North Pima News

The Town of Oro Valley is holding an open house on Wednesday, Jan. 25 for the community to review the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve Master Plan Community Input Report. The open house, which will be held in the newly restored Garage at Steam Pump Ranch (10901 N. Oracle Road) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., will allow community members to drop in at their convenience to review the data gathered from previous public engagement meetings, provide feedback and learn about the Master Planning process.

In November 2022, the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve Master Plan consultant team, Sites Southwest came to Oro Valley to conduct site observations and meet with stakeholders and the community. During that visit, several public engagement meetings were held, focused on listening to residents’ vision for the future of the 202-acre open space. In addition, there was an online survey that resulted in over 600 responses. Sites Southwest has completed its analysis and compiled the findings. The goal of the open house is to ensure Sites Southwest captured community feedback and to address anything they may have missed. It is important to note that the Vistoso Trails Preserve Master Plan Community Input Report is merely a summary of findings; it is not a recommendation. The recommendations will come later in the year.

For those who would like to review the report before the meeting, the Community Input Report can be found by clicking here or pasting the following URL into a web browser: https://www.orovalleyaz.gov/files/assets/public/documents/parks-and-recreation/parks/final-vistoso-trails-community-input-report.pdf.

Those who cannot attend the Jan. 25 open house, can review the report and email comments to project manager, Liz Cole at lcole@sites-sw.com 

Sites Southwest is scheduled to present the first draft of the Master Plan to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) on Feb. 21, and to Town Council on March 15. The final draft of the Master Plan will be presented to PRAB on April 18, and then to Town Council on May 3. At these meetings, there will be additional opportunities for the public to share feedback. To follow along with the Master Planning process and view schedules, timelines and completed documents, visit orovalleyaz.gov and search VISTOSO TRAILS NATURE PRESERVE or click here.

About Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve

The 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. Formerly known as the Vistoso Golf Course, the Town of Oro Valley acquired the property in summer 2022. An existing 6.2 mile path winds through the property providing visitors with views of the Catalina and Tortolita mountains, examples of varied desert vegetation, and the opportunity to view an abundance of wildlife. The Preserve is open from dawn to dusk, and temporary parking is at 945 W. Vistoso Highlands Drive. 

Original source can be found here.