The new White Tank Library & Nature Center opened Nov. 13, 2010.
On Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, Maricopa County Parks and the Maricopa County Library District dedicated the new, environmentally friendly White Tank Library and Nature Center. Located just outside the entrance to White Tank Mountain Regional Park, patrons visit the nature center and gift shop, browse through the library or sit outside and enjoy the panoramic views.
The 29,000 square foot facility blends in with the surrounding area.
The 29,000 square foot facility blends into the surrounding desert area, but houses an approximately 3,000 square foot nature center with a gift shop and a library with views of the surrounding White Tank Mountains and desert.
The facility houses a large 3,000 square foot Park Nature Center.
Visitors experience views from the outdoor patio, park benches and windows inside the facility.
Visitors relax on a patio outside or on park benches where they enjoy snacks from vending machines or the gift shop inside. Visitors also walk a path lined with White Tank Mountain Medicinal Native Plants. The facilities close proximity to Luke Air Force Base also allows glimpses of fighter jets as they fly overhead.
A sign on a path outside the facility identifies White Tank Mountain medicinal native plants.
Desert creatures on display in the Park Nature Center include the blacktail rattlesnake.
The gift shop contains Arizona apparel, snacks, books and souvenirs. Volunteers help visitors and talk to them about the desert creatures housed in aquariums behind glass. The creatures include a Gila monster, tarantulas and rattlesnakes.
The Park Nature Center gift shop not only sells gifts but also contains fascinating wildlife and Arizona displays.
This YouTube video produced by Maricopa County Office of Communications explains the planning and building of the White Tank Library and Nature Center.
Photos by Janice Semmel
YouTube courtesy of Maricopa County Office of Communications
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