Desert Oasis saved from commercial development

Parks & Recreation, Oct, 2004

In 2001, a collaboration between a town, a county and a state helped protect 2,100 acres from being developed into a high-end resort and golf community. The town of Cave Creek, together with Maricopa County in Arizona, was helped by Sen. John McCain to purchase the property that is now maintained by the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department.

Through site visits and personal appeals, Cave Creek leaders, Maricopa county supervisors and the governor of Arizona were convinced to pool their resources and raise $21 million for the land, which features the only perennial stream in the county and Native American artifacts, burial grounds and ruins.