In July 1998, the town of Queen Creek celebrated the opening of the Queen Creek Youth Center with  local youngsters helping to bury a time capsule set to be opened far into the future – 2023.

That time capsule was opened on Wednesday, July 19, and quite a haul was found.

The time capsule contained a Motorola cell phone, a Mr. Potato Head keychain and a bulldog Beanie Baby, according to press release.

How times have changed for Queen Creek in the last 25 years.

In 1998, the town’s population was about 3,600 and there was only one park. Today, the town has about 76,500 residents with three parks and another. Frontier Family Park, on the way.

“I’m proud of this town for many reasons, but none more than the fact that we are a family friendly community,” Queen Creek Mayor Julia Wheatley, who was on hand when the time capsule was opened, stated in a press release. “We have a safe and thriving community that will be home to families for generations to come. As part of this, we’re committed to creating places for our youth to gather and recreate. From the Youth Center that was located at Founders’ Park 25 years ago to the upcoming Frontier Family Park, complete with a recreation and aquatic center, we’ve always had a vision for youth in Queen Creek.”

In addition to Wheatley, Town Manager Bruce Gardner and Queen Creek’s first mayor, Mark Schnepf, also spoke.

“It is an honor to be invited back to celebrate this occasion,” Schnepf stated in the release. “I absolutely love this community – it is always exciting to remember our roots while we plan for the future. My family and I are still actively involved in Queen Creek and it is amazing to see the sense of community maintained after all of these years – and we look forward to what’s coming.”

The recreation and aquatic center, scheduled to open in late 2024, will include various sport courts, a fitness area, teen room, childcare and classrooms. The outdoor aquatic center will include a zero-depth entry play pool, competition/lap pool, lazy river and slides.

The 85-acre Frontier Family Park is set to open by in early 2024, and will feature an inclusive play area, 5-acre fishing lake, lighted ball fields, picnic areas, splash pad, basketball and volleyball courts. There will also be 24 pickleball courts and a 1.5-mile multiuse path spanning the perimeter of the park. The parks is off Signal Butte Road, north of Queen Creek Road. 

The town is also in the process of completing phase II of Mansel Carter Oasis Park. The 13-acre expansion is set to open in early 2024 and will include tennis courts, volleyball courts, pickleball courts, pump track, additional restrooms and parking, and passive green space. Mansel Carter Oasis Park is at 19535 E. Appleby Road.