Paul Riggins
“Landscapes have names, hold stories, house spiritual deities, invoke prayer, provide food and medicine, mark ancestral boundaries, and are venues for the exchange of traditional knowledge,” Nanebah Nez.
Federal and state laws protect artifacts of antiquity, many of which have special significance to the modern-day tribes from which they came. Many construction projects in the state of Arizona, especially those located on current or past state-owned lands, are required to conduct archaeological assessments before construction takes place.
Robson Corporation, as a major developer within Arizona, has been required to conduct these important studies before any significant construction can take place. They have always complied with these requirements, and, in fact, welcome them.
When Quail Creek, a Robson Resort community, began being developed, several archaeological assessments were conducted early in the construction phases to the south and north of the present Quail Creek Crossing Blvd. These assessments are still taking place. Articles about these studies can sometimes be found in the Green Valley News. Many artifacts found and removed from the Quail Creek property have been permanently preserved in the Arizona State Museum in Tucson.
The area around and within Quail Creek is a rich source of ancient history. The remnants of thousands of years still bless the land and provide important links to the modern day residents of Quail Creek. These remnants hold patterns, reminders, stories, and spirits of life from another era hundreds and thousands of years ago.
An unexpected link to the past, and the lives of those who once lived on and traveled through our beloved Quail Creek property, happens to be the Quail Creek dog park located on the corner of Quail Creek Crossing and Quail View Loop. One of the wonderful resources of this dog park is the two-legged residents who represent the hundreds of pet owners who live in Quail Creek. Yes, they come with their dogs, yet they learn about their community and their neighbors, both past and current, as they share and socialize.
For example, several of the most ardent, active, and passionate amateur archaeologists living in Quail Creek originally met at the dog park. They represent both male and female former teachers, geologists, business people, and writers. They share stories. They lead informal walks, educate, and engage interested residents in the pursuit of the past in relation to our current lifestyles and priorities. And yes, there are many relevant connections. These residents teach and learn from each other, while helping to bring the past to life for any interested resident in 2021.
The moral of this particular story is that our dog park is a great resource and meeting place, far more valuable than simply a place for our beloved pets. It is a link, an important link, to each other, our neighbors, our past, and, most important, our future. Where are we going? What will we discover? What role will we play in the history of our planet? This is a profound link and was discovered at our own dog park.