County officials this morning cut the ribbon to officially open the Peralta Regional Park, located a few miles north of U.S. 60 near Gold Canyon in the northern portion of Pinal County.

The park, a centerpiece of the 2015 Open Space and Trails Master Plan, is 498 acres in size and part of land leased from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Open Space and Trails Director Kent Taylor told guests at today's ribbon-cutting event that it is planned and designed as a unique backcountry recreation experience with a soft touch on the natural environment.

Constructed in less than a year, the park cost $5.4 million, $2.6 million of which came from a Land and Water Grant through Arizona Parks and Trails. The project was designed by EPG, and Hawkke was the general contractor. Only 22 acres were disturbed as part of the project, with 105 saguaros put into a nursery and then replanted after construction, while 24 saguaros were given to the Tonto National Forest.

Key features of the park are:

-9 miles of nonmotorized trails that range from barrier-free to challenging

-31 car and tent camping sites

-18 picnic sites, including 2 large group ramadas

-1/2 mile Interpretive trail

-Stargazing node, perfect for the area's dark skies

-Equestrian staging area

-Waterless restrooms

The park is open from dawn until 10 p.m. every day. Day-use entry is $7 per vehicle, while overnight camping costs $10 per night for all individual sites, and group sites are $35 per night. For more information and to reserve camping sites and ramadas, please visit:  www.pinal.gov/Peralta-Regional-Park

District 5 Supervisor and current Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff Serdy is delighted with how the park has turned out. "We're so glad it's finally here, so many years and months, and so much sweat put into this, and now we get to see it in action," Serdy commented. "This land is going to be frozen in time to preserve these 500 acres. This just complements the Superstition region, and we're thrilled to have it."

Serdy continued, "I was glad to see all the people that came out, and you realize that all these people had a part in making this happen. We are so grateful to all our partners and stakeholders for delivering this vision in such a beautiful and natural manner."