Consideration of the Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-33:  A resolution of the Flagstaff City Council, adopting the Greater Observatory Mesa Natural Area Plan.
 

1. Read Resolution No. 2025-33 by title only
2. City Clerk reads Resolution No. 2025-33 by title only (if approved above)
3. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-33

 Plan Development
The Greater Observatory Mesa Area (GOMA) Plan was developed through a collaborative effort between the City of Flagstaff, Lowell Observatory, and Coconino National Forest. The planning process included:

• Reviewing guiding documents such as conservation easements and management policies.
• Assessing current conditions, including user-created trails and environmental impacts.
• Identifying key issues such as archaeological sites, wildlife corridors, and fire management concerns.
• Incorporating public input through multiple phases of outreach and stakeholder meetings.

 
Plan’s Purpose
The primary objective of the GOMA Plan is to establish a formal, managed trail system that provides sustainable recreational opportunities while protecting natural and cultural resources. The plan addresses:

• Habitat and watershed conservation.
• Unauthorized trail use and environmental degradation.
• Community demand for improved recreational access.

 
Public Process
Plan development involved extensive public outreach, including:

• Public engagement through social media campaigns, press releases, flyers, community calendars, property postings, a physical mailer, and mass email notifications.
• Three public surveys were conducted in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
• Three public meetings at various locations in Flagstaff.
• Direct engagement with stakeholders, including land managers, local neighborhoods, advocacy groups, tribal consultation, commissions, and environmental organizations.

Plan Elements
The GOMA Plan outlines a phased approach to trail implementation and management. Key elements include:

• Designation of approximately 20 miles of sustainable single-track trails.
• Approximately 8 miles of trail for adaptive uses.
• Addition of two formal access points, bringing the total to eight.
• Restoration of 4.1 miles of unauthorized trails and 10.5 miles of abandoned roads.
• Development of two educational zones with interpretive signage and experiential learning opportunities.
• Expansion of parking facilities and wayfinding signage.

Next Steps

• Arizona State Parks and Trails plan review
• Develop interagency agreements with partners
• Design and mark trail alignments
• Cultural resource review and clearance with partners
• State Historic Preservation Office project review
• Grant applications to support implementation
• Begin phased implementation of the GOMA plan in FY 2028-2029, (FY 28-35).

1. Project Name: Greater Observatory Mesa Nautral Area Plan
2. Cost: How much will all of this cost?
   1. The Open Space Section’s Capital Improvement Plan has $4.5 million budgeted from FY 28-35 for project implementation. This includes planning, required clearances, trail building, signage, restoration, trailhead/parking development, and trailhead facilities.
3. Account Number Budgeted: 001-11-159
4. FY Budgeted Amounts:
   1. FY 2028-2029: $300,000 Bed, Board, and Beverage (BBB)
   2. FY 2029-2030: $400,000 BBB
   3. FY 2030-2031: $400,000 BBB
   4. FY 2032-2033: $750,000 BBB, $250,000 Potential Grants
   5. FY 2033-2034: $750,000 BBB, $250,000 Potential Grants
   6. FY 2034-2035: $1,150,000 BBB, $250,000 Potential Grants
5. Grant Funded:
   1. This project is a good fit for future grant funding. The Open Space Section will work to identify and apply for grants to supplement this project. The Open Space Section estimates $750,000 in grant dollars to supplement city funds.
6. Funding Source:
   1. Bed, Board, and Beverage (BBB) and prospective grant awards will fund this project. In November 2024, Flagstaff voters approved Proposition 487, extending the BBB sales tax to fund trail plan implementation.

There is no policy impact.
 

Recent City Council Engagement
On May 13, 2025, the City Council reviewed and commented on this project.
 
Public Engagement Overview
Three public engagement periods were completed during the trail plan drafting process. This included a focused stakeholder engagement period where we requested comments and feedback from a range of community organizations working in outdoor recreation, public land stewardship, and community well-being.  Staff brought this topic to the Open Spaces Commission a total of six times.
 
Previous Council Engagement
The Flagstaff City Council adopted the Open Space Management Plan in 2017. This management plan provides a framework for managing the natural, ecological, historical, and recreational resources of open space properties. Resolution No. Resolution 2017-01, was amended by Resolution No. 2020-46.

Option A: Adopt the resolution of the Flagstaff City Council, approving the Greater Observatory Mesa Natural Area Plan as a guiding document for recreational planning and implementation, thus approving staff to move forward with the next steps for implementation.

Option B: Reject the adoption of the resolution and recommend how staff should move forward to manage the Natural Area.
 

The Observatory Mesa Natural Area is a vital ecological and recreational asset for the City of Flagstaff. The land was acquired in 2016 using voter-approved bond funds from 2004, matched with an Arizona State Parks Growing Smarter grant. Because grant funds were utilized to purchase the acreage, the grant agreement bestowed Arizona State Parks a deed of conservation easement over the Property that requires the acreage to be retained as conservation land with recreational access. This conservation easement comes with certain restrictions regarding what developments are allowed, how much property needs to be retained without development, and what type of activities can be permitted on the property. Arizona State Parks has provided a high-level review and feel that the plan aligns with the directives of their deed of conservation easement. Upon city council approval, the State Parks Board is willing to review and comment on the plan and consider approval.
 
The Coconino Forest Service provided input in the creation of this trail plan and has shared that they feel that the plan aligns with Forest Service directives. Upon City Council approval of the Trail Plan, they are willing to review and potentially approve a special use permit that would allow the implementation of the final trail plan. The Forest Service doesn’t have any initial concerns and does not anticipate the need for additional public scoping given the lengthy scoping that the city has completed. Upon approval of a special use permit, the Forest Service would allow the City to implement and maintain trails across its jurisdictional boundaries to provide recreational benefits to the public.
 
Lowell Observatory is privately owned and operated; Section 17 being deeded to Lowell in 1910. Though the primary mission of Lowell Observatory is to pursue the study of astronomy and provide astronomical education, the Observatory has always generously permitted walkers and bikers to enjoy its Property. In the early 1990s, Lowell Observatory granted the City of Flagstaff an easement for the Flagstaff Urban Trail segment, Mars Hill, that runs from Thorpe Park through the northern part of Lowell Observatory’s Property.  The Observatory was engaged during the process, and they are interested in retaining substantial open space to benefit their campus and the community. With this goal, Lowell Observatory has supported the development of this plan and is interested in dedicating a formal trail system that complements its campus and the community. However, they are still working out their timeline for involvement and determining what that looks like. Trail alignments associated with Lowell’s property are therefore placed in the long-term plan objectives. Staff will continue to work with all land manager partners as they move forward.
 

The Greater Observatory Mesa Natural Area Plan primarily supports the following PBB programs:
 
Livable Community:

• Provide amenities and activities that support a healthy lifestyle.

Environmental Stewardship:

• Promote, protect, and enhance a healthy, sustainable environment and its natural resources.

Safe and Healthy Community:

• Promote physical and mental well-being through providing recreational opportunities, parks, open space, and active transportation options.

Inclusive and Engaged Community:

• Promote environmental justice and access to environmental benefits.

The Flagstaff Regional Plan 2030 aims to increase pedestrian infrastructure and establish a system of open lands, including natural areas, wildlife corridors, trails, and access to public lands; thus, the Greater Observatory Mesa Natural Area Plan supports:

• Goal E&C.6. Protect, restore, and improve ecosystem health.
• Goal OS.1. Develop a regional system of open lands, such as undeveloped natural areas, wildlife corridors and habitat areas, trails, access to public lands, and greenways to support the natural environment that sustains our quality of life, cultural heritage, and ecosystem health.

The Greater Observatory Mesa Natural Area Plan aligns with the following priorities of the Carbon Neutrality Plan.

• Healthy Forests and Open Spaces
  • HF-1 Protect existing forests, resources, and meaningful open spaces. 
• Decrease Dependence on Cars:
  • DD-2 Create inclusive networks for walking and biking that are continuous, attractive, safe, comprehensive, and convenient for people of all ages. 
  • DD-3 Encourage Flagstaff residents and visitors to walk, bike, roll, and take the bus. 

The Ten-Year Housing Plan identifies that research has shown that neighborhoods can be a good predictor of health and that it is imperative to place housing in areas of opportunity, such as open spaces and other important considerations. The Greater Observatory Mesa Natural Area Plan provides neighborhoods with access to open space and recreational opportunities.
 

The Active Transportation Master Plan emphasizes the importance of open spaces in fostering inclusive walking and biking networks that promote community health. The Greater Observatory Mesa Natural Area Plan provides neighborhoods with access to open space and recreational opportunities.