Phoenix has added 737 acres to its Sonoran Preserve, spending $46 million for land southwest of Seventh Avenue and Carefree Highway.

The land was bought from the Arizona State Land Department at an auction Tuesday. The city was the sole bidder.

The purchase brings the preserve up to 5,200 acres. Ultimately, it will cover 21,500 acres. OAS_AD('ArticleFlex_1')

Assistant City Manager Rick Naimark said additional parcels would be sought during the next fiscal year, when more state money becomes available.

The money for Tuesday's purchase came from the state's Growing Smarter trust fund and the city's Parks and Preserves Initiative.

Subsequent areas the city will seek to buy include land surrounding the Ben Avery Shooting Facility and Pioneer Arizona, and land along Skunk Creek Wash just east of Interstate 17. The city also hopes to buy large swaths of land that surrounds and includes Apache and Cave Creek washes.

"This is a great project," said State Land Commissioner Mark Winkleman. "It furthers the city's cause, and it generates money for us."

The money supports public education in the state.

The city has been the only major buyer of state land in the past 18 months. It bought 812 acres in June for the preserve, and 945 acres in November 2007.