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What we do International Dark Sky Places

Big Park / Village of Oak Creek, Arizona

The Milky Way rising over Big Park (a.k.a., Village of Oak Creek) Arizona. Photo by Robert Mueller.

About

The community of Big Park, also known as the Village of Oak Creek, is an unincorporated place in far northeastern Yavapai County, Arizona. Home to slightly over 6,000 people, the Village is something of a ‘bedroom community’ or exurb of neighboring Sedona, a city designated an IDA International Dark Sky Community in 2014. Tourism and service to a population of retirees and vacation-home owners are the main basis for the Village economy. Many residents prefer the rustic, rural setting of Big Park to the increasingly urbanized characteristics of Sedona, some 11 km (7 miles) away along Arizona state highway 179.

The effort to designate the Village began as the result of Sedona’s achievement, and has brought greater awareness of dark skies to the area west and south of Sedona. In order to position the (unincorporated) Village as eligible for an IDSC award, the applicants lobbied for changes to the controlling legislation in the local jurisdiction, resulting in a County-wide policy that brings Dark Sky Community-levels of protection to the entirety of unincorporated Yavapai County. That outcome is unique in the history of Dark Sky Places. Furthermore, building off of a successful public outreach program developed for Sedona, the Village has educated many of its residents and property owners on the importance of maintaining the area’s dark nighttime environment.

Designated

2016

Category

Dark Sky Community

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Address

Yavapai County, Arizona
Google Maps

Contact

David Norton
Website

Land Area

11.8 km2

Documents

Application
Annual Reports
Announcement

Weather

Click here to find ideal environmental conditions for viewing the night sky at Big Park (34.77514, -111.76306). Don’t forget to plan your trip during the new moon and astronomical twilight to enhance the viewing experience!