Dog Parks And Other New Projects – Our bustling and growing city of Maricopa is set to undergo a major transformation, as a new development project prepares to break ground on the land currently occupied by Copper Sky Regional Park. The ambitious Maricopa Medical and Innovation Campus is set to occupy a significant portion of the southern area of Copper Sky, including the popular dog park, which is currently the only dog park operated by the city.

City Manager Rick Horst recently addressed the community about the changes that the new development would bring. The medical campus component of the project will span over 577,877 square feet and will house various facilities such as extended-stay suites, an emergency room, hospital, medical office, luxury lofts, physical therapy center, and a sports psychology facility. On the other hand, the innovation campus component will cover 1,035,000 square feet and include amenities such as apartment homes, an innovation center, a residential tower, a life and science center, a makers shop and movie academy, and a sports and science academy.

While the current dog park will be eliminated as a result of the project, Horst reassured residents that the city would be establishing at least three new dog parks in its place. In fact, city officials have been exploring opportunities to enhance the dog park experience and make it more accessible to all residents. They have even sought public input on preferred park amenities and have ordered equipment for the new dog parks. The new parks will be located within a two-mile radius and will cover a total of 4 acres, which will exceed the current dog park’s acreage.

More Reading: Maricopa PD Getting Bigger Better HQ

The Bark at Copper Sky will be the first of the new parks and will be located in the eastern portion of Copper Sky near the lake. The other two parks, Canine Crossing at Pacana Park and Central Bark behind City Hall, will feature natural and man-made amenities such as benches, direction signs, agility opportunities, and shade shelters.

The city is also making strides in commercial development, with various new projects on the horizon. Shea-Connelly at Copper Sky is currently working on a senior living project, and there is a mixed-use building concept with about 20,000 square feet of retail space at the bottom and multifamily units on top. Additionally, the city owns 18 acres of commercial development land known as Maricopa Station to the north and has issued a request for bids from two commercial developers. On the south side, the city is working on a collective project with a developer and the landowner, which is expected to comprise about 250,000 square feet of retail space.

Recently, the city was approached with a proposal for a 29,000-square-foot office capability project across the street from the Exceptional Community Hospital, which Horst considers to be an exciting opportunity. In response, he plans to convene a study committee to review and potentially restructure the standing committees such as parks, recreation and library, age-friendly Maricopa, and cultural affairs and arts advisory committees. The study committee will consist of a member from each of the listed committees, the city manager, and two additional staff representatives, and up to three city council members will be invited to participate. Any recommendations will be brought to the public and council for consideration.

The Maricopa Medical and Innovation Campus and the new dog parks are just some of the exciting developments coming to the city. Maricopa is poised for growth and transformation, with various new projects on the horizon that will enhance the city’s recreational, commercial, and cultural offerings. But we think the Bork Borks will be more pleased with the new bark bark parks really.