88 FUN & GAMES BEST PLACE FOR A PICNIC MARGARET T. HANCE PARK 67 W. CULVER ST. 602-534-2406 PHOENIX.GOV Once Phoenix’s sadistic summer temps give way to highs in the 80s, pack a blanket and a basket and bike over to Margaret T. Hance Park. Roosevelt Row, with its roughly 9,000 lunch options, will get you stocked for a lazy, sun-splashed lunch at this 32-acre oasis of green. Nearby the beautiful Japanese Friend- ship Garden beckons. Dogs and their chil- dren meander through on their way to the nearby playground and the dog park. Every so often you’ll see a volleyball player sprinting and laughing to track down an errant spike. After three (four? five??) months of being bottled up inside, an after- noon this mild feels like real living. i i i BEST PLACE TO SEE LOVEBIRDS KIWANIS PARK MILL AVENUE AND ALL AMERICAN WAY, TEMPE 480-350-5200 TEMPE.GOV Lovebirds — rosy-faced, though they’re also called peach-faced — are not native to the Valley. They hail from southwestern Africa and appeared here in the 1980s. Exactly how they arrived is shrouded in urban legends of escape, whether from an aviary or pet store or overturned truck. As they have adapted, they’ve become part of the Phoenix biome, and birders seek them out for their antics and colors. Spot them in backyards, at golf courses like TPC Scottsdale, on restaurant patios (hello, Someburros on Frye Road) and other parks, such as Encanto. Or head for the most reliable location: in the palm trees ringing the fake lake at Kiwanis Park. Just listen for the birds’ squeaky, screechy, chattery call and look up. While you’re there, take a stroll and observe other desert dwellers, water birds and migrators — like ruby-hued vermilion flycatchers and the so-called “butterbutts,” or yellow-rumped warblers — in the spring. i i i BEST PLACE TO GO BIRDING RIPARIAN PRESERVE AT WATER RANCH 2757 E. GUADALUPE ROAD, GILBERT 480-503-6200 GILBERTAZ.GOV Birding: It’s not just for older folks anymore. Birders are having a moment, thanks to viral online film “Listers,” cheeky comedy series “The Residence” (in which the main char- acter is an avid birder), a slew of bestselling bird books and celebrity birder duo Christian Cooper and Amy Tan. Though it’s hard not to find birds in the Valley, the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch is known as a hotspot for the number and variety of species in a relatively compact 110 acres. Desert birds like quail and doves, waterfowl like herons, ducks, cormorants and egrets, and migrators, depending on the season, are all regulars, thanks to the preserve’s manmade lake and seven recharge ponds that filter wastewater and create a thriving wetland habitat. This city park is free and highly accessible because of the smooth, flat dirt trails (power wheelchair users can even traverse most of them), floating boardwalk around the lake and abundant benches. Never birded before? Grab your binoculars and go; you’ll see someone with a telescopic lens camera who will be happy to help. i i i BEST BIKE PATH THE GRAND CANAL PHOENIX.GOV Ranging 12 miles from 75th Avenue in the west Valley to the north shores of Tempe Town Lake, the Grand Canal is a true marvel of engineering rooted in the 19th century pioneer canals of the Salt River. Our favorite portion of the canal runs from Seventh Street to Seventh Avenue in uptown Phoenix. There, recent murals have added a clap of color and culture to what used to be a land of bland north of downtown. At day’s end, there’s no better way to stay in shape if you live in Phoenix proper than by grabbing your running shoes or bike and hitting the Grand Canal, especially if you’re a fan of ducks or the occasional wayward cormorant. BEST WALKING PATH MURPHY BRIDLE PATH CENTRAL AVENUE BETWEEN BETHANY HOME ROAD AND NORTHERN AVENUE Originally designed for horses well over a century ago, Murphy Bridle Path is now a favorite of runners, walkers, dogs and bike riders. Located on Central Avenue between Bethany Home Road and the canal to the north at Ruth Avenue, this tree-lined dirt path is a great way to get in your steps with the benefit of some shade without leaving the heart of the city. Do an out-and-back or get adventurous and rack up some miles by tacking on part of the canal trail. People traverse it at any time of day, but it’s most lively in the morning before the sun begins its cruel work. Stop at Little O’s Cafe inside the O.H.S.O. for a treat for your pupster and a coffee for yourself (or an adult bevvy, we won’t judge) and ogle the lovely homes that line the path on your way. i i i BEST TRAIL RIDES THE STABLES AT FORT MCDOWELL ADVENTURES 14803 N. HIAWATHA HOOD ROAD, FORT MCDOWELL 480-789-8435 THESTABLESATFORTMCDOWELLADVENTURE.COM When you’re on a trail ride, being told you got the “spirited” horse is a genteel way of saying, “Hold on tight.” You won’t have that worry with the horses at The Stables at Fort McDowell Adventures. For more than three decades, they’ve led guided horseback rides through the Sonoran Desert. Their well- trained mounts are calm and gentle, making it easy to relax and soak in the scenery as the trail winds through the Verde River corridor with sweeping views of Four Peaks. Along the way, guides share stories about the area’s history, wildlife and desert landscape. The horses take the summer off and typically return to the trails in mid-September. i i i BEST DOG PARK CHAPARRAL DOG PARK 5401 N. HAYDEN ROAD, SCOTTSDALE 480-312-2353 SCOTTSDALEAZ.GOV/PARKS/DOG-PARKS Truth be told, your dog probably doesn’t give a bone which park they end up at, for once you extended the invite, it was game on. Pet parents, though, can have preferences, and this Scottsdale fenced arena for frolicking dogs has plenty to offer. It’s open at 5:30 every morning and lets dogs party until 10 p.m. Its three acres give dogs plenty of room to sniff and sprawl. It’s also split into two parts: one for active dogs and the other for those who tend to be on the passive side. Water fountains, play features and benches for humans to take a load off are also among the amenities. If it suits you better, bring a lawn chair for maximum comfort while watching the antics. i i i BEST PLACE TO PET DOGS STRAY CAFÉ 710 E. VIRGINIA AVE. 480-306-4267 STRAYCAFE.ORG You’ve been able to meet new animal friends at cat cafes around the Valley for years. But until this summer, Phoenix had no such place for dog people. Then Stray Café opened in August. There you can play with cute dogs and, if the stars align, make a connection and take one home. Owners Jamie Benfield and Matthew Meagher partner with local rescues to bring adoptable dogs to the space. On every visit, you’ll find a variety of sizes and breeds to hang out with. Stray Café also sells a selection of snacks and drinks. A coffee and a corgi? Sign us up.