[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":-5,"_68":69,"_70":-5,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6164505,"mediaKeyId","5428420-4f9eea9d51fcba72c2d88e2209113f1a","parentId",5428420,"title","Chandler Nature Center offers free discovery packs, night hikes and fall Dragonfly-Butterfly Bash","audioSeconds",201,"startMs",490000,"endMs",691000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5428420-4f9eea9d51fcba72c2d88e2209113f1a&start=490&end=691","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5428420-4f9eea9d51fcba72c2d88e2209113f1a/thumbnail_490000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6164505/Chandler-Nature-Center-offers-free-discovery-packs-night-hikes-and-fall-Dragonfly-Butterfly-Bash","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164505-09ce86052f5bb086b7d73e865dfe1a85/orig.mp4?Expires=1770970743&Signature=jYEz~HacZ6ohisq4LuU6bai4IwHNifVJ37-P3QceiUEyaiYhc9dBZLMLuAeRgzisd0CGvsdCblSEgOEpe6fDJTkIhDgTOr4~tMNfVP9GLBeJtQA~mLUv-QlRqyr0vEeNHIdpffjs5OrYF6QWI~VHAqqlFBe3yng0dzQXdeqkc0sGMTAfViH1ek5yNNaRExO0CtkyM1-Mjr5TPhbnaGAZcUrcl0~l0le2QA6C~jPbNqEBNQNol9MVIoHMAkxtNlgHOr~ZNlU3Sb-bogWcx6~H4hMT8E-30HtpCXV8yjGfcsTzOhS88r1qYWcw1DfD4LQjG7fQU5rVEaC3~NFlTML0FQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Chandler, AZ ","date","2025-07-19T03:50:05.66Z","article","Councilmember OD Harris visited the Chandler Nature Center segment of Power Conversations to highlight low-cost and free nature activities available to families in Chandler.

The Nature Center’s offerings matter to families seeking affordable, educational outdoor activities. Derek (a nature-center speaker on the program) said the center lends seven themed discovery packs free from the lobby and hosts interactive exhibits and a scavenger hunt that are free to visit.

Derek said, “You can go ahead, check out our discovery packs for free. There's different topics you can learn from. We have birds, creepy crawly insects, mammals, the great indoors.” He described the packs as having binoculars and hands-on activities that families can use for an hour or more and then return.

The Nature Center also runs excursions out of the city — Derek mentioned trips including Lava River Cave, Verde Valley national monuments and Lavender Pine Farm near Payson — and offers seasonal programs to beat the heat. He highlighted nocturnal full-moon hikes led by natural-resources staff, and a teen-focused CNC lock-in described as a night-at-the-museum–style overnight with night fishing, hikes and a morning breakfast for ages 13–17. Derek also previewed the Dragonfly-Butterfly Bash, an October event that celebrates monsoon-season wildlife such as butterflies and dragonflies.

Derek said some programs are free while others charge a small registration fee, and he pointed listeners to the center’s and city’s printed and digital recreation guides for schedules and registration details.

For more information or to sign up for specific excursions, hikes or the CNC lock-in, residents should consult the Chandler Nature Center listings in the city’s recreation materials.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Power Conversations with Councilmember OD Harris: Summer Family Fun in Chandler","oneSentenceSummary","On Power Conversations, Councilmember OD Harris and a nature-center representative named Derek described free discovery packs, scavenger hunts, excursions to Northern Arizona, nocturnal full-moon hikes, a CNC lock-in for teens and the annual Dragonfly-Butterfly Bash in October.","taxTitle","taxId",0,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":-5,"_68":69,"_70":-5,"_71":72,"_73":72},6164510,"Chandler Public Libraries’ Culture Pass and Discovery Library expand low-cost cultural access",76,289000,365000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5428420-4f9eea9d51fcba72c2d88e2209113f1a&start=289&end=365","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5428420-4f9eea9d51fcba72c2d88e2209113f1a/thumbnail_289000.jpg","/articles/6164510/Chandler-Public-Libraries-Culture-Pass-and-Discovery-Library-expand-low-cost-cultural-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164510-bca78498ab56a17c9b06449e765033b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770970743&Signature=UW6kVwcjN4Z3VPU2aeo6Tq~7oqVVxVdQKxfkKw6fqYwl1UOaeKjkXTm~-qqUFIzWlZYBBNkMgLqUbERShmu5HAMs8OTwefDzUmr19RWT54r7p7nu21EH7pLNjEfGi2kD1nvVMLz9kUBmvv56ttBY7Wd3QeUeVyyx6R59E8QqKpkTfYDmjvM7SD6jYl-60DjClnsU4lydeZ0LWm~XhmIRC1rOnxQp2JQg0eXUzy9dshdmGnlhMArYI-vSebD0s7eEj91IV3KBZ46VYIZJA~nj7KUiuzJBcsL7D~0R-AClfaYWbLpT~LJqR82UZ8T9oTtk5OCxhbGx4Krz4-fA9Tp6-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On the City of Chandler program Power Conversations, Councilmember OD Harris interviewed Chris McKinley, a library branch manager, about low-cost cultural and learning opportunities offered by Chandler Public Libraries.

The Culture Pass program matters because it gives families an inexpensive way to visit cultural venues. McKinley said the pass, offered through the Valley libraries’ nonprofit partner Act 1, provides free admission for two family members per pass; patrons may check out one pass per visit.

McKinley said, “The culture pass is a pass that we've been offering for almost a decade here in the Valley. It's offered through Valley Library's, nonprofit partner called Act 1. And essentially, it just gets you free passes to local cultural hot spots. So you can check out one pass per visit per family, and each pass gets two family members into a location.” He listed locations families commonly use the pass to visit, including the Heard Museum, Reid Park and the Desert Botanical Garden.

McKinley also highlighted the library’s seasonal offerings: the summer reading challenge (this year’s theme is “Color Our World”), free ebooks and audiobooks, magician performances for children, paint nights for adults and programs for teenagers. He added that library cards are free to all Maricopa County residents, not only Chandler residents, and encouraged patrons to check branch desks or the library website for program registration.

On outreach, McKinley described a new bookmobile iteration called the Discovery Library intended to bring library services and story times to areas without a branch. “Our hope is to go into some of those places that we don't have branches next to and sort of meet the public where they're at,” McKinley said.

Library program listings and cultural-pass availability are on library branch desks and the library’s online listings.","Councilmember OD Harris and library branch manager Chris McKinley discussed the Culture Pass program (provided through nonprofit Act 1), free library cards for Maricopa County residents, summer reading events, and a new Discovery Library bookmobile intended to bring library services into neighborhoods.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":-5,"_68":69,"_70":-5,"_71":72,"_73":72},6164515,"Chandler promotes $1 family swim, six public pools and expanded lessons",202,35000,237000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5428420-4f9eea9d51fcba72c2d88e2209113f1a&start=35&end=237","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5428420-4f9eea9d51fcba72c2d88e2209113f1a/thumbnail_35000.jpg","/articles/6164515/Chandler-promotes-1-family-swim-six-public-pools-and-expanded-lessons","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164515-64932c71336992c06e5d9841b8fa8522/orig.mp4?Expires=1770970743&Signature=EXg8XFOQ5YXeSB-wtlEV2apWoZgMTlxgngpAoOC871bzC7LXqcIfu~Kw8I2TjHZfesYGz4lbgpcPiKqE23Vhv40jEDfyL9z6aBPvrwBoYq6RAkv9yJY~~eAOo25yfyirokQ~N49jSaS75da36z~XJPt3XsFdxFSEWYMV~WDNmMhTpClY6DisAByLe2VejrZHMj8Ru406kQTvRDrfjzyxRZ4SU-DDVWYNzbIdRL8jaE0LqkwMFOmod-QmorlSMNseM06X8say~Z-xPKHF8CUtckx~Jvpn2ri6wB3Y3oDdo42KnkqQ4Iim9~5D9GTxo74RXH3FJ1eTK0rT-b3TBmbu1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilmember OD Harris spoke with Chandler Aquatics Superintendent Chris Smith on the City of Chandler program Power Conversations about the city’s pool offerings and low-cost summer options for families.

Chandler’s aquatics system matters to families because it provides low-cost recreation and supervised water access during hot months. Smith said the city operates six pools and runs swim lessons and youth programming that aim to serve a wide age range.

Smith said, “We have six great pools here in the city of Chandler. Mesquite Groves is definitely our most popular site but we do have two other larger aquatic centers Hamilton and Nozomi and then we have three neighborhood pools Arrowhead, Desert Oasis and Foley.” He added that lessons run “6 months old all the way to adult” and the swim team serves ages 5 to 18. Smith also described specialty programs such as Splash Ball (an introduction to water polo) and Little Mermaids (an introduction to synchronized swimming).

On cost, Smith said regular admission is $1 for kids and $2.25 for adults. He described special low-cost options: a $1 family swim (\"No, it's just $1 for the entire family,\" Smith said) and a free-swim window at each site — a two-hour period during which attendees may enter for free and then remain for the day. Smith emphasized safety: “We have lifeguards on staff at all times that we're open to the public. Safety is a priority for us and we make sure that our lifeguards are trained to the highest standards.”

Smith noted partnerships with school districts and nonprofits, naming ICAN and a new partnership, Swim Black, to broaden access to lessons. He described the department’s mix of supervised programs and drop-in opportunities as a way to offer affordable, family-oriented recreation.

For schedules, program details and to confirm times for family-swim or free-swim periods, Smith directed residents to the city’s recreation listings.","On the City of Chandler program Power Conversations, Councilmember OD Harris and Chandler Aquatics Superintendent Chris Smith described six public pools, low-cost admission options including a $1 family swim and free two-hour free-swim periods, and a range of lessons and youth programs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Chandler Nature Center offers free discovery packs, night hikes and fall Dragonfly-Butterfly Bash

Chandler Public Libraries’ Culture Pass and Discovery Library expand low-cost cultural access

Chandler promotes $1 family swim, six public pools and expanded lessons