Peoria is one of Arizona’s fastest-growing communities, covering 180 square miles with a population of 150,000.
The city’s tremendous growth has been fueled by its convenient location in the Northwest Valley, with access to major freeways, the state’s second-largest lake and proximity to Phoenix. This progressive yet grounded and well-balanced city is positioned to be a key player in Arizona’s economic future.
Education is a top priority in the community. The Peoria Unified School District, the third-largest district in Arizona, prides itself on excellent schools, award-winning teachers, high test scores, specialized programs and championship sports programs.
The city is known for its variety of recreational programs and activities. Lake Pleasant Regional Park, a desert reservoir with more than 10,000 acres of water and 13,600 acres of land, offers hiking, watercraft rentals, boat slips, fishing supplies and sunset dinner cruises. Rio Vista Community Park, 2009 winner of Nickelodeon’s Parent Pick Award, is a 52-acre oasis in the heart of Peoria that features an urban fishing lake, lighted sand-volleyball courts and softball fields, a skatepark and a state-of-the-art recreation center. Peoria is also home to more than 35 recreational trails.
The Arizona Broadway Theatre and Theater Works produce critically acclaimed shows in Peoria year-round, and host numerous programs and special events each year. In 2007, the city completed the Center for Performing Arts, which is home to Theater Works and its award-winning community theater and education programs.
The Challenger Space Center is space-themed learning center and living memorial to the astronauts who lost their lives aboard the space shuttle Challenger in 1986. The center offers a wide variety of activities, including stargazing, space camps, a planetarium and telescope classes.
Spring Training home to the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners, the Peoria Sports Complex (www.peoriasportscomplex.com) draws nearly 230,000 fans for Cactus League baseball action each year. During the rest of the year, the complex hosts extended Spring Training, Summer Rookie League, Instructional League and Arizona Fall League baseball. Numerous other organizations, including the city, also use the facility. In any given year, the complex hosts a variety of events including concerts, auto shows, recreational-vehicle sales, home-and-garden expos, arts-and-crafts festivals, charity events and private functions.
Across the street, Peoria’s 83rd Avenue Entertainment District boasts one of the highest concentrations of restaurants and bars in greater Phoenix. Diverse shopping centers are scattered throughout Peoria. The new Park West offers an upscale shopping experience in a “lifestyle and entertainment” environment in southern Peoria. More than 2 million square feet of retail space is under development in northern Peoria, including Vistancia Centre and Cibola Vista Commercial Centre. |
