AZ Vibe – The Ultimate Phoenix Entertainment Resource

It’s about that time of year where it’s going to be way to hot to do anything outdoors until the fall.  Make sure you take this opportunity with the break in the weather to get out and explor the many hiking trails not only in the Greater Phoenix Area but all around Arizona as well.  Instead of putting individual hikes in separate posts we found two EXCELLENT resources for hikes in Arizona.

First off a great resources within the Phoenix City Limits (from the City of Phoenix):

http://phoenix.gov/PARKS/hikemain.html

Finally, a great resource for hikes all around the state of Arizona:

http://www.hikearizona.com/

Even if you get out to climb something easy like Camelback mountain, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the scenery and fun that hiking in Arizona has to offer.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Ok other than our site.  Hee hee.

Anyways, I got an e-mail from the Executive Director of the Maricopa Council on Youth Sports and Physical Activity with a link to what I believe to be one of the greatest resources for public Park/Sports/recreation facilities in the Valley of the Sun. The site is Called ‘Spaces to Play’ and is a site devoted to finding places to play sports around the valley.  The site is going to always be adding features over the course of the coming months so don’t think this is a be all/end all list.

Here’s the types of information you can find on this site (that is located around Maricopa County):

• Where to play Outdoor Volleyball (Sand)
• Where to play Baseball/Softball
• Outdoor Basketball
• Running Tracks
• Public Golf Courses
• Off-Leash Dog Parks
• Running Track (as in circular tracks at High Schools and Colleges)

I personally am an avid outdoor Volleyball player and this site is a godsend as there are many parks around the area that are just simply full sometimes when I want to play.  The site centers around a Google map that shows the resources available for you to go check out.  For example, if you select soccer your location results will appear as soccer balls on the map of the Greater Phoenix area.  You can click on the given sports Icon on the Google Map and you will be shown the location and address of the given park.  You can scroll in to a greater detail to get an exact location of a park, golf course, track, or Volleyball Court.

I have been told that one of the next features on the site will be hiking trails around the valley.  I know there’s a lot of hikers out there that would love this kind of information.  As soon as we find out about it, we will let you all know!

Here’s the link to ‘Spaces to Play’.  BOOKMARK THIS NOW!!!

http://www.spacestoplay.org/map/

Popularity: 8% [?]

I was checking out the Phoenix Magazine website today and noticed a really great section about hikes around the area for various skill levels. They also had a huge section in their July magazine about great hikes mostly in Central and Northern Arizona. If you’re looking to get out of town and go hiking to beat the heat this section of the Phoenix Magazine website is for you. Enjoy.

http://www.phoenixmag.com/travel/hiking-guide/

Popularity: 4% [?]