Thankfully, Maricopa County officials are backing away from an ill-conceived proposal to sell off part of the San Tan Mountains Regional Park in the far south East Valley.

For years, visitors to San Tan Mountain Regional Park near Queen Creek navigated their own way through its mountainous landscape but this week the park got three marked trails.

If you’ve ever wanted to throw the atlatl or the bola — or you’d just like to know what they are — the Prehistoric Life Festival on Saturday at San Tan Mountain Regional Park can help.

Children can get soaked playing water games before cooling off indoors with a snack 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday at San Tan Mountain Regional Park, 6533 W. Phillips Road, Queen Creek.

Hector Benitez rides his bike on a 12-mile loop once a week from his home near Queen Creek to the entrance of San Tan Mountain Regional Park.

Hector Benitez rides his bike on a 12-mile loop once a week from his home near Queen Creek to the entrance of San Tan Mountain Regional Park.

The updated master plan for San Tan Mountains Regional Park will have to wait a few more months so wildlife officials can investigate whether proposed new trails and campgrounds could disrupt endangered species, a park planner said Friday.

San Tan Mountain Regional Park has come a long way. Five years ago this month, San Tan Mountain Regional Park celebrated its official grand opening with the completion of a master plan funded by Maricopa County, Queen Creek, Gilbert, Mesa and Chandler.

They sure don’t move fast, but two desert tortoises are rapidly adapting to a new home at San Tan Mountain Regional Park.

Park activist Alden Rosbrook said he used to think Maricopa County officials were crazy for allowing input from every possible interest group while updating the master plan for San Tan Mountains Regional Park.

November 29, 2004

After months of delay because of disagreements about amenities, a massive park that will serve four communities in two counties is before the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors for final approval today.

Developer Larry Miller is so happy with the way homes are selling in northern Pinal County, he threw a huge party for his residents Saturday and donated a big chunk of his profits to the nearby regional park.

Residents and community groups near San Tan Mountain Regional Park aren’t waiting for the completion of master-planned amenities to make the park their own.

July 24, 2004

San Tan Mountains Regional Park's south finger will not be severed to fund recreation and camping facilities, but it might still be put on ice, a Maricopa County supervisor said Friday.

East Valley residents have one last chance to tell San Tan Mountains Regional Park planners which features they would like to see when the park’s master plan is submitted to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors for approval.

November 30, 2004

A primitive, 10,000-acre park in the growing south East Valley would become more inviting to people under a plan approved Monday to build trails, restrooms, a campground and other amenities.