Graduate students from the Arizona State University School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning and their professor, Sarbeswar Praharaj, recently toured Gold Canyon.

The 36 students were welcomed Jan. 25 by Pinal County officials, homeowners association leaders, and members of Gold Canyon Community Inc., Gold Canyon Alliance, A.D.O.B.E., Gold Canyon Chamber of Commerce and Superstition Area Land Trust, according to a release.

The tour was for ASU students conducting a land use study of the Gold Canyon community, David Coward, director of Gold Canyon Community Inc., said.

“This field trip was in furtherance of the community development planning project initiated by Gold Canyon Community Inc. in collaboration with other interested organizations from all sectors of the community,” the release states.

The course of study began on Jan. 10 and will continue through April 2022. The international class of students represent a wide range of interests and experience that will concentrate on land use, sustainability and the needs of the community, it states.

For more information, email Gold Canyon Community Inc. at gccinc21@gmail.com or go to gccincaz.org/general-4 for a video representing the tour.

After the tour, Praharaj shared comments from the students, including:

• “Thank you for hosting and connecting with us. Gold Canyon is stunning and I look forward to working with you in further planning the community.” — Shiraz Malul.
• Thank you to the Gold Canyon community members for hosting us and allowing us to tour their community and meet some of the stakeholders. The amenities and provided food and bus was very generous. I feel honored to be looked at so highly as a young planner for the ideas I plan to present with my group to the community. Looking forward to our collaboration.” — Adam Levin
• “Thank you Gold Canyon for welcoming us into your home. I had a great time getting to experience the community you all are so passionate about. Looking forward to working with you.” — Mitchell Willard
• “As someone who had never visited the Gold Canyon area, it was refreshing to hear about the things that residents value about their semi-rural community. The passion and respect for the existing culture is not something that can be understood over a screen. So thank you for your hospitality.” — Jairus Gallegos