturnal animals of the desert and we like to hide. Help Ranger B find us if you can! If you would like to learn about us and enjoy a night walk in the desert, then join Ranger B as he takes you on this exciting 1- mile/1-hour walk along the Merkle Trail. This trail accommodates wheelchairs and strollers. Please bring water, a flashlight, and closed-toe shoes. No pets, please. Join our All About Rattlesnakes program inside our Nature at 6pm, and our snake feeding at 7pm at no extra cost! Eat the Desert Date: 3/17/2018 Time: 9:30 a.m. Description: How have people survived off the land for thousands of years? Which desert plants are edible and when are they edible? Discover the answers to these questions and more in this exciting quarter-mile stroll along the Desert Hawk Trail. Join our Park Ranger as he shares some useful information about our edible desert plants. Please bring water and closed-toe shoes. Location: Meet at the Nature Meet Jake the Snake Date: 3/17/2018 Time: 12 p.m. see the longest species of snake found in Arizona! Ranger B will be there to share some amazing facts about this super snake! Visit anytime between 12pm-2pm. Kid vs. Wild Date: 3/17/2018 Time: 2 p.m. Description: Kids, what would you do if you got lost in the desert? This fun program will teach you what to do! You will learn how to find your way, signal for help, build an emergency shelter, and avoid desert dangers. This program involves a short hike and is designed for kids ages 7-12. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring water and closed-toe shoes. Location: Group Picnic C. New to Arizona Date: 3/18/2018 Time: 9 a.m. Description: Are you new to Arizona? Are you curious about cactus and scared of snakes? If so, join us for an introductory experience to the Sonoran Desert. After a question-and-answer session, we will take an enjoyable quarter-mile walk on our scenic Desert Hawk Trail. Please bring water and Amazing Desert Animals Walk Date: 3/18/2018 Time: 2 p.m. Description: What are the wild animals that live in our desert? How do they survive and thrive here? What should you do if you encounter one? Discover amazing things about our desert animals when you join our Park Ranger for this quarter-mile walk along the scenic Desert Hawk Trail. Please bring water and Meet Hairy the Scorpion Date: 3/21/2018 Time: 9 a.m. see the largest species of scorpion found in Arizona! Ranger B will be there to share some amazing facts about this fascinating arachnid! Visit anytime between 9am-11am. All About Hummingbirds Date: 3/21/2018 Time: 12 p.m. Description: What makes hummingbirds so special and unique? Which hummingbird species are found in this area? How do they survive and thrive in the wild? Discover the answers to these questions and more in this exciting onehour presentation! Feel free to bring your lunch with you inside our Nature as Jim Taylor (former biology teacher) and his wife, Judy, deepen our understanding and appreciation for our feathered friends. Date: 3/22/2018 Time: 8 a.m. Birding Meetup Date: 3/22/2018 Time: 9 a.m. Description: Interested in meeting other birders and heading out together in search of birds? Come to Usery Park for a birding adventure with like-minded people. Please bring binoculars, water, and closed-toe shoes. Meet at the Nature Kid s Storytime Funtime Date: 3/22/2018 Time: 10:30 a.m. Description: Kids (including parents and caregivers) will learn about our desert through a fun story, game, and a short outdoor experience. Feel free to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy after the program at one of the playgrounds in our park. Suggested for ages 3-6. Location: Nature Home School: Who? Who? Who Did We Have For Dinner? Date: 3/23/2018 Time: 10 a.m. Description: What makes owls different from other birds? How do they hunt and what do they eat? Discover the answers in the owl pellets you ll dissect! Pack a lunch to eat at one of our many picnic sites following the program. You can then enjoy some time exploring the park on your own! Note: Suggested for ages 7-12 with an adult. Please wear closed-toe shoes for the outdoor portion of this program. No registration - just show up and have some fun! Location: Nature. Meet Terry the Tarantula Date: 3/23/2018 Time: 12 p.m. see the largest species of spider found in North America! Ranger B will be there to share some amazing facts about our furry friend! Visit anytime between Noon-2pm. Strange and Silly Saguaros Date: 3/23/2018 Time: 7 p.m. Description: When it comes to desert plants, saguaros are everybody s favorite! Like people, each one of them is unique. They even make us laugh! Ranger B has taken photos of some of the most strange and silly saguaros found in Arizona. What makes them look the way they do with all those twists and turns? Join us for this entertaining and educational PowerPoint presentation and explore the special world of these amazing desert giants. As a
bonus, watch us feed our snakes after the program. Location: Nature Beginning Desert Hiking Date: 3/24/2018 Time: 9 a.m. Description: Interested in learning how to hike in the desert? This easy hike on a level one-mile scenic trail will introduce you to the fun world of desert hiking! We ll cover what to carry, what to wear, and how to hike safely in the desert. Little Desert Explorers Date: 3/25/2018 Time: 10:30 a.m. Description: This 1-mile hike is designed for parents and caregivers with children ages 3 6 years. Using their senses, kids will discover lots of cool things about the plants and animals that call our desert home. We will explore the desert along the scenic Merkle Trail. This trail accommodates wheelchairs and strollers. Please bring water and closedtoe shoes. The Desert s Most Dangerous Animals Date: 3/28/2018 Time: 12 p.m. Description: Which desert animals are REALLY the most dangerous to humans? Based on actual statistics, which ones are the most likely to harm us? They may not be the ones that you think! Discover the this exciting one-hour presentation. Feel free to bring your lunch with you inside our Nature as Ranger B shares some eye-opening facts about our desert denizens. Date: 3/29/2018 Time: 8 a.m. Staging Area, located 1.5 mile inside the park. Discover the Desert Hawk Trail Date: 3/29/2018 Time: 9 a.m. Description: You never know what you re going to find out in our desert! Join desert aficionado, Susan Peters, on this quarter-mile stroll along our Desert Hawk Trail in search of desert plants, animals, and whatever else interests you. Please bring your questions, water, and Kid s Desert Discovery Date: 3/29/2018 Time: 10:30 a.m. Description: Kids will love this easy walk as they discover new things about our desert! We never know what we re going to find out there but we ll have fun along the way! Suggested for ages 3-6. This trail accommodates strollers and wheelchairs. Please bring water and closed-toe shoes. Meet at Area 6. Hike the Wind Cave Trail Date: 3/30/2018 Time: 8 a.m. Description: Why is the hike up to Wind Cave such a popular hike? Join us and find out! This difficult, 3-mile round-trip hike gains over 800 feet in elevation and presents some of the most spectacular scenery in the Valley! Please bring water, snacks, and closed-toe shoes. Meet at the Wind Cave Trailhead. Hiker s Choice Full Moon Hike & Campfire Date: 3/30/2018 Time: 7 p.m. Description: Here s your chance to experience the desert under the glowing light of the full moon! We ll offer both a self-guided and a guided hike the choice is yours! Afterwards, we ll enjoy the toasty flames of a campfire and a free marshmallow roast. Bring your flashlight, water, and closed-toe shoes for this 2- mile desert adventure. No pets, please. Location: Trailhead Cool Cactus Walk Date: 3/31/2018 Time: 9:30 a.m. Description: What are the names of the cacti that grow in our desert? How do they survive (and thrive!) in such a harsh environment? Discover amazing facts about these incredible plants when you join our Park Ranger for this scenic stroll along the quarter-mile Desert Hawk Trail. Location: Meet at the Nature Kid s Photo Scavenger Hunt Date: 3/31/2018 Time: 10:30 a.m. Description: Kids, do you like to take photos? Join us to take photos of coollooking things out in our desert! Afterwards, you will have fun seeing your photos projected on a large screen inside our Nature This program involves a short desert walk and is designed for ages 7-12. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring water and wear closed-toe shoes. Cameras will be provided for you. Meet at the Nature Meet Elvis the Kingsnake Date: 3/31/2018 Time: 12 p.m. discover why the kingsnake is the king of the desert! Ranger B will be there to share some amazing facts about this special snake. Visit anytime between Noon-2pm. STAFF Park Supervisor: Dan Wilson Interpretive Ranger: Brennan Basler Office Asst.: Andrea Despotides Maintenance: Robert Mansfield, Ray Martin, Sharon Richards MESSAGE FROM THE PARK SUPERVISOR: Thank you for your continued support and interest in Usery Mountain Regional Park. We realize that you have a choice when it comes to selecting recreation venues and appreciate your business! Sincerely, Dan Wilson WHAT TO BRING: Please wear closed-toe shoes or boots for most programs, and bring plenty of drinking water. See descriptions below for specifics. Notes: Fees for our programs are included in the park entry fee of $6 per vehicle or with your annual pass or camping fee. Reservations are not required unless specified in the program description. Hikes/programs are canceled if heavy inclement weather is imminent. If possible, canceled hikes will be posted on our website. RANGER GUIDED HIKES and PROGRAMS: Start times vary, check schedule carefully. For more information, call the park office at (480) 984-0032.