PHX Reporter

Maricopa County’s regional parks recently held a Military Service Appreciation Day celebration to honor veterans, with all 11 parks in the county open to both active and inactive military personnel.

Veterans Day has been observed on Nov. 11  as Military Service Appreciation Day in all Maricopa County regional parks after a proclamation issued by the county board of supervisors in 2005, according to the Queen Creek Times.

“As a small token of appreciation for the freedoms afforded to all Americans, Maricopa County’s regional parks will be honoring all veterans with Military Service Appreciation Day,” Bill Gates, chairman of the board of supervisors, said. “All active and non-active military personnel will have their $7 per vehicle day-use entry fee waived on Nov. 11. We hope this will allow them to relax and spend time with their family and friends while taking in the beauty of the Sonoran desert.”

At about 120,000 acres, Maricopa County is home to one of the largest regional park systems in the United States, according to the Queen Creek Times.

“While we cannot thank our veterans enough for their service and the sacrifices they’ve made serving our country, we can offer them time in our regional parks to make memories with their loved ones,” Maricopa County Supervisor Jack Sellers of District 1 said in the story.

Maricopa County Supervisor Clint Hickman of District 4 said veterans can use the day to learn about conservation with their families.

“With White Tank Mountain Regional Park near Luke Air Force Base, I’d like to encourage our veterans to enjoy an afternoon connecting with nature,” he said. “The park’s nature center and the library are also good resources to learn more about the plants and critters found in the park, especially if you have young children.”

District 2 Supervisor Thomas Galvin also offered advice on outdoor exploration as temperatures cool.

“Now that the cooler temperatures have arrived, we’d like to encourage the community to get outdoors and explore the Sonoran desert," Galvin said. "Our parks and the Maricopa Trail offer more than 645 miles of trails for hiking, trail running, biking and horseback riding. I hope this offer at our parks will encourage more conversations between veterans and their families and help them create life-long memories.”

District 5 Supervisor Steve Gallardo also offered his thanks to veterans, saying: "They work so hard for us, so let’s give them a day to relax. Let’s give them a day to re-energize in nature at our beautiful county parks. And let’s find a way, every day, to show our appreciation to our service members who defend our democracy day in and day out.”

“In addition to waiving the day-use entry fee on Veteran’s Day, we also offer a discount on our annual pass for veterans with any level of a service-connected disability at any time during the year,” said R.J. Cardin, Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department director, and former Luke Air Force Base honorary commander, according to Queen Creek Sun Times.