BY LINDA BENTLEY | AUGUST 7, 2013
Final draft of Lake Pleasant Regional Park Trails Master Plan
The proposed trails will allow continuous travel from Cave Creek Regional Park to White Tank Mountain Regional Park
CAVE CREEK – Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department (MCPRD) will be sharing the final draft of Lake Pleasant Regional Park’s Trails Master Plan at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12 in the park’s Operations Building.
The park currently has two trails, Pipeline Canyon and Roadrunner, which, combined, are only 2.8 miles in length.
The draft proposal is for the construction of 17 new trails that will give the park a total of 25.15 miles of multi-use trails.
Because the population of Maricopa County has increased by nearly 25 percent over the past 10 years, the department agreed the time has come to expand the park’s services.
MCPRD Director R.J. Cardin said, “Over the years the focus of the park has been water-based activities. By developing the trail system in the park, we’re providing residents with a venue to not only boat and fish but also hike, mountain bike, horseback ride and connect with nature with the lake as a scenic backdrop.”
The proposed mixture of new and connector trails will also link the park to the Maricopa Trail, which will allow visitors continuous travel from Cave Creek Regional Park to White Tank Mountain Regional Park.
Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Andy Kunasek said, “It’s thrilling to think that those using the trail will be able to travel close to 60 miles on a country trail.”
Cardin noted as part of the development of the designated trail system there is also a need to close some unauthorized routes.
He said, “When we developed the trail plan, we did take unauthorized routes into consideration. There are routes that we will be able to use once we bring them up to our trail standards.”
However, Cardin said other areas will be closed for both safety and/or conservation concerns and the park will take steps to restore those areas.
More information about the proposed project can be found online along with a form for public comment, which MCPRD will be accepting through Aug, 26.
Lake Pleasant Regional Park is located at 41835 N. Castle Hot Springs Rd., Morristown, AZ 85342.
