​​​​​​​​​Natural Resource Division Projects

NORTH MOUNTAIN PARK MASTER PLAN

Updated 6/20/2023

The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department is excited to announce the redevelopment of North Mountain Park. An initial Master Plan Public Opinion Survey was open from November 28 through January 1, 2023.  Feedback from this survey is being used to develop a master plan for potential future park amenities and improvements.  Once the master plan is finalized, design and construction will take place over the next several years.

Two design concepts were created, and an open house was held at the North Mountain Visitor Center on April 5, 2023 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. The public had the opportunity to review the designs and speak with the staff and the design team. A comment form was available to share remarks. For those unable to attend the open house and wishing to provide comments, a Master Plan Concepts Survey was available online from  April 5 through April 21, 2023. 

The project team used the feedback to further refine the concepts into one draft master plan. This plan was presented at the follow up open house on June 20, 2023 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Once again, the public had the opportunity to review the designs and speak with the staff and the design team. A comment form was available to share remarks. For those unable to attend the open house and wishing to provide comments, a Master Plan Preferred Alternative Survey is available online from April 5 through Friday, July 14, 2023.

Please share your thoughts on the plans on the North Mountain Park Renovation Survey​

We've also provided high resolution versions of the exhibits that were shared at our most recent meeting in the links below:

North Mountain Park Preferred Alternative_2023.06.15.pdf ​

​​North Mountain Conceptual Imagery.pdf

North Mountain Conceptual Perspective Views.pdf


​​​Those who respond to the survey will be included on the email notification list and receive notice of future meetings. Additional updates will be provided as they become available.


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DREAMY DRAW PARK PROJECT

​Updated 9/29/2023 – Dreamy Draw is Now Open to the Public!

The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department is excited to announce the completion of the redevelopment of the Dreamy Draw Park/Trailhead. The trailhead offers an expanded parking area, including six ADA accessible parking spaces, four new and two refurbished ramadas, and a new, six stall gender-neutral restroom.  Four designated pull-through equestrian trailer parking spaces are available for easy access, and a bike lane redesign which includes an adjacent natural surface walking path.  There are ADA accessible routes from the parking lot to the ramadas, restroom and to the Dreamy Draw Bike Path. The Dreamy Draw Trailhead is located on the site of the Dreamy Draw Dam.

 

Dreamy Draw Park Construction Timeline:

  • Construction demolition began Tuesday, July 5, 2022. 
  • Demolition of the current parking lot, ranger station, and restrooms completed July 22, 2022.
  • Valley Rain Construction was selected as the project contractor. Valley Rain is an award-winning contractor with extensive experience constructing parks, trailheads, and other recreational facilities. They recently completed renovations at Piestewa Peak in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve.
  • Construction and renovations completed September 5, 2023.

 

Grand reopening celebration was held on September 7, 2023





​Trail 25

Updated 3/1/2023

Trail 25 has served as a connector between Lookout Mountain and the rest of the Phoenix Mountains Preserve for about 20 years. The existing Trail 25 alignment largely utilizes the golf cart path. Unfortunately, this shared use arrangement with golf carts, hikers, and cyclists has caused conflicts.

The City of Phoenix, with the assistance of Councilwoman Debra Stark, has met with stakeholders in the surrounding neighborhoods to explore potential Trail 25 reroutes. After several on-site and virtual meetings, a new proposed alignment was identified. City Staff had discussions with HOAs on the proposed alignment and the trails adjacent to HOA owned land. Some of the original proposed alignment was on HOA land, so an alternate alignment has been identified to share with the HOA which keeps the trail off of HOA land and still provides trail access through the area as needed.     

With the new proposed alignment, the City and stakeholders seek to:

  • Reduce potential conflicts by minimizing the trail's use of the golf cart path.
  • Construct the trail as natural surface trail, to provide a more enjoyable, natural hiking experience for trail users, like the existing Preserve trails.
  • Utilize existing trail easements where possible, reducing the need for new easements.


Questions and Answers

  • Q: Is the proposed alignment the final alignment?

  • A: No. We continue to receive and consider feedback on the proposed alignment to help inform decisions on the final alignment.

  • Q: What happens after the City stops taking public comment on October 31?

  • A: The final alignments have not yet been reviewed. Once reviewed, the public will be notified of follow-up meetings or outreach. After the final alignment is confirmed, the easement amendment process would move forward. When all amendments are filed, trail alterations will then take place.

  • Q: Will the City need to construct a new underpass to get under Thunderbird Road?

  • A: No. There is an existing underpass as shown on the map (labeled in yellow) that connects Trail 25 to the south side of Thunderbird Rd. Construction of a new underpass will not be necessary.

  • Q: Will the trail experience be significantly different from what it is today?

  • A: The majority of the proposed alignment remains within the golf course perimeter. The intent is to provide a natural surface trail adjacent/relatively close to the paved cart path, keeping the trail experience essentially the same.

  • Q: Does the effort to realign Trail 25 affect the use of the sidewalk on the east side of Pointe Golf Club Drive?

  • A: No, The sidewalk on the east side of Pointe Golf Club Drive (Trail 25A) is not being considered as the Proposed Trail 25 alignment. The sidewalk is - and will continue to be available to walk as an alternative to the natural surface Trail 25. Those who choose to use Trail 25A/sidewalk can utilize the crosswalk at the traffic signal at the Thunderbird/Pointe Golf Club Drive intersection.​​

  • Q: Will there be pavement markings or a crosswalk on Point Golf Club Drive where the trail crosses the street?

  • ​A: ​The Streets Department has determined that a crosswalk is not necessary for this site. There is signage indicating the trail alignment on both sides of the road at the upper crossing point.​


Trail 25 Map

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