The city of Litchfield Park, 16 miles west of downtown Phoenix in Maricopa County, is a planned residential community boasting a small town atmosphere and casual lifestyle. It started in 1916 when Goodyear Tire and Rubber bought farm land to grow Egyptian long staple cotton used in tire cords. This project was developed by Paul Litchfield, a junior executive with Goodyear, for whom the company town was named in 1926. Litchfield Park was the headquarters for Goodyear Farms, which had thousands of acres under cultivation. From 1931 to 1944, the city was the test site for Goodyear tires. In the 1960s, Litchfield Park designed a master plan for development, including several self-sufficient villages, which had a positive impact on the city's development.

Principal Economic Activities

The Wigwam, a prestigious AAA Four Diamond resort, recently went through a $15 million renovation and sits in the heart of this 3.3-square mile community. The resort was originally built for Goodyear executives visiting the farming operations. In 1929, the Wigwam opened to the public and soon became a fashionable and exclusive resort. Today, the resort offers fine dining, three golf courses, two swimming pools, the luxurious Red Door Spa and comfortable resort accommodations. The quaint downtown area next to the resort features a collection of locally owned and operated shops and restaurants. Litchfield Park has approved plans to expand the Wigwam Resort adding single- and multi-family housing and commercial space as well as reconfiguring three golf courses with a portion of one course reserved for residential use. In 2014, the city finished rezoning a 28-acre parcel on the northwest corner of Litchfield Road and Village Parkway to high-density residential. This project will include 167 units, including single-family, condominiums and patio homes.

Scenic Attractions

White Tanks Regional Park, west of Litchfield Park, is named for natural rock water tanks once used by local Native Americans. Many unusual petroglyphs are found in the 26,000-acre park. Estrella Mountain Regional Park has 19,000 acres with an 18-hole golf course, camping, horseback riding, hiking and picnic facilities. The Wildlife World Zoo, four miles northwest, provides a natural habitat for many endangered species. The Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Coyotes, Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, Phoenix International Raceway and four Major League ballparks are all only a short drive away.

Community Facilities

The city of Litchfield Park offers a range of community facilities including a library, swimming pool, three golf courses and five parks with baseball and soccer fields. The library, parks and pools are open to the public. An active community calendar features many award winning art festivals, concerts and cultural events throughout the year including a Fourth of July celebration, spring and fall arts festivals, a Native American Arts Festival and the annual Christmas in the Park. A newly completed pedestrian underpass incorporates elements of public art that celebrates the community and creates a safe connection to the existing pedestrian pathway system throughout the park.