FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Mountain biking on Coconino County’s many trails, trying your skills behind a bow and arrow and learning the art of food canning are a handful of new programs being offered by the County Parks and Recreation Department this fall.

The new programs, offered in Parks and Recreation’s Fall/Winter Outdoor Recreation Catalog, are aimed at highlighting the County’s numerous outdoor activities and encouraging residents to experience our County parks, said County Board of Supervisors Chairman Carl Taylor.

“Coconino County is known nationally for our outdoor activities and we are pleased to be able to offer these programs to our residents and visitors,” Taylor said. “This is a great low-cost option for our communities to get outside and enjoy our County and its many parks.”

Many of the programs offered run from September, with biking, hiking, kickball and archery, and end in February, with snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and a clinic on animal tracking.

One goal in determining which programs to offer was to ensure they were affordable to encourage individuals and families to get outdoors, said County Parks and Recreation Director Judy Weiss. Another goal was aimed at showing the public what the County has to offer outdoor enthusiasts.

“We encourage all of our residents and visitors to come experience Coconino County the best way possible – outdoors,” Weiss said. “We’re surrounded by forests, deserts and incredible scenery, which lends itself to ample hiking, biking and sightseeing.”

County Parks and Recreation has also partnered with the Family and Community Teaming for Students (FACTS) afterschool program to offer outdoor recreation and nature education classes to children during their aftercare hours. Programs will be available for grades three to five and on a certain days of the week. “Events involving FACTS students will include monthly field trips so our children can get a true glimpse of our great outdoors,” Weiss said.

Those interested in participating must register at least three days before the program’s start date. To view the Fall/Winter recreation catalog or to register for a program online, visit www.coconino.az.gov/parks. Registration can also be done in person from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the County Parks & Recreation offices at 2446 Ft. Tuthill Loop in Flagstaff and by mail, after printing and filling out a registration form online. For more information, visit the website above or call 928-679-8000.

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Contact:
Nathan Gonzalez
Public Information Officer
Phone: 928-679-7172
Cell: 928-699-1726
ngonzalez@coconino.az.gov