Just east of Phoenix, Mesa is a suburb of Arizona that has quickly grown to become the third-largest city in the state, behind Phoenix and Tucson. Mesa is home to many higher education branch campuses, including the Polytechnic Campus of Arizona University and Osteopathic Medical School of A.T. Still University. Mesa Community College is the largest community college in the county. The residents of Mesa are largely served by Mesa Public Schools, which is also one of the city’s largest employers behind Banner Health System.
Arizona is home to many championship golf courses, and Mesa is no different. The Mesa Country Club, built in the 1940s, and Dobson Ranch Golf Course are both central to Mesa and host a variety of golf tournaments. Red Mountain Park is Mesa’s largest park, spanning over 1,000 acres with a lake, playgrounds, and basketball and volleyball courts. The city of Mesa is also known for its numerous historic properties. Many of these historic structures are located on what was once the Williams Air Force Base that closed in 1993.
The METRO Light Rail system that opened in Phoenix in 2008 also serves the city of Mesa. Four new stops are currently being constructed to reach downtown Mesa and are expected to open August 2015. There are future plans to continue to further the METRO line in Mesa, improving public transportation for the resident and visitors of the city.