Update September 6, 2013: I’ve decided to give this old post some new life in Patti Schulz Maghamfar’s “Fall” blog carnival on her website One Road at a Time. Hope you’ll enjoy my interpretation of the theme and then head over to Patti’s site to see what other bloggers are saying about “fall”.
Arizona Falls — a surprise!
While visiting family in Arizona, my sister took me to a very unusual “cool” place in hot Phoenix that I hadn’t seen on previous trips.
She and her husband came across it unexpectedly while out for a bike ride one day. I’m guessing that most travelers and a large percentage of residents don’t know about this interesting site either.
Arizona Falls is a historic waterfall formed by a natural 20-foot drop along the Arizona Canal between 56th and 58th Streets. It was the site of a hydroelectric plant built in 1902 and shut down in 1950. It reopened in 2003 as a restored plant and neighborhood gathering place.
What’s surprising is that it is a work of art designed by two renowned Boston artists, Lajos Heder and Mags Harries. The structures, while functional, are designed for visual and social enjoyment. There are viewing platforms and large stone blocks for seating so that the sight and sound of the falls can be enjoyed.
Phoenix may sizzle in the summer, but Arizona Falls is a very cool place.
Beautiful 🙂
Thank you 🙂
This is indeed very interesting! Seems like a great thing to do with a closed hydroelectric plant.
It really was a great idea, wasn’t it?
I’ve never heard of this but I love the idea of turning something functional into a work of art at the same time. Very interesting and very modern.
It was such fun to learn about and see this place. Glad you found it interesting.
Very interesting! You’re right, I’ve never heard of them before either. Nice shots 🙂
Thanks, Michael!
Great catch. It’s good to see public space being reinvented in new ways for everyone to enjoy.
Thanks. It would be nice if Arizona Falls could be an inspiration for other facilities.
What a great find Cathy….nice shots.
Thanks for posting to Travel Photo Thursday.
I’ve got to thank my sister for taking me there. I didn’t know what to expect when she first mentioned it.
Such an interesting discovery! You said they now use it as a neighborhood gathering place- I wonder if you can have picnics and parties there- really cool!
Good question about parties, Jade. I don’t know if organized events like picnics or parties can take place there or not. I’ll try to find out. There’s a park next to the falls, too.
Wonderful joyful discovery!
Good way of putting it, Charles. It really did make me smile!
How very excellent! Hydroelectric plants usually have a certain desperate industrial feel to them, but not this one. Thankfully,,,
So right, Raymond, about the “desperate industrial feel” of these types of places. That’s why Arizona Falls seems so special.
I really like how this has been designed as a piece of art – rather than just an industrial site plonked in the middle of town. I bet it is refreshing to be around on a hot day.
Julia
Thanks for the comment, Julia. I agree!
Wow, this is a nice way to see an hydroelectric plant!
I never thought a hydroelectric plant could be so interesting! 🙂
For all the times I’ve been to Phoenix (my father lives there) I’ve never heard of this place. That’s a great picture & in 110F heat I’d be hanging out there a lot.
You’ll have to ask your dad if he knows of it!
I love this! As I sit here in the Irish summer, I long for a real scorcher of a day. But then, when you’re in the midst of a scorcher, you long for a cool breeze and the splash of water, no? So your post is perfect daydream fodder! Thanks for sharing. 😉
Thanks, Katrina — I’m kind of craving a scorcher myself. Been very cool here in S.F.
What a novel thought – to have the plant designed with style, taste and art in mind. Instead of just a hydro plant it becomes a place to enjoy. Really like this.
Nice to see some cool places for those hot southern Arizonans.
Will keep this in mind when we visit Phoenix- probably early next year.
This was pretty creative! Most of my associations with Phoenix are waterless:-)
Yes, Phoenix is a cool place to visit and you took us to a very unique place. Good job finding it.
How cool is that?! Thanks for linking up!
Beautiful, functional and creative.
Those two have done some pretty interesting collaborations. Thanks for sharing this, Cathy!
I used to travel to Phoenix all of the time with my ex. I never heard of this! What a great idea. And I agree, Phoenix is a very cool place to visit. Good post, Cathy 🙂
This is one reason why it’s wonderful when you know a local in places you visit — even if many Phonecians(?), Phoenixites(?), Phoenixians(?), People from Phoenix don’t know about these falls.