The Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department recently completed construction of three-miles of new trails along the Maricopa Trail. This segment of trails connects the southeast corner of White Tank Mountain Regional Park to the Jackrabbit Trail Park and Ride in Buckeye. Combined with previously built, but disconnected portions of the trail, this opening creates an eight-mile portion of the Maricopa Trail for hikers, equestrians and mountain bike enthusiasts.
“Most of the work was completed by a County contractor. However, this March, the Arizona Professional Land Surveyors celebrated National Surveyor’s Week by assigning volunteers to lay out the trail for the contractor. Three private land surveying firms, Wilson & Company, Hoskin Ryan Consultants, and Bowman Consulting, all sent surveyors and volunteers to help with this effort,” said Maricopa County Supervisor Andy Kunasek, District 3.
In addition to the surveying work, Case New Holland supplied equipment and personnel to complete extensive earthwork, and culvert placement that was required before the departments’ contractor could build the trail.
“This is exciting news,” commented Supervisor Clint Hickman, District 4. “I’m a big supporter of the Maricopa Trail, and it’s great to see the excellent progress that is being made on it, especially through partnerships and volunteer efforts.”
The Maricopa Trail was authorized by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors in 2004, and is approximately 60 percent complete. When completed, the Maricopa Trail will be approximately 240-miles in length winding around the Valley connecting all of Maricopa County’s regional parks together.
“Nobody can do everything alone but collectively we can do a great deal to enhance the landscape of Arizona. Hoskin Ryan has always believed in giving back to the community and the people who make this state one of a kind,” said Marketing and Business Development Manager for Hoskin Ryan Consulting Kristina Locke.
In conjunction with National Surveyor’s Week, Mike Franks, a Survey Chief of Parties and Michael Banta RLS, Survey Manager at Hoskin Ryan volunteered time and provided survey services by staking a portion of a new piece of the Maricopa Trail that will connect the trail to the White Tanks Regional Park. The Maricopa Trail is encompassed within one of the largest regional park systems in the nation. Maricopa County has over 120,000 acres of open space parks, which include hundreds of miles of campgrounds, trails, nature centers and desert views. Maricopa County’s Parks and Recreation Department’s vision is to connect residents and visitors with nature, cultivate an appreciation for the Sonoran Desert’s natural beauty, and create positive lasting memories.
The new trail segment may be accessed from White Tank Mountain Regional Park. Maps for completed segments of the regional trail system can be found at http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/MaricopaTrail/. Individuals and agencies interested in donating their time and expertise to the trail system are asked to contact the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department.
