Vistancia to Host 'Discovery Walk'
Date Published: May 17, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IN HONOR OF NATIONAL TRAILS DAY, VISTANCIA INVITES PUBLIC TO WATCH DESERT COME ALIVE DURING 'DISCOVERY WALK'
The new Vistancia community in North Peoria is offering Valley residents and newcomers a walk to remember.
In celebration of National Trails Day (June 1), the 7,100-acre community will open its one-of-a-kind, private Discovery Trail to the public on May 29, beginning at 10 a.m. with an interpretive Discovery Walk, followed by a special program on Sonoran Desert plants.
It's a rare opportunity.Not only will participants get an exclusive look at the distinctive trail -- usually reserved for Vistancia's residents -- they'll also get to learn about the region's natural history from a local expert:David Morris, a Native American naturalist and ethno-botanist, will lead the 90-minute walk.
Afterward, Morris will discuss traditional Native American uses of Sonoran Desert plants and herbs during a Harvest of the Desert program at Vistancia's Mountain Vista Club.
The Discovery Trail, a 3.35-mile linear park that links Vistancia's neighborhoods and amenities, leads its users on a scenic walk through themed gardens, natural trails, wildlife-watching areas and one of the nation's only solar gardens -- a spiraling path that winds down through a built-to-scale replica of our solar system.
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VISTANCIA INVITES PUBLIC TO EXPERIENCE DISCOVERY TRAIL
"The Discovery Trail is a truly remarkable learning tool and an enriching outdoor experience that showcases the native beauty of this region," said Curt Smith, chief operations officer of Sunbelt Holdings, which developed Vistancia with Shea Homes."Residents here get to use the trail on a daily basis, but the May 29 Discovery Walk will be one of the few times the public will be allowed to come in and enjoy this distinctive path."
What sets the Discovery Trail apart from other community trails are its thematic zones that offer a wide range of educational and recreational activities, beginning with a 4.5-acre trailhead that includes an entry garden with lush desert flora, water elements and an instructional panel that maps out the trail's path.
Other stops along the native desert trail include a Wildlife Walk, where natural habitat areas allow residents to watch birds and other animals; a shady Cottonwood Park, with stone "ruins" as a creative alternative to children's jungle gyms; the Solar Garden, which includes a Constellation Walk for stargazing; and an Interpretive Desert Garden, with educational modules and examples of the Sonoran Desert's flora and fauna.
Between the themed trail elements, the environment surrounding the trail is left primarily in its natural state.Rustic benches along the way offer quiet places for travelers to rest and take in the scenery.
Vistancia is located west of Lake Pleasant Road and north of Happy Valley Road.For more information on the event or the community, call (623) 933-6233 or visit the Web site, www.vistancia.com.
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