Recognized and acclaimed in the book, The 50 Most Desirable Places to Live in the United States, the Town of Fountain Hills had its genesis in 1970 as a master-planned community that was designed to serve as a retirement village. As the development matured, more and more families were drawn to the scenic mountain landscape, small-town ambiance, and tranquil streets. Today, Fountain Hills provides a genuine community atmosphere to a pleasing blend of retirees, young professionals, executives, and young families. In keeping with its name, the town claims the distinguishing feature of the world’s highest municipal fountain. Primarily residential in character, this attractive town is carefully controlling and limiting the growth of commercial and industrial activity to protect its small-town feeling and friendly atmosphere.
Although the resources of Scottsdale are only minutes away, Fountain Hills boasts a new community center, history museum, library, community theater, fountain park, children’s playground, golf courses, sports courts, and golf courses. The city operates an independent school district and is home to professional service centers that include a family practice clinic operated by Mayo Clinic of Scottsdale. Fountain Hills is well known for its colorful local festivals and celebrations. Highlights include the annual Fountain Hills Great Fair and Balloon Race each February, the July Fourth fireworks at the fountain park, the fall Festival of Arts and Crafts, the only Thanksgiving Parade in Arizona, and luminaria lighting of city streets during the holiday.
The 12,000 acres of gently rolling desert hills that make up Fountain Hills are completely surrounded by the Sonoran desert beauty of the McDowell Mountain, reservation land, and the McDowell County Park on the north. Newer construction single-family homes and fine townhouses dominate the housing selection. Although Scottsdale is nearby for expanded amenities, a growing commercial district continues to blossom along the Shea Boulevard corridor of Fountain Hills that borders east Scottsdale neighborhoods.
