2021 marks the 20th anniversary of the grand opening of Rancho Sahuarita. What began as an old cotton farm and a dream of late founder, Bob Sharpe, is now a thriving community of more than 18,000 residents and 5,800 homes. Its residents have access to hundreds of events, community conveniences, and various amenities including a resort-style Clubhouse, a splash park, and 17 miles of walking and biking trails. 20 years after the first shovel hit the ground, thousands of families now call Rancho Sahuarita home.
In the 1990s, Bob Sharpe began to develop neighborhoods in Southern Arizona with his signature tree-lined streets and sidewalks. He sought to build neighborhoods that young families could call home. Bob then founded Rancho Sahuarita in 2001, which gave him the opportunity to create that same sense of home he created in his early neighborhoods on a far larger scale. While most people saw vacant land, Bob saw a place where families could come together and experience a better quality of life at an affordable price. His dream is now a reality, as the award-winning community has been honored to be recognized locally and nationally through the years.
To commemorate the anniversary, the team at Rancho Sahuarita has planned a series of inventive, fun and safe events for families of the community to participate in. While the current pandemic prevents many larger scale events from taking place (at least, for the first part of the year), the team is looking forward optimistically to the later part of 2021, and hopes to celebrate in true ‘Rancho Sahuarita style’ at events towards the end of the year. Between now and then, all events, both smaller in-person events and virtual programs, will have a 20th anniversary spin, and residents can look for swag and fun giveaways to celebrate it as the year goes on.
Rancho Sahuarita is special in large part because of the sense of community that the founding families created from the very beginning, many of which still live there. Over the coming months some those founding families will be highlighted, and given the chance to share their story of what it’s been like to live in Rancho Sahuarita for all these years.
Mayor of Sahuarita, Tom Murphy congratulated his fellow residents on the 20-year anniversary, reflecting back on his first experience in the community. He said “I still remember going to the Clubhouse with my family on our first weekend as new residents 17 years ago. The founder of Rancho Sahuarita, Bob Sharpe, and the Superintendent of SUSD at that time, Dr. Jay St. John, were holding a meet and greet together for new and perspective residents. It was such a pleasure to meet them both for the first time, and the beginning of a lifelong friendship. I believe it is that spirit of collaboration that makes Rancho Sahuarita and Sahuarita such a great place to live and call home, and I look forward to seeing what the next 20 years bring.”
Jeremy Sharpe, Managing Partner of Rancho Sahuarita commented: “As I look back over the years, and remember the time I spent with my dad and family walking the grounds of what would one day be Rancho Sahuarita, I feel a deep sense of joy and gratitude for all that the community has become. Thousands of families have had the opportunity not just to live in a neighborhood, but to be a part of a community that is designed around creating a better life for our residents. I hope you will join our team in celebrating our 20th Anniversary this year, and look back at all we’ve created together and forward towards all that’s to come.”
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