The Time Is Now to Save Carefree’s Open Space

“While Carefree benefits from a robust portfolio of open space, much of this land is not accessible to the general public. During public outreach, residents routinely expressed a strong desire to improve upon this condition through acquisition of more accessible open space and/or enhancing accessibility to existing open space.”

The preceding is a powerful message found within the Open Space & Environmental Stewardship section of the Carefree General Plan. During the development of the Carefree General Plan, Carefree residents spoke clearly and consistently. In November 2024, Carefree voters approved the plan and voiced a shared priority: Preserving open space must remain central to Carefree’s identity and future.

What is Carefree Park and how does it fit in?

Carefree Park is a nonprofit organization made up of Carefree residents who are committed to advancing these goals as well. Specifically, our focus is a 48-acre parcel of pristine undeveloped Arizona State Land Trust property at the southeast corner of Mule Train Road and Cave Creek Road.

This land – Carefree’s last remaining 48-acres of accessible Sonoran Desert – is home to hundreds of mature saguaros, native vegetation, and thriving wildlife habitat.

Our goal is to establish the land as Carefree’s only publicly accessible nature preserve, with walking paths open for all to enjoy, and to protect it for future generations.

That vision is not abstract. It is about protecting real land, real Sonoran Desert, and the quality of life that defines Carefree.

Today, that vision is at risk

These 48-acres of pristine desert – directly adjacent to new development – are now at a critical tipping point. Once this land is sold and built upon, it is gone forever. No future plan, no good intention, can bring it back. If Carefree truly values the priorities residents articulated in the General Plan, the moment to act is now.

Carefree Park exists to help make that community vision a reality, but we cannot do it alone. Preserving this land requires leadership, urgency, and community-wide commitment. Delay favors developers. Action favors Carefree.

We urge the Town of Carefree and its residents to step forward – now – while this opportunity still exists. Open space is not just scenery. It is our legacy.

Come see for yourself

Anyone who would like to experience the beauty of this magnificent piece of the Sonoran Desert can come see it for themselves later this month.

On Saturday morning, March 21st, you are invited to join a guided tour of the 48-acres. You will walk the land and see for yourself exactly why it is worth preserving for future generations. Space is limited. Reservations are required.

Come join us at the Sonoran Safari. Attendees are kindly requested to register in advance at carefreepark.org/events

Now is the time for Carefree and the surrounding communities to come together. If this opportunity is lost, it is lost forever. The funding gap may be substantial, but so is our community’s capacity to achieve a great result.

Respectfully, The Board Members of Carefree Park Wendy Mattes, President Ariane Buser, Vice President Janice Castro, Secretary Jo Gemmill, Board Member at Large Gene Ullrich, Director of Communication

For more information visit carefreepark.org.