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East Valley man pens a loving guide to S. Mountain

GETOUT STAFF

Moadag – or South Mountain – is one of the most sacred sites for Arizona’s four southern tribes.

While 20 Arizona tribes attach some cultural signifi cance to the mountain, it has strong religious signifi cance for the Gila River Indian Community, the AkChin Indian Community, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and the Tohono O’odham Nation.

Andy Lenartz can understand that attachment.

He, wife Tracy and their two daughters, Cicily and Ruby, have pretty much the same attachment.

Now, Lenartz has poured that love into a book devoted exclusively to South Mountain.

“South Mountain Park and Preserve” – part of the Southwest Adventure Series published by the University of New Mexico Press – is as much an homage to the mountain as it is a detailed 125-page guide to its trails, plants and animals.

“Spending time at South Mountain is one of our favorite things to do as a family,” said the Minnesota native, who has lived in Ahwatukee since 2008.

A psychology professor at Gateway Community College, Lenartz plumbs the South Mountain Park and Preserve in every conceivable way, writing about its history and geology as well as its biology and recreational opportunities.

“This incredible local treasure is the largest municipal park in the United States, a stunning example of the Sonoran Desert environment located right in our backyard,” said Lenartz said, who includes familiar spots and new discoveries in his book.

The mountain has been an endless magnet for Lenartz and his family, who spend several days a week sampling its treasures.

“We spend several days a week at the park either hiking, biking, having a picnic, or taking some time to refl ect on what is meaningful in life,” he said. “I enjoy spending time volunteering there as a Park Steward. And I was even able to write portions of the book at the park.”

Lenartz started the book out of another passion, noting that “encouraging people to get outdoors was a signifi cant motivator for me.”

“I have seen clearly – both in research and my own personal experience – the transformative eff ect that time

Community college professor Andy Lenartz recently published a comprehensive guide to South Mountain. (File photo)

See LENARTZ on page 39

New app makes hiking fun for everyone

BY ANNIKA TOMLIN GetOut Staff Writer

With mountain views in every direction, Arizona is a hiker’s dream. However, navigating the trails is not always easy when it’s a family aff air. WishTrip is a hiking app that injects fun in the activity.

“The app was conceived by our founder and still CEO Yakov Slushtz and what happened was he was hiking with his wife,” said Sarah Heim, WishTrip marketing director.

“They were looking for a landmark and they were searching and searching. They said, ‘You know we have wonderful GPS for our cars. How come we don’t have the same thing for the great outdoors?’ That’s where the idea of WishTrip was born.”

In 2017, WishTrip began as a “navigation app,” according to Hein, and but evolved into an “adventure creation app.”

“One of our core functionalities is that our app provides very accurate and easy to follow point by point instructions,” Hein said.

“Whether you are following someone else’s trail that they created or whether you are following one of our games, or whether you are in a WishTrip destination following a trail that they created.”

The following year, WishTrip added games and activities the following year. Papago Park is the only hiking range featured on WishTrip.

“The reason we chose Phoenix, Arizona, to unveil the games, and why we created them in Papago Park for free is because Phoenix has nice weather all year round,” Hein said. “Phoenix is a tech-savvy metropolitan area because we want a population who will be able to easily adapt to the app.

“Papago Park in particular has very rich history and very rich wildlife, so we were able to create very interesting games with really interesting content in a relatively small area.”

The Papago Park games and activities are split into four age groups.

“We have a game for 3- to 7-yearolds called Desert Explorers,” Hein explains. “This is a game that teaches kids about the Sonoran Desert and it’s very interactive because kids this age learn by doing and by action.

“For example, one of the activities is to feel the leaves of this particular type of plant. Another is pretend you are a cactus and grow very slowly.”

Children ages 6 to 12 can play “Do You Have What It Takes to be a Leader?”

“It takes you around diff erent parts of Papago Park,” Hein said. “It asks the participants to either do some kind of activity or complete some kind of challenge and we connect that challenge to a famous person from Arizona.”

For example, Hein said, hikers learn about Arizona native Steven Spielberg when they reach Hole in the Rock.

“We also have one on the Double Butte Loop trail, which is intended for teenagers and any sort of active adult,” Hein said. “It is an active, interactive hike where we teach you about the landmarks that are on the trail and also about some of the old fi xtures.”

For example, hikers can learn about the old amphitheater on the Double Butte Loop trails.

The games wrap up with a “very high-level trivia” activity for all active adults. One question asks, “What was one of the things that Papago Park was not used for?” The choices are: to house prisoners of war or Native Amer-

The app helps walkers and hikers get the most out of one of the region’s most scenic parks. (File photo)

LENARTZ from page 37

ican rituals and religious ceremonies.

Hein offers advice to families ready to embark on a hiking adventure.

“You should know that if you are going to go to Papago Park to play the games, we highly recommend that you download the app ahead of time so that it is ready to go,” Hein said. “Most of the games start at the pond so you’ll want to park in the parking lot near the pond if you want to play games.”

The app and its games are free. “Papago Park is a public access park,” Hein said. “Everybody can come and it’s a really enjoyable hour or two with the family. We really, really encourage parents to go and play with their kids.”

Disney On Ice skates into the Phoenix Footprint Center

BY JORDAN HOUSTON

GetOut Staff Writer

As the world heads into its second pandemic holiday season, it’s safe to say both children and adults could benefit from a little extra Disney-filled cheer.

Disney On Ice presented by Feld Entertainment is kicking off the New Year in Phoenix with seven fun-filled performances for its Dream Big tour. From Thursday, January 13, to Sunday, January 16, Disney’s best will skate into the Footprint Center, located at 201 E. Jefferson St., for showtimes ranging from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The show will feature Walt Disney favorites, including Minnie, Miguel, Moana, Elsa, Belle, Genie and more, while highlighting the magic and adventure of their tales through world-class figure skating.

Disney On Ice veteran skater Frederic Allain, a Canadian native, assures that Dream Big is guaranteed fun for “the whole family.”

“We have ten Disney stories all mashed up into one show, and it includes classics like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty and goes all the way up to more modern stories like Moana and Frozen,” Allain, who plays Aladdin in Dream Big’s opening segment, tells Entertainer! Magazine. “There is really a little bit for everyone, whether you are the parents that have seen Disney since you were a child, or literally someone much younger that is now discovering all of these Disney stories.”

“If you have a favorite character, it’s probably going to get showcased,” he adds.

Audience members will have the chance to join Moana and Maui on an “action-packed voyage to restore the stolen heart of Te Fiti,” as well as explore the Land of the Dead with Miguel from Disney Pixar’s Coco for an immersive celebration of Día de los Muertos on ice.

Rapunzel will captivate viewers during her “hair-raising quest to see the floating lights,” while Frozen icons Anna, Elsa and Olaf hit the rink in a dramatic retelling of the sisterly love that saved the kingdom of Arendelle.

“We always try to keep things fresh,” said Allain. “We’ve added newer stories to the show to make sure we’re up-todate with today’s stuff.”

Dream Big will also pay tribute to the strength, bravery and kindness of Disney’s original characters “that stole the hearts of millions” across TV screens over the last 90 years, such as Jasmine, Ariel, Aurora, Belle and Cinderella.

For Aladdin aficionados, Allain said his opening segment as the “street urchin” is “super high energy” and engaging.

“I get to run around the marketplace and there are guards chasing me because I’m a ‘street rat’ trying to steal food to help other people,” the former competitive ice dancer shares. “I eventually meet Princess Jasmine and go on a magic carpet ride and it’s a super romantic number with high-risk elements and beautiful costumes.”

Feld Entertainment, a global leader in producing and presenting live family entertainment experiences, has entertained millions of families in more than 75 countries and on six continents, according to its website. Aside from Disney On Ice, its properties include Monster Jam, Monster Energy Supercross, Disney Live!, Marvel Universe LIVE!, Sesame Street Live!, DreamWorks Trolls The Experience and Jurassic World Live Tour.

On July 14, 2021, Disney On Ice celebrated its 40th anniversary, becoming one of Disney’s longest licensees.

“We have skaters that come from so many backgrounds and so many countries,” Allain, who has been performing with Disney On Ice for 12 years, discloses. “We’re a very international cast and super diverse, but we all get together because we have this passion for skating and performing and that’s just rewarding on its own. I don’t feel like I’m working, it’s just something I love to do.”

Although Disney On Ice were put on a brief pause during widespread COVID-19 lockdowns, Feld Entertainment emphasizes promoting Guest Wellness Enhancements “to help keep families safe at its live events.” Show venues, including Phoenix, will follow COVID health and safety standards in accordance with all federal, state and local guidelines, Feld Entertainment’s website reads.

“After the COVID year where a lot of our shows were cancelled, we’re happy to be back and to get people outside of the house to have a moment with their family and have something special to bring home,” Allain expresses.

Dream Big isn’t the first Disney gig under the ice dancer’s belt. Allain has also participated in Disney On Ice presents Rockin’ Ever After, Disney On Ice presents Princesses & Heroes, Disney On Ice presents The Wonderful World of Disney on Ice and Disney On Ice presents Treasure Trove.

A self-described Disney kid, Allain said his relationship with the entertainment giant has evolved since joining the Disney On Ice team in 2009.

“I actually really did love Disney movies as a kid,” he shares. “It’s funny, touring with Disney On Ice, I kind of relearned all about the Disney movies as an adult. You see them in a totally different way – we’ll watch them to study how people move, how people act and their reactions because we want to portray all of their characters.”

Allain, who competed in seven national ice dance championships and two international competitions representing Canada, recalls his passion for figure skating as a child – despite growing up in a hockey-obsessed country.

At eight years old, Allain found his “ice” legs after his dad built an ice rink for him and his sister in their backyard.

“(Canada) is a big hockey country and I think my dad always wanted to push me to be a hockey player,” Allain remembers. “My sister and I would skate night and day and twirl around, so I begged to go to skating lessons. I got to join a learn-to-skate figure skating class and I fell in love.”

With the support from his parents, Allain went on to compete with the junior national team as an ice dancer until his early 20’s, he explains.

When the skater decided to retire from competing, an opportunity with Disney On Ice presented itself roughly two years later – and he hasn’t looked back since.

“What I find really enjoyable about performing for Disney On Ice is seeing

Above: Starring some of Disney’s all-time favorite characters from the last 90 years, ‘Dream Big’ is a fun-filled show for the whole family. Above Right: Disney On Ice will ring in the New Year with seven fun-filled performances at the Footprint Center in Phoenix from Thursday, Jan. 13, to Sunday, Jan. 16. Right: ‘Dream Big’ features Disney favorites, including Mickey, Minnie, Miguel, Moana, Elsa, Belle, Genie, and more, while highlighting the magic of their tales through world-class figure skating.

(Courtesy of Feld Entertainment )

people’s faces – especially the kids,” Allain said. “A lot of them will come dressed up as their favorite character and when they see you perform, everyone feels like they’re in the story and that they’re a part of it. Any time I see somebody’s excited face, it brings joy to my performance and gives me energy.”

Footprint Center guests looking to purchase Disney On Ice souvenirs can enjoy a new contactless shopping feature with touch-free payment and digital purchasing options, according to Disney On Ice. Attendees can also pre-order items prior to arriving at the venue.

To purchase tickets for Disney On Ice presents Dream Big at the Phoenix Footprint Center, visit disneyonice. com/dream-big/phoenix-az-footprint-center. To learn more about Disney On Ice and its varying shows, head over to disneyonice.com.

LENARTZ from page 37

outdoors can have on our physical and mental well-being,” he explained.

Plus, he said he “wanted to introduce people to South Mountain Park, this incredible community resource.”

“I have been working to get people connected with nature in a manner that is safe and responsible. I particularly enjoy helping children and families reconnect with our natural environment. I find watching children develop a love of being outdoors to be immensely fulfilling.

“South Mountain Park was a clear focus for this effort, a place that my family and I have a deep connection to.”

“My intention is that this book will be a guide for users of all levels, he said, citing his specific sections for newcomers to hiking and South Mountain.

“And there is extensive information on trails, plants, animals, and geology for experienced users. I am confident every reader will learn something new about the park.” The novice writer spent a year writing the book and another year going through the editing process with the university press.

He said he was able to work out some of his initial ideas through various pieces he has written for the Ahwatukee Foothills News.

“This provided a chance to receive feedback from readers about what worked, what didn’t, and what information they found most helpful,” he said. “I am appreciative to all those who shared their input.”

Still, he admitted, “I had a big learning curve with every step of the process, as this was entirely new to me.”

“I was fortunate to be signed by a publishing company with a talented team of editors and marketing staff who were willing to walk me through the process. It was a bit of a leap of faith never having done this before, but the excitement of seeing my work in print was worth the time and effort.”

Besides, he considered the entire exercise “more fun than a challenge.”

“I did hike every single trail in at South Mountain Park in a one-year period to create the trail guide portion,” said Lenartz, who also took all but the cover photo for the book.

Lenartz has been both an avid hiker and mountain biker for more than 15 years.

“I had done occasional hikes growing up, but upon moving to Arizona and discovering the Sonoran Desert, these activities became a main focus of my life,” he said. “I absolutely love being outdoors and seek every opportunity I can to spend time in nature.” He and his family “have hiked and biked all over the state of Arizona and beyond.” “We all love to travel and have hiked, biked, paddled, and camped in over half of the U.S. states in our explorations,” he added. “A particular favorite are national parks. We are on a quest to visit all of those in the United States. “ Yet, for all his enthusiasm at discovering new place, he’s left his heart at South Mountain. “It is a truly unique place and a spectacular outdoor playground right in our backyard,” Lenartz said. “While there are bigger and more extensive mountains, it is the biggest municipal park in the U.S. It is absolutely incredible that so many people in the nation’s fifth biggest city have easy access to this sprawling natural space.

“South Mountain Park was initially under consideration as a national park when it was established nearly 100 years ago, and we are all so very fortunate to have daily access to this special place.”

The book can be purchased on amazon.com and a number of other sites.

The Gila River Indian Community fought the South Mountain Freeway for years because South Mountain is sacred to the tribes that live there. Federal courts rejected their appeals. (File photo)