Be Nice On Phoenix-Area Hiking Trails This Holiday Weekend

Published: Wednesday, July 1, 2015 - 4:04pm
Updated: Wednesday, July 1, 2015 - 9:09pm
(Photo courtesy of Scott Covey - City of Phoenix)
People who play music on their cell phones without headphones led to signs like this being put up.

Hiking at one of Phoenix’s many mountain preserves can often be an exercise in the art of patience, but the city of Phoenix is making an effort to get hikers to play nice.

Being nice is not always easy for some. Scott Covey is a city of Phoenix park manager. He said people going off trail, wearing too much perfume or cologne (which attracts bees) and littering are just some of the inconsiderate things hikers do.

This has led the parks department to take action.

"We put up what I call 'courtesy signs' that remind people to simply be nice," said Covey. "They’re little reminders such as use headphones when on the trail [and] step left when people are approaching."

Besides being courteous this holiday weekend, Covey also advises hikers to start early and carry plenty of water. Just don’t leave those empty water bottles behind for a park ranger to pick up.