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Item # D.
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| Town Council Regular Session |
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| Information |
| SUBJECT: |
| Resolution No. (R)17-19, authorizing the acceptance of an easement for a future public trailhead, parking area and trail segment on the southwest side of the Big Wash Bridge along Rancho Vistoso Boulevard |
| RECOMMENDATION: |
| Staff recommends acceptance of the easement. |
| EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: |
| The easement is shown in Exhibit “A” and will be granted to the Town for a public trailhead, parking lot and trail segment located just southwest of the Big Wash bridge on Rancho Vistoso Boulevard. This trail access point and trail amenities will provide a primary route for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians to travel both north and south along the Big Wash Trail, to be located on the banks and bottom of the wash. |
| BACKGROUND OR DETAILED INFORMATION: |
The Big Wash Trail will be an integral part of both the regional and Oro Valley trail systems, connecting the Town with facilities in both Pima County and Pinal County. The trail was envisioned in the Rancho Vistoso PAD since 1987. It has also been part of the Oro Valley Trails Task Force Report (2002). It will be only one of the two trails in Oro Valley that connects to Arizona State Trust land north of the Town.
The Big Wash Trail will relieve the impact of users on the other trails connected to State Trust Land, including the WAPA trail adjacent to Honey Bee Estates. It will be designed and positioned in a manner to have little or no impact on adjacent subdivisions.
In conjunction with Pima County, a trail through Big Wash was identified as a major route through the community. The trail will also be part of a regional system to be known as the Heritage Trail. This new trail will allow hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians access to the State Land to the north, as well as to points south. As part of this process, a trailhead location was also identified as an additional amenity to users. The WAPA trail location did not have a trailhead location nearby, resulting in issues with parking in nearby neighborhoods and businesses.
Staff has worked with the land owner, Mark Winkleman, and consultant, The WLB Group, to obtain an easement on the property for a public trailhead, parking area and trail segment. This easement is good for only 3 years. A rezoning application is in process. If that application is approved, the Town will include a request for full dedication and construction. If the rezoning is not approved, the Town will need to renegotiate. In the interim, any improvements on the Town’s part will be minimal. The trail itself will be created through volunteer efforts and a partnership with Pima County. |
| FISCAL IMPACT: |
The Town will be constructing a simple trailhead at minimal cost. In order to allow users access to the new Big Wash trail in an expeditious manner, the new trailhead will be dirt or finely crushed decomposed gravel, with clearly delineated parking spaces. Future improvements to be completed by the developer, will include a paved lot with equestrian parking spaces, a restroom, and water may be available for those utilizing the trail.
The Town will be responsible for the maintenance of these amenities upon acceptance of the constructed improvements through the Parks and Recreation Department’s regular maintenance schedule. It is anticipated that some of the trail user groups may assist with the upkeep of the trail segment itself through the Adopt-A-Trail program. |
| SUGGESTED MOTION: |
| I MOVE to (approve or deny) Resolution No. (R)17-19, authorizing the acceptance of an easement for a future public trailhead, parking area and trail segment on the Southwest side of the Big Wash bridge along Rancho Vistoso Boulevard. |
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