OK, it’s not big enough to be called a lake by many peoples’ standards but for this desert rat it was a very welcome addition to the Valley.

To date, you can rent a sail boat or kayak or electric pontoon style boat, you can fish, you can bike, jog, run, walk or roller blade and just hang out. You can visit Tempe Beach Park which holds over 40 events a year ranging from Chili Cook-Offs to Concert Fests. Tempe Mill Avenue is a short walk away with coffee shops, ice cream stores, fun shopping and people watching.

Soon there’ll be the $67M Tempe Arts Center on the Lake, great restaurants and clubs, boutiques and high rise condos.

I not only want to visit this place; I want to live on the lake!