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Residents demand answers after crews ‘obliterated’ nature trail at Piestewa area of Phoenix Mountain Preserve
Summary
Multiple residents said crews removed a well-used nature trail in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve without posted permits or public notice and asked the Parks Board to place the issue on a future agenda; speakers said they filed records requests and called for greater transparency.
Several residents urged the Parks Board to explain recent work that they say removed a well-used nature trail near Piestewa in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, describing the change as an unannounced obliteration and demanding the issue be placed on a board agenda.
"This wasn't repair work. It wasn't necessary. It's just removal with no explanation," Jessica Dobbs, a resident and longtime preserve user, told the board during the Call to the Public. Dobbs said crews "obliterated" the trail and that there were no posted permits, job boards or family notification prior to the work. She said the community has submitted 13 public-records requests seeking details about approvals and funding.
Jerry Van Gass, who identifies himself as a preserve watchdog, told the board the change followed a construction-style blading of the trail and said Native American community members were offended that the project removed a route used for sunrise ceremonies. Tim Sercowski (identified in remarks as "Tim Sears" and later self-corrected) called the effort a "bridge to nowhere," criticized lack of public input and asked who authorized the work.
Why it matters: Speakers framed the incident as a transparency and prioritization problem — they contrasted the unannounced trail removal with slow progress on other park projects such as the South Mountain activity complex and North Mountain renovations. Residents asked for a formal explanation and documentation of approvals and funding.
Requests and next steps Public commenters asked the Parks Board to place the item on the next meeting agenda and to provide an explanation of who authorized the work, the source of funding and why the project proceeded without public notice. The community requested a staff report responding to 13 public-records requests and to explain whether city charter or preserve-management rules permitted the action.
Board response At the meeting’s close, board leadership acknowledged the comments and did not take formal action on the item; speakers said they will return and requested the matter appear on next month’s agenda.
Ending: Residents said they will continue to pursue public records and push the board to add a staff report to the agenda to explain approvals, funding and the rationale for the trail removal.
