The Phoenix Points of Pride are 33 landmarks and attractions within the Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...

, city limits that are claimed to represent the best features of the city for both residents and visitors. Each Point of Pride was selected through an election process that involved 40,000 residents voting for their favorite destinations and resources.

The Points of Pride include man-made structures, such as St. Mary's Basilica, the Phoenix Zoo

Phoenix Zoo

The Phoenix Zoo opened in 1962 and is the largest non-profit zoo in the United States. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the zoo was founded by Robert Maytag, a member of the Maytag family, and operates on of land in the Papago Park area of Phoenix. It has been designated as a Phoenix Point of...

 and US Airways Center

US Airways Center

US Airways Center is a sports and entertainment arena located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It opened in 1992, and is the home of the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association, the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association, and the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena...

, as well as naturally occurring structures, such as Camelback Mountain

Camelback Mountain

Camelback Mountain is a mountain in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. The name is derived from its shape, which resembles the hump and head of a kneeling camel. The mountain, a prominent landmark for the metropolitan Phoenix valley, is located in the Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon Recreation Area...

 and Hole-in-the-Rock

Hole-in-the-Rock (Papago Park)

Hole-in-the-Rock is a natural geological formation in Papago Park, a municipal park of Phoenix and Tempe, Arizona.-Description:Hole-in-the-Rock is a series of openings eroded in a small hill composed of bare red arkosic conglomerate sandstone...

 at Papago Park

Papago Park

Papago Park is a municipal park of the cities of Phoenix and Tempe, Arizona, USA. It has been designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride.-Description:...

.

The first 25 Points of Pride were selected in 1992. The program was seen as a way to boost civic morale in the wake of negative national publicity for Phoenix in the wake of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday controversy. Cricket Wireless Pavilion and the Deer Valley Rock Art Center were added in 1996 and 2000 respectively, and the Japanese Friendship Garden

Ro Ho En

Ro Ho En, the Japanese Friendship Garden, is located in Phoenix, Arizona, at 1125 N. 3rd Ave. The garden encompasses and includes a tea garden and tea house. It is a joint project of the cities of Phoenix and Himeji, Japan.-External links:* *...

, Ben Avery Shooting Facility

Ben Avery Shooting Facility

The Ben Avery Shooting Facility is a public outdoor shooting range located in northern Phoenix, Arizona. At 1650 acres it is the largest public operated shooting facility in the United States. It is operated by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and is identified as one of the Phoenix Points...

 and the Thomas J. Pappas School

Thomas J. Pappas School

The Thomas J. Pappas Schools were a series of related alternative schools located in the Phoenix, Arizona area. A part of the Maricopa County Regional School District, the Thomas J. Pappas schools provided primary and secondary education to homeless children in the area. They were named for...

 were selected in 2004. Arizona State University at the West Campus, Burton Barr Central Library

Burton Barr Central Library

The Burton Barr Central Library is the central library in Phoenix, Arizona. It is the flagship location and administrative headquarters for the Phoenix Public Library....

 and Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center (the area's first Jewish synagogue

Synagogue

A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...

) are the most recent Points of Pride, selected in 2008 .

The Phoenix Pride Commission is responsible for maintaining the list of Phoenix Points of Pride and promoting these unique metropolitan area resources. In the past, the commission accepted nominations from the residents and selected locations for the Points of Pride ballot. The residents voted for these locations and the commission determined how many of the locations receiving the greatest number of votes were designated as a Point of Pride.

In July 2008, Phoenix mayor Phil Gordon

Phil Gordon (politician)

Phil Gordon is an American Democratic party politician, and the 58th and current mayor of Phoenix, Arizona. He was sworn in as mayor on January 2, 2004.-Early life, education, and early career:...

 changed the Phoenix Pride Commission to an ad hoc

Ad hoc

Ad hoc is a Latin phrase meaning "for this". It generally signifies a solution designed for a specific problem or task, non-generalizable, and not intended to be able to be adapted to other purposes. Compare A priori....

commission, meaning that it will meet on a much more infrequent basis due to budget shortfalls; this could mean the effective end of the Points of Pride program..

External links

• City of Phoenix website: Phoenix Points of Pride