Peoria

Peoria is a major suburb of nearby Phoenix but is quickly establishing its own unique character. Peoria has achieved some amazing successes during the past few years that indicate steady, but well-planned growth, designed to preserve the area's natural beauty, provide residents with modern resources and ensure the city's future success. In 1999, Peoria annexed most of the land around the Lake Pleasant Regional Park, an extremely popular recreational area for Peoria and surrounding area residents. Other planning initiatives include updated ordinances that carefully direct future development in balance with natural preservation. Peoria's historic downtown area, often referred to as "Old Town", is also undergoing revitalization.