Downtown Gilbert evolving into a cultural hub

WOW!  The Heritage district in downtown Gilbert is fast becoming a foodie hub as
well as an educational center with the soon to be open St. Xavier University.The new building will be a four year Catholic University opening in the fall of 2015.It is a 87,000 square foot facility and will offer business, liberal arts, nursing and graduate programs.
It is located on Page Ave. behind the new parking garage.

     Frontside, The new Heritage Building has quickly filled up with Zinburger,a Fox Concept restaurant, Lolo's Chicken and Waffles, also in Scottsdale, BarrioQueen, also in Scottsdale and Pomo Pizzeria, with locations in Phoenix and Scottsdale. Peterson's Ice Cream has hung their retro sign and will soon be another addition
to the diverse smorgasbord of cuisine.
     Just a tad up Gilbert Road Snooze Eatery, based out of Denver, has opened in a
freestanding building.  Our options have certainly expanded and there are rumors of
more eateries to come.  Along with the old favorites such as The Farmhouse, Joe's BBQ,
Liberty Market and Oregano's our palates are sure to be satisfied.
 

Gilbert waterfront communities

     Yes we live in the desert, but here in Gilbert, Arizona we have lovely lake communities.
Gilbert has eight lake communities, three which allow water skiing.


     Val Vista Lakes, a 900 acre master planned community with an outstanding clubhouse
and offering several housing options from townhouses to luxury homes.  Val Vista Lakes
offers walking paths, greenbelts, tennis and racquetball courts, a sand beach pool and weight
training facilities.  The elementary school is also located within the community,

     The Islands,  is one of the larger lake communities in the valley. Pontoon boating is popular
in The Islands and housing ranging from apartments and townhomes to a variety of single
family homes all within their own communities around the beautiful lakes.

     Playa del Rey,  boasts a community boat ramp and allows water skiing.  There is an island
in the middle of the lake. Single family homes range in size from 2500 square feet to 4500
square feet.

     Santan Lakeside Estates,  is another ski community and has twenty waterfront lots of an
acre located at the base of the San Tan mountains.

     Stonebridge Lakes, has two community pools and is close to Freestone Park and downtown
historical Gilbert. It is also nearby to popular jogging and biking trails.

     Lago Estancia, a lovely community steps away from the downtown heritage district with
many new restaurants has wonderful walking paths around the lakes.

Crystal Point, is a luxury gated community.  It has a water ski lake with a jump and boasts
custom homes range in size from 3400 square feet to 7500 square feet.

Wind Drift, has fifty waterfront lots and is one of the smaller lake communities. It is near
to Freestone Park and is close by to Gilbert High School.

Gilbert Historical Museum

 

 The Gilbert Historical Society leased the old Gilbert Elementary School in 1982 to house
the artifacts,photographs, and farm machinery that residents had been gathering for a museum to display everything used during the first half of the 20th century.
     Three years later The Gilbert School Board sold the building along with 5 acres to the
Society.  Many citizens whose names are recognizable from our streets, neighborhoods, and
parks collected and donated items for future citizens to enjoy.
     Stop by and enjoy a slice of history.

Gilbert's incredible Cosmo Dog Park

Cosmo Dog Park is an approximate 4 acre playground for canines located off Ray Road.
Named for "Cosmo", the first police dog in Gilbert, the park was constructed in 2006 and
has been visited by Gilbert residents more than 600,000 times a year.
The park has amenities that include a lake using reclaimed water,roughly 4 fenced acres,
separate areas for more active and less active and timid dogs, lighting for evening use,
pet and human drinking fountains, benches, bike racks, and multi-use equestrian trails, as well
as ramadas with bbq grills.



Park hours are 5:30am-10:00pm daily and are not affected by holidays.
There are park rules and regulations to follow as well.
Cosmo Dog Park is hugely successful and is being used as a model for other
communities.  Come visit with your favorite canine and enjoy the community
spirit!


For more information:

http://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation

Gilbert - 20-30 years from now, what we can expect

Looking ahead not too far in the future Gilbert's population will soar to over 330,000 residents.
The central business corridor will be home to thriving high wage jobs in the science, engineering
and math industries as well as technology.
Gilbert's first four year institution, Saint Xavier University, will grow to meet the needs of students across the valley and state. Parks will be built out providing an environment where people can
live, work, and play.
Gilbert has been and will be a community of choice with an influx of new families looking for
all that Gilbert has to offer.

FYI  Community Service
Gilbert looking to collect over 70,000 meals for local families!

http://www.gilbertaz.gov/residents/town-programs/gilbert-feeding-families

Gilbert Arizona trivia

Interesting facts about the town of Gilbert!

1. 24th safest place to live in the United States
2. Has the top dog park in the nation
3. Gilbert parks have over 30 picnic ramadas
4. Has 2 riparian preserves
5. The first elementary school was built in 1913
6. The largest employers are: Gilbert Public Schools, Banner and Mercy Health,Go Daddy, Fry's Grocery stores and the Town of Gilbert
7. The iconic Gilbert water tower was built in 1925
8. In 2010 listed as the "36th best place to live in the USA"
9. Incorporated in 1920, with growth fueled by the construction of the Roosevelt Dam and the Eastern Consolidated Canals
10. From 1900 until the late 1920's Gilbert was the Hay Capital of the World