P-S AZ News
According to a current newspaper article*, Rim Country (specifically the Payson/Pine/Strawberry area) residents would do well to maintain a healthy fear of catastrophic fires.
Due to what appears to have been a careless campfire, Payson recently lost a portion of it's beloved Water Wheel, a local hangout for many families, teens and young children.
Indoor activities and video games too often dominate a young child's life. For the families of Northern Arizona and Rim Country, the outdoor offerings are of top priority and our reason for residence in this part of the country.
Monsoon season passed us over this year, leaving a fire susceptible habitat in its' place. Between the weekday closing of the Tonto Natural Bridge state park and the devastating hit to The Water Wheel, families are left with fewer choices for outdoor recreational fun.
One of the highlights of Northern Arizona living is our access to numerous trails, forest areas and outdoor activities available to our children. The idea that these resources would be removed from our reach, based on careless fires, is a sorrow of deep magnitude.
The loss of this popular family destination is being felt by many of the Rim Country community members. Especially, perhaps, by those with young children. While once we could offer our kids (and visitors) a natural piece of history just 10 minutes away, that is now a joy...put on hold, if not gone forever.
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