The Groves is a suburban neighborhood in Mesa, 23 miles east of downtown Phoenix.

It was named for the citrus groves that were here before residential development began in the 1940s.

The neighborhood’s population spiked in the 1960s along with growth in the local aerospace industry.

New housing developments have appeared in The Groves in the last few years.

The Groves now has a mix of single story ranch, two-story Spanish, and American Colonial homes.

The southern part of the neighborhood is made up of RV resorts and mobile home communities.

The Groves has several small parks, plus a larger regional park with 29 miles of trails in the Sonoran Desert.

Community parks like Vista Monterrey have playgrounds, basketball courts, and fields.

Shopping centers along E. Main Street have a mix of local businesses, chain stores, and fast food spots.

A Wednesday morning ride along E. Main Street.