Home Care In Fountain Hills, AZ

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FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ — The town of Fountain Hills prides itself on being a desirable and beautiful community. Its residents want it to stay that way.

"We want to protect what we love. It's a natural instinct. We want to protect it. We want to defend it," Fountain Hills resident Matthew Corrigan said during Tuesday night's town council meeting.

Corrigan attended the meeting in support of an ordinance prohibiting camping or sleeping in any Fountain Hills public park, public street, alley, or other right of way.

"Huge problems start as small problems and our job is to protect our town from huge problems happening," council member Allen Skillicorn said.

At any given time, town officials say there are maybe four or five homeless people taking up residence in Fountain Hills. But Skillicorn says dealing with a problem that doesn't really exist is not the issue. "We do see in Phoenix and Tempe there's a large problem with people in shanty towns. Literally on public right of ways and we have to prevent that in Fountain Hills," Skillicorn said.

While the measure passed, not every council member supported it.

"There's a homeless issue. It's bigger than all of us. This isn't a solution. Criminalizing camping is not a solution," council member Peggy McMahon said.

The town attorney says as long as Fountain Hills can offer a shelter option, it won't be in violation of a 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling preventing cities from arresting the homeless for camping unless there is a shelter option.

The ordinance can't be enforced until Fountain Hills can work out an arrangement with either another city or social service agency, as there is no homeless shelter in Fountain Hills or agency that can provide the social services needed.

A groundbreaking $25 million project is taking shape in the heart of Fountain Hills, Arizona.

Fountain Hills, which was named a Dark Sky Community in 2018, is planning the groundbreaking of its International Dark Sky Discovery Center. Construction is scheduled to start in March.

Joe Bill, president of the International Dark Sky Discovery Center, says the goal is “to create an international centerpiece that will inspire future scientists and people of all ages to understand how important dark skies are for the well-being of humans, plants, and animals and for opening the window to the observable universe.”

Here's what to know about the observatory being built in Fountain Hills.

Arizona's darkest places:These parks and cities have the best night skies for stargazing

What is the International Dark Sky Discovery Center in Fountain Hills?

The 23,000-square-foot observatory will house the largest telescope in metro Phoenix. It will also have the following:

“The mission is to provide STEM education experiences to students interested in the sciences; offer the observatory’s research capabilities to university students; inform visitors how dark skies relate to human health, wildlife conservation, nocturnal pollinators and night sky observation; and serve as an international astrotourism attraction for visitors of all ages,” said Bill.

The discovery center is planned to open in the fall of 2025.

Why is Fountain Hills a dark-sky city?

Fountain Hills received the Dark Sky Community designation in 2018. The International Dark-Sky Association grants this designation to places that promote and implement measures to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky.

Dark Sky Communities commit to reducing light pollution, promoting responsible outdoor lighting and raising awareness about the importance of preserving dark skies for astronomical observation.

Fountain Hills demonstrated a commitment to these principles by working to minimize light pollution and create an environment conducive to stargazing.

A big deal:This iconic park is Arizona's 1st Urban Night Sky Place

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As a leader in STEM education and space exploration, ASU is excited by the creation of the International Dark Sky Discovery Center. The Center reinforces Arizona’s commitment to expanding our understanding of the universe, and we look forward to working with them to advance new research and learning opportunities.”

Michael M. Crow; President, Arizona State University

Development of a nonprofit STEM-based International Dark Sky Discovery Center (IDSDC) will soon be underway in Fountain Hills.

“We are over-the-top happy” said Joe Bill, IDSDC president, “to share that our board unanimously voted to begin construction of the International Dark Sky Discovery Center. Groundbreaking is planned for March 2024.”

The Discovery Center will have a Dark Sky Observatory, Hyperspace Planetarium, Inspiration Theater, a Night Sky Experience Exhibit Hall and an Einstein Exploration Station. The observatory will have the largest telescope in the Greater Phoenix Area, which has led to discussions with Arizona State University about collaborative opportunities.

“As a leader in STEM education and space exploration, ASU is excited by the creation of the International Dark Sky Discovery Center,” said ASU President Michael M. Crow. “The Center reinforces Arizona’s commitment to expanding our understanding of the universe, and we look forward to working with them to advance new research and learning opportunities.”

Part of the mission of the Discovery Center is to help preserve dark skies, an important objective for astronomy in Arizona.

“Dark skies are an increasingly important part of Arizona’s tourism offerings,” said Lisa Urias, Executive Director of the Arizona Office of Tourism. “And the Discovery Center admirably represents our state’s dedication to astronomical research and education.”

Receiving designation as an International Dark Sky Community is rare for a community so close to a major metropolitan area.

“Fountain Hills is the perfect location for the Discovery Center,” said State Senator John Kavanagh, a Fountain Hills resident. “With its dark skies and proximity to millions of people, the center will benefit the entire state of Arizona.”

The Discovery Center is a 23,000 sq. ft., nonprofit, STEM science facility. Its STEM science mission of dark sky preservation relates to astronomy research, protection of nocturnal animals and human health.

The facility was designed by Swaback Architecture and construction will be done by McCarthy Builders.

As a beacon of cosmic and technology education, the Discovery Center seeks the support of philanthropic partners to put the finishing touches on this first-of-its-kind facility.

The International Dark Sky Discovery Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing and operating a world-class STEM education center in Fountain Hills. Its science-based mission is to educate the public about the importance of protecting the vanishing night sky.

Children and adults alike will be introduced to the awesome wonders of the cosmos and will leave with a better understanding of the universe and how to protect dark skies for the benefit of all life on Earth.

More information, including a narrated 3D flyover of the Discovery Center and support statements from leaders throughout the state is available at darkskycenter.org.

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Support the journalists of Independent Newsmedia.

The Fountain Hills Town Council, during an August meeting, passed ordinances prohibiting urban camping and standing in streets and medians.

The council is now exploring ways the town can partner with an organization to provide shelter beds so they can enforce the camping ban, but no partner group has been identified yet.

Three ordinances were proposed at the Aug. 22 meeting to address concerns raised in a June meeting about the unsheltered population in the region. A proposed ordinance prohibiting panhandling, which was nearly identical to an ordinance passed in Glendale last fall, failed.

Fountain Hills joins several cities in Central Arizona that prohibit urban camping, including Tempe and Phoenix, but the number of people experiencing homelessness in the town is drastically lower than in those cities.

Two unhoused people were counted in Fountain Hills in January during the Maricopa Association of Governments' annual point-in-time count. In the August meeting, council members said the number was more like four or five.

Law blocks standing in roadways and medians

An ordinance that passed 4-3 prohibits “standing or stopping in the roadway, medians, or areas adjacent to roadways where the speed limit is 35 mph or greater.” Emergency and maintenance workers are exempt from the rule.

Councilmember Peggy McMahon said it was disingenuous for the council to say the ordinance is only about safety since it was originally proposed in relation to people experiencing homelessness.

“I think this is indirectly targetting panhandlers,” McMahon said in the August meeting. “I think we have to be very very careful about that because they are a vulnerable, protected class.”

Phoenix has similar ordinances preventing someone from standing in medians and streets.

Tempe has an ordinance prohibiting people from lying or sleeping in streets or on sidewalks.

Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, has previously pushed legislation targeting panhandling. The most recent attempt was a bill proposed in January that aimed to prohibit people from asking for money from drivers stopped at red lights.

Urban camping ordinance not being enforced — yet

An ordinance that passed 5-2 will prohibit people from sleeping and camping in public roads. However, because of a decision from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, urban camping cannot be criminalized if there is no available shelter for people experiencing homelessness.

Mayor Ginny Dickey said the town is looking for an organization to partner with to provide shelter space — one hasn't been selected yet. Until an agreement is finalized, the ordinance will not be enforced.

Helen Rummel covers housing insecurity and homelessness for The Arizona Republic. Reach her at [email protected].

Coverage of housing insecurity on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Arizona Community Foundation.

Posted Friday, December 29, 2023 1:34 pm

The Town of Fountain Hills has announced the availability of its 2024 Visitors Guide at an array of stores and websites throughout Arizona.

With over 50 events every year ranging from food, holidays, art and science, the community is offering something for everyone. Below are a few events through the summer of 2024 that residents and visitors of Fountain Hills can look forward to attending.

Art on the Avenue

Art on the Avenue was established to provide numerous Valley artists the opportunity to share and promote their one-of-a-kind pieces at the Avenue of the Fountains.

Pottery, furniture, wall art, fiber and jewelry are just a glimpse of the works available.

Art on the Avenue is a free event held every Wednesday through April from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Farmers' Market

The Farmers' Market includes over 50 food, health and wellness vendors from all over the Valley, food trucks and two live music stations.

The market also includes vendors like farmers, fishermen, cattle and chicken ranchers, a variety of bakers and chefs selling fresh and frozen products, fresh flowers, ethnic foods, gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options, homemade soaps, wellness tinctures and more.

The Farmer’s Market is free to the public and held every Wednesday through April from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Concours in the Hills

Also known as the “Greatest Car Show on Grass,” Concours in the Hills is celebrating its 10th anniversary Saturday, Feb. 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fountain Park in Fountain Hills.

This free, family-friendly event benefits Phoenix Children’s Hospital Hope Fund, a critical source of funding for the hospital’s areas of greatest need. These funds support pioneering research, state-of-the-art technology, recruitment of leading physicians and the implementation of programs designed to create a more comfortable hospital environment for children.

50th Anniversary of the Fountain Hills Fountain Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts

Come celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Fountain Hills Fountain Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts on Feb. 23-24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This free annual festival showcases the talents of over 400 artists and artisans from across the country with a diverse range of artwork including paintings, sculptures, ceramics and jewelry.

Feb. 23-24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Irish Fountain Fest

The Irish Fountain Fest is a family-friendly event to kick off St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with food, music, dancing and more. Participants can witness the 560-foot emerald, green fountain launch into the air.

Free to the public, the Irish Fountain Fest is Saturday, March 16, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Fountain Park.

Greening of the Fountain

On the day following the Irish Fountain Hills, Fountain Hills turns its World-Famous Fountain emerald green in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. In a tradition that dates to the early 1980s, participants can watch as the world-famous fountain turns emerald green at noon to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

The greening is at 12 p.m. on Sunday, March 17.

Dark Sky Festival

Celebrate Fountain Hills distinction as an International Dark Sky Community at the annual Dark Sky Festival. The free event will feature hands-on activities, live nocturnal animals, fun exhibits, live music, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, a student art contest and more.

The Dark Sky Festival is Monday, March 30, from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Fountain Hills Community Center, 13001 N. La Montana Drive.

Fountain Hills Music Fest

Experience Arizona’s spring weather at the Fountain Hills Music Festival where participants can enjoy three outdoor musical performances with family and friends.

The free event will feature food trucks, a wine garden by Grapeables Wine Bar and a beer garden by Bone Haus Brewing.

The Fountain Hills Music Fest is Saturday, April 6, from 5 to 10 p.m. in Fountain Park.

Concerts on the Avenue

Enjoy live music along the Avenue of the Fountains with the evening concert series every Thursday in April from 6 to 8 p.m.

The concerts showcase some of the Valley’s best bands and a variety of music options to suit everyone’s taste.

Each evening will have an acoustic musician and a band. Yards games are spread throughout the Avenue and docents are available for self-guided art walk tours.

Free and open to the public, Concerts on the Avenue are held Thursdays, April 4, 11, 18 and 25 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Fourth at the Fountain

Don the red, white and blue and join friends and neighbors at Fountain Park to celebrate Independence Day. The celebration will include music, games and prizes and conclude with a fireworks display over Fountain Lake.

This free event is Thursday, July 4 from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

Fall 2024 Events

Events in the fall include but are not limited to Ballet Under the Stars, Spooky Blast, Fountain Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts, 34th Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run and Fitness Walk, 40th Anniversary Thanksgiving Day Parade, Stroll in the Glow and Season’s Celebrations.