Neighborhood Highlights
Bird Watching at Water Ranch
Spend a few hours bird watching. The Preserve at the Water Ranch was built to educate people on the conservation and propagation of Arizona’s natural surroundings. The man-made lakes filled with pumped recycled water and the well-tended landscape simulating desert foliage and trails has become a natural attraction for over 200 varieties of birds and wildlife as well as campers and birdwatchers. Go camping and enjoy the Water Ranch for a fee or join tours organized by volunteers and nature lovers.
Hale Center Theater
One of the five longest-running, privately-owned theaters in the U.S., run by the Hale family. Theater buffs will enjoy watching a play or a musical seated in one of the 350 chairs – all arranged around the stage in a circle. This arrangement provides the audience a more intimate experience and allows better interaction with the play. You can spend an evening with your family bedazzled by the spectacular performances at the Hale Center Theater.
Koli Equestrian Center
For horseback riding fans of all ages, an ideal day out can be found at the Koli Equestrian Center, situated in the core of the Gila River Indian Reservation. There are miles of wonderful scenery and splendid riding trails to be had for the rider’s enjoyment. The Center’s qualified wranglers are always happy to share their vast knowledge about everything you need to know when taking one of their riding adventures. All the horses are well trained and, nicest of all, there are no boring “head to tail” single-line formations; instead, everyone is spread out – giving all the riders a chance to get to know each other.
Morrison Ranch: Past and Present
For more than 80 years, the Morrison Family has been deeply rooted in the Town of Gilbert, Arizona: growing cotton, corn, and alfalfa on its 3,000-acre farm as well as producing milk at its innovative dairy, with a herd of 13,000 cows. Today, three generations of the Morrison family are actively associated with transitioning this land into Morrison Ranch, a community that hearkens back to its agricultural roots while actively promoting community amongst the residents. Young Howard and Leatha Morrison trekked a thousand miles west from Oklahoma in the early 1920s, only to find that times were just as tough for dirt farmers in Arizona. Even so, they dug their roots deep into the small farming town of Gilbert and have humbly cleared land for.
