Picture Canyon Natural and Cultural Preserve: New Proposed Trail - Don Weaver Trail Canyon Route

Decision Item. The Commission should consider what recommendation you would like to make to the Open Space Section regarding how to proceed with this potential project proposal.

Options for consideration:

1. Consider a recommendation for a new trail alignment for the Don Weaver Trail for walkers and runners.
2. Consider a recommendation to maintain the current trail alignments as they are, without the addition of a new alignment for the Don Weaver Trail.

Consideration and discussion of a project that proposes to construct a new trail that parallels the canyon on the north side. Staff will lead the Open Spaces Commission along the proposed route to enhance understanding of a trail project proposal, offer the opportunity for feedback, and prepare the Commission to vote on a recommendation for next steps for the potential addition of a trail at the Picture Canyon Natural and Cultural Preserve.
 
This project would construct a new trail that parallels the canyon on the north side. Project work would be done with hand tools, thus minimizing indirect impacts to property, resources, and vegetation. The new trail will be two feet wide. The realignment of the Don Weaver Trail could enhance the hiking experience for visitors while safeguarding archaeological features from unauthorized access. Currently, visitors often stray onto visually appealing but unsanctioned areas along the proposed realignment route. By realigning the trail, we can guide visitors along the north rim of the canyon, providing them with views and a preferred experience. 
 
Considerations:

• Development constraints:
  • Deed of Conservation Easement
    • 478-acre Preserve, 20 acres of development permitted, Original Developed Acreage: 9.26 acres, ~50% developed as defined by the Deed of Conservation Easement
  • Open Space Management Plan
    • Open Space Program staff developed the management plan in partnership with stakeholders to provide a framework for managing the natural, ecological, historical, and recreational resources on legally-designated open space properties to minimize conflict and degradation. The plan identifies general management policies, and specific resource- and property-related management goals, policies, and actions in each chapter.
    • Four existing trails; Arizona Trail, Don Weaver, Tom Moody, Water Bird, totaling ~5.7 miles.
    • Planned Management Actions: outlined in Chapter 2.3.2, includes: Coordinate with the State Historic Preservation Office to develop an alignment for the Don Weaver Trail.
• Additional development from adding this trail alignment:
  • The whole Don Weaver Trail (from near the foot bridge to where it breaks off of the Tom Moody Trail near the beginning) is 0.7 miles long. The new trail would realign about 2/3 of that route (about 0.5 miles). The trail would be a single track—about 2 feet wide, with at least a foot of buffer on each side.
  • ~10,560 sq feet, ~ 0.24 acres.
• Important Considerations:
  • Trail alignment has benefits:
    • Provides a better experience
    • May help minimize social trailing
    • Aligns with the Management Plan
    • Aligns with the Conservation Easement
  • Trail alignment concerns:
    • Likely not a multi-use trail due to terrain. It would mainly serve walking and running.
      • The pipeline road would still be open to people who needed more space for biking and equestrian use.
    • May impact the viewshed from the south side of the canyon.
    • May cause additional unintended resource damage, such as additional social trail from the new alignment that impacts natural and cultural resources.
    • The more developed the location, the more it can impact experiences related to solitude.
    • Not identified as a current Capital Improvement Project priority, so no current funding is available to support the project.
    • Creates a parallel route, and duality is not always favored.

Next Steps for consideration:

• OSC recommendation to the OS Section
• State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) project review to obtain input on project feasibility.
• Arizona State Parks and Trails update and input on project feasibility.
• Public engagement.
  • Tribal consultation
  • Community feedback
• Finalize concept proposal.
• Arizona State Parks and Trails approval.
• Scheduling, planning, funding, and implementation.

Question for the commission: What is your recommendation to our Section on how you would like us to proceed with this project proposal?