By the work of citizens who knew the terrain, farmers in the area were able to demonstrate that it didn’t need to be that way [concrete channel] and would provide a tremendous new asset to the City of Scottsdale.”

Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane

The City of Scottsdale Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt was recognized as the recipient of the 2019 Resilience Prize at the inaugural Celebration for Resilience.

The event hosted by the Knowledge Exchange for Resilience initiative at Arizona State University celebrated past, present, and future resilience efforts in Maricopa County that help build more prosperous communities.

“It’s been wonderful to have the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt seen as such a positive asset for our city and to be recognized with this inaugural award; we are very proud to receive it,” said Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane, in a prepared statement.

The Resilience Prize recognizes an outstanding group or organization taking purposeful action to improve community resilience in Maricopa County, according to a press release.

Dr. Judith Rodin’s five characteristics of community resilience including: aware, diverse, integrated, self-regulating, and adaptive, inspired the award criteria.

“We are honored to recognize the City of Scottsdale with the inaugural Resilience Prize ---  and applaud them for being responsive to community members like Bill Walton. Growing pains can be difficult, but the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt is a special place because, for many residents, the ‘dividends’ are its raison d’ être  ---  what better way to celebrate,” said Elizabeth Wentz, the director of the Knowledge Exchange for Resilience initiative and dean of social sciences in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at ASU.

In the 1960s, the City of Scottsdale was aware that it needed to tackle an age-old flooding problem and seek a solution. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers suggested building a human-made concrete channel.

However, the residents of Scottsdale had a different idea. With diverse groups coming together and engaged citizens like Bill Walton leading the effort, they were able to forge the creative solution of a greenbelt.

“By the work of citizens who knew the terrain, farmers in the area were able to demonstrate that it didn’t need to be that way [concrete channel] and would provide a tremendous new asset to the City of Scottsdale,” said Mr. Lane.

Today, the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt is an 11-mile oasis filled with beautiful parks, lakes, golf courses, and many other amenities.

During times of rain, the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt is an efficient flood-control system that protects Scottsdale residents from floods. When the sun shines, the greenbelt is a popular recreation area with a multitude of dividends.

Residents can go on a run, ride their bike, play basketball, try their luck at fishing, or enjoy the greenery, the press release stated.

“Resilience is about designing, planning, and adapting  --- we know a lot about what might happen in the future but we don’t know everything. Community resilience is about being aware so that we can respond quickly as the world changes,” said Ms. Wentz.