Scottsdale, Arizona is a city located in Maricopa County, part of the Phoenix metropolitan area. It was established in 1894 and officially organized in 1951, with a population of 2,000 people. The city is home to a variety of attractions, from the Scottsdale Main Street Arts District to the Marshall Way Arts District and the tourist-friendly Old Town district. Scottsdale Fashion Square is one of the largest malls in the country and offers exclusive shopping and luxury.
Residents and visitors to Scottsdale have easy access to all the arts and entertainment offerings of Phoenix, Arizona's largest city. Notable regional hubs include Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter in North Scottsdale, and Scottsdale Fashion Square in downtown Scottsdale. In 1999, the school opened a second campus at Scottsdale Airpark that allowed it to serve the business community and north of Scottsdale. The city is also home to the Scottsdale Jaycees Parada del Sol, an annual month-long event that has been held since 1954.The downtown trolley runs through downtown Scottsdale and the neighborhood trolley runs from downtown Scottsdale to neighborhoods throughout South Scottsdale, connecting to the city of Tempe's own free public circulator, Tempe Orbit at Roosevelt and Scottsdale Road.
Scottsdale is also home to several dog parks, including one of the most impressive in the country, Scottsdale's Chaparral Dog Park. This park separates active and passive dogs so everyone can enjoy the fresh air and exercise. Additionally, residents and visitors can ride horses through the pristine Arizona desert in the morning and visit one of the country's best contemporary art museums in the afternoon. Scottsdale was also once home to a German prisoner of war camp at the intersection of Scottsdale and Thomas Roads in what is now Papago Park.
