Parks and Trails in North Central Phoenix

The corridor's outdoor life is unusually good for an urban neighborhood, largely because three different systems overlap here: a historic equestrian path, a canal network and two mountain preserves.

The Murphy Bridle Path

A soft dirt path running along Central Avenue, originally built for horses and still used by them. For most residents it functions as the neighborhood's running and dog-walking spine, shaded by mature trees for much of its length.

Mountain preserves

• North Mountain Preserve, at the corridor's northern edge, with summit trails and shaded picnic areas.
• Piestewa Peak, a short drive east, one of the valley's most used hikes.
• Both are close enough for a pre-work climb, which is exactly how locals use them in summer.

Canal and city parks

The Arizona Canal path offers flat, uninterrupted miles for cycling. Steele Indian School Park provides large open lawns and community events south of the corridor. Smaller neighborhood parks fill in between.

The seasonal pattern

October through April, everything is outside. June through September, everything is outside before seven in the morning. The shade canopy here extends the usable season by weeks compared to newer neighborhoods.