On Friday, July 15, the Town of Oro Valley invites the community to a ribbon cutting in celebration of the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve (formerly known as the Vistoso Golf Course). Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve is an open space that will provide Oro Valley residents and visitors an opportunity for passive recreation such as walking, biking and bird watching.
The ceremony starts at 8:30 a.m. and will be held just behind the former clubhouse. Parking will be available at 665 W. Vistoso Highlands. The ribbon cutting celebrates the community-wide effort that went into purchasing this property. The event will feature remarks from Town Manager Mary Jacobs, Parks and Recreation Director Kristy Diaz-Trahan and Mayor Joe Winfield.
In February 2022, the Town of Oro Valley announced the final settlement agreement and purchase of the 202-acre property. Initially purchased by The Conservation Fund (TCF), TCF worked with a landscaping company to perform initial site cleanup around the path and underpasses and remove the thistle overgrowth. This week, the Town takes control of maintenance and operation responsibilities for the Preserve.
Work will also soon begin on safety improvements including repairs and upgrades of the paved pathways, and general maintenance of the open space. A temporary trailhead has been designated near the former clubhouse, on the 6.3-acre parcel of land that was purchased by independent developer Ross Rulney and is not part of the Town-owned 202-acre parcel. Trail users should be mindful that access is generously being granted on a temporary basis. Also, please note that restrooms will remain closed as staff will need to address the best way to make necessary improvements, to include adding ADA accessibility.
The Town will begin a master planning process for the property sometime in the fall. The planning process will gather community input about how Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve could be improved, programmed and maintained. Stay up-to-date by following us on social media or by visiting the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve webpage at orovalleyaz.gov, which can be found by clicking here. For a trail map, click here or see the image below.
For more information about the ribbon cutting, contact the Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Department at 520-229-5050 or email recreation@orovalleyaz.gov. For more information about the history of Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve, click here to read the press release that announced the purchase and final settlement of the property.
Original source can be found here.
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