by Kell Palguta, Mayor, Prescott Valley
Hello everyone! I really think that spring in Prescott Valley is one of my favorite times of the year. Actually, the more I think about it, we have some of the greatest weather 365 days a year here in Prescott Valley.
With great weather comes an opportunity to get outside and enjoy what the community has to offer. For those who love hiking, Prescott Valley offers residents and visitors the opportunity to hike the Glassford Hill Summit Trail and take in one of the best views of the Central Highlands possible in all the Quad-City area. On a clear day you can easily see the San Francisco Peaks located in Flagstaff over 80 miles to the north.
If hiking a trail that ascends more than 940 feet in 2.1 miles is not for you, be sure to take a stroll at Fain Park and check out the mining and gold panning history of Lynx Creek, which was one of the reasons that originally brought people to our area many years ago. When speaking of the Town of Prescott Valley and history it is easy to forget that the Town is actually very young when it comes to incorporation.
Being a young town brings new challenges and new opportunities. One of the opportunities/challenges that Prescott Valley is currently tackling is bringing a YMCA to fruition. The Town is working side by side with the YMCA of Prescott to bring forth an idea and make it into a reality that will benefit not only the citizens of Prescott Valley but the surrounding areas as well. A YMCA is so important in helping to provide services and programs to all ages of a community. It’s important that we all work together to make this project a reality.
Over the past few months the Town of Prescott Valley has welcomed a wide variety of different events and attractions at the Findlay Toyota Center, which as many of you know is the only 4,500-seat arena in Northern Arizona. These events bring visitors from all around Arizona, not only for one event but to experience everything our community has to offer.
I often tell people that Prescott Valley will never be Prescott, just as much as Prescott will never be Prescott Valley. Each of our communities can work together to enhance each visitor’s experience to the area.
As a Town of what many estimate to be more than 50,000 people, the Town of Prescott Valley takes seriously the sustainability of our community for generations to come. The Town has a goal to ensure that we are at “safe yield” by the year 2025. Safe yield is ensuring the aquifer from which we receive our water remains at the same level and that we as a Town don’t take out more water than can be recharged.
The Town will be moving through 2020 with excitement, knowing we are the hidden gem of Yavapai County. Slowly but surely the secret is getting out, and visitors are recognizing that Prescott Valley has a lot more to offer than just a pass-through on Highway 69. I encourage anyone interested in learning more about Prescott Valley to not only check out the Town of Prescott Valley’s Facebook page and its website at www.pvaz.net, but also reach out to the Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce (www.pvchamber.org) with any questions.
As always, you can reach out directly to me at mayor@pvaz.net with any questions, comments, issues or concerns. I love interacting with every citizen and visitor who comes to Prescott Valley or those who are considering coming to Prescott Valley. Have a great spring!
Photo: Glassford Hill Summit Trail, while a challenging climb, offers some the best vistas in the Quad Cities area. Photo by Chris Kissling