Queen Creek/Pinal County Blog

Anthony Edwards and Tracy McClure were honored by the Queen Creek Town Council for their entries in the town’s recent park-naming contest. Their submissions were chosen from among nearly 50 entries.

The contest was judged by members of the Parks, Trails & Open Space Committee and provided names for three of the parks in the town’s five-park master plan.

Edwards was the first of five people to suggest the name Desert Wells Park for the park located near Chandler Heights and Sossaman Roads. The name for the park highlights the historic stage stop located there.

McClure was the winner for both the San Marqui and East Park sites. The San Marqui site is being named Sonoqui Park because it runs along the border of the Sonoqui Wash. The East Park site is being renamed the Queen Creek Sports Complex because it will have many sports facilities, including softball and soccer fields, and tennis, volleyball and basketball courts.

The following are traffic alerts issued by Queen Creek for Sept. 4-11:

1.       Ocotillo Road - Ellsworth Loop to Hawes roads
Traffic was shifted to the south side of Ocotillo Road on Wednesday, Sept. 3, while crews complete street widening work to the north side of the street. Traffic will be on the outside lanes of the road, while the inside lanes will have barricades. 

2.       Ellsworth Road - Ellsworth Road South Connector to south of Cloud Road
Crews continue to work in the area; this project is anticipated to be completed by mid-November. Drivers should expect flaggers and/or off-duty police officers controlling traffic as well as other traffic controls. 

3.       Cloud Road - Crismon to Ellsworth roads
Traffic will remain shifted to the south while crews complete the installation of a new sewer line, which is scheduled to be completed on Cloud Road by Sept. 15. Work will then start on Ellsworth Road heading south from Cloud Road on the east side of the road. This portion of the project is anticipated to be completed within two weeks. Drivers should expect short delays between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. while flaggers are controlling traffic in the area.

As always, drivers should use extra caution when driving through construction work areas and obey all posted signs and reduced speed limits.

The San Tan Chapter of the Arizona Archaeological Society will meet from 7-9 p.m., Sept. 10  at the San Tan Historical Society Museum in Queen Creek, 20435 S. Ellsworth Road.
This month’s guest speaker will be David Jordan, the San Tan Mountain Regional Park Supervisor. He will discuss the history and archeology in and around the San Tan Mountains.
The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information contact (480) 204-2732, ggage@northlandresearch.com.

Queen Creek residents are invited to participate in the town’s annual Citizen Leadership Institute.
The 11-session academy will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesdays from September through May at Town Hall, 22350 S. Ellsworth Road.
The purpose of the institute is to give information about issues facing the town, provide an avenue for residents to help plan the community’s future, and spark interest in serving the town in local issues.
The sessions feature speakers and group discussions.
To register contact Marsha Hunt before Sept. 16 at (480) 358-3190. Responses received after Sept. 16 will be considered based on class size.

The Queen Creek Town Council will meet Wednesday to discuss future plans for solid waste services in town. The Council will also decide on a special use permit for Schnepf Farms to set aside acreage there for a concert venue.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 22350 S. Ellsworth Road.
To view the agenda or get more information visit www.queencreek.org.

Queen Creek voters will say yes or no to an updated general plan for the town on Tuesday. The general plan is the guiding document for growth, development and land use in Queen Creek.

For more information on the plan, visit www.queencreek.org where maps and information are available.

Chase Bank will have a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce at 9 a.m. Sept. 20. The public is invited to come out and meet the bank’s staff. Chase is located at 21362 S. Ellsworth Loop Road in Queen Creek Marketplace at the corner of Ellsworth Loop Road and Victoria Lane. For more information, contact Cary Larson at 480-888-0180 or 480-888-0155.

Wells Fargo Bank is having a ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening at 10:30 a.m., Sept. 20. The bank is located at 155 W. Combs Road. The public is invited to meet the staff and see the Wells Fargo Stagecoach. For more information, contact Brandi Hansen at 480-458-5205.

The following are Queen Creek traffic alerts from Aug. 28 - Sept. 4

1. Hawes Road - Ocotillo Road to Queen Creek Road
Hawes Road will remain closed to thru traffic while crews complete work on the Gilbert CAP Waterline Project.

2. Ocotillo Road - Ellsworth Loop Road to Hawes Road
Traffic will remain shifted to the south side of Ocotillo Road while crews complete street widening work to the north side of the street.

3. Ellsworth Road - Ellsworth Road South Connector to south of Cloud Road
Crews continue to work in the area - drivers should expect flaggers and/or off-duty police officers controlling traffic as well as other traffic controls.

4. Cloud Road - Crismon Road to Ellsworth Road
Traffic will remain shifted to the south while crews complete the installation of a new sewer line. Drivers should expect short delays between 6:00am and 4 p.m. while flaggers are controlling traffic in the area.

5. Ellsworth Road/Germann Road
Crews will be working on the southwest corner of the intersection which will require that the southbound right lane on Ellsworth Road be closed starting at 5 a.m. and continuing until approximately 4 p.m. on Wednesday, September 3.

Sports Chalet celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony in Queen Creek last week. The business is open at Queen Creek Marketplace at Rittenhouse and Ellsworth Loop Roads.

Queen Creek business Hickory Ridge BBQ celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony last week. The BBQ restaurant is located on the northeast corner of Ellsworth and Ocotillo roads in downtown Queen Creek.

Photos are courtesy of the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce

Flooding has caused eastbound Riggs Road to be closed between Power and Sossaman roads at 9 a.m. today. The road will be reopened when flooding subsides. Drivers are urged to use an alternate route until further notice.

Questions can be directed to Maricopa County Department of Transportation by calling (602) 506-8600.