So, encouraging multi-generational housing is very helpful for the mental well being of young and some of our legacy residents alike,” Besich elaborates. PRESERVING NATURAL BEAUTY AND PROMOTING TOURISM When it comes to tourism, the Boyce Thompson Arboretum is the crown jewel of Superior. Established by Colonel Boyce Thompson, a prominent mining magnate and influential leader from a century ago, his vision for the Arboretum was to study arid desert plants and their potential for food production. Today, the Arboretum features plants from deserts across the world including several endangered species. “It is quite the extraordinary destination,” Besich boasts. “It takes about two days to see all of the Arboretum. They have a variety of wonderful events throughout the year that not only adds to the benefits of living in Superior but also just coming out to visit. That’s an important anchor point for many of our visitors.” From the Arboretum, tourists often venture into the downtown or explore the surrounding Tonto National Forest.The vast network of trails is also a draw, and Superior boasts more 4x4 trails than even Moab, Utah, a destination famous for its outdoor adventures. With this comes the responsibility of preservation, and ongoing efforts are being made to protect the local trails and the Arboretum, which is one of Superior’s largest employers outside of mining and government.“We have to work hard to not only protect those jobs and protect the plants, but we’ve had to work through wildfires and other challenges to ensure our visitor trade remains vibrant,” Besich details. An important project that exemplifies Superior’s commitment to both tourism and environmental preservation is the Queen Creek Restoration Project. In collaboration with the US Army Corps of Engineers, the town is working to reintroduce water into Queen Creek, not only improving the area’s environmental 231 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 12 SUPERIOR, AZ
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