Directions: Main Entrance: 59th Avenue between Deer Valley
and Pinnacle Peak roads
Trail Information: Thunderbird Conservation Park, a 1,185-acre
park in the Hedgpeth Hills, is a conservation park dedicated to preserving the
desert environment. The hills were named for Robert Hedgpeth, an early
homesteader in the area. The park took its name from the World War II pilot
training facility located four miles south of the park. The city of Glendale
acquired the park in 1951 through a lease with the federal government. Ownership
came in 1956 with the assistance of the Glendale Women's Club and Glendale
Rotary Club. Maricopa County operated the park from 1963 to 1984 and many of the
park improvements were made during this time. In 1984 the park was returned to
the city. Park activities include picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain
biking, jogging and bird watching. About 15 miles of multi-use trails have been
constructed, thanks to the efforts of many volunteer groups.
Tim Duff