The SFDPEC was formed by SALT with the assumption that appealing to a larger population base would greatly aid conservation efforts.  It is widely acknowledged that citizens across the East Valley identify with the Superstitions.  In fact, one often hears that these mountains are Arizona’s second most iconic place after the Grand Canyon.  It was soon decided to expand collaborative efforts beyond the East Valley cities in Marcicopa County (Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert and Queen Creek) to Pinal County populations to the east (Apache Junction, Gold Canyon, Florence and San Tan Valley). 

A eventually developed among the 12-15 representatives that federal management in the form of a destination park or recreation area would best a) protect the area’s widely-revered viewsheds, b) conserve the Superstition Foothills for their inherent conservation and recreational values, and c) serve as an area of responsibly-managed recreation land buffering the south border of the Superstition Wilderness Area.  This concept has been adopted and widely supported by officials throughout the region.