Residents say work at Piestewa Peak preserve blocked trails and lacked public notice; council asked staff to follow up
Loading...
Summary
Several residents urged the council to stop a construction project at Piestewa Peak’s Ocotillo/Okotillo Ramada, saying fences and blocked roads denied public access and that appropriate public notice and approvals were not evident.
Multiple residents told the Phoenix City Council on May 7 that construction activity at Piestewa Peak (the Phoenix Mountains Preserve) has blocked a public ramada and adjacent trails, and that they were not given prior notice or opportunity for input.
Ernest Martinez, former chairman and current treasurer of the Piestewa Fallen Heroes Memorial, said hikers and preserve users were “blindsided when we found the road to the Ocotillo Ramada ... blocked” and that a large fence stopped the public from using the ramada and accessing nearby trails. Martinez said no explanatory signs or notices were posted and requested that construction be stopped immediately to allow public input.
Several other speakers echoed the call for transparency and a halt to work. Tim Sercowske said park rangers and city staff did not have information about the project and asked who authorized the work and where the funding came from. Jerry Van Gass cited the City Charter’s mountain‑preserve provisions, urging that preserves be maintained “in as pristine state as possible” and asserting that alterations should come before council.
Speakers described visible changes including a fence blocking access and a proposed bridge and landing shown in plans; Martinez said plans revealed a “140 foot bridge and visible landing and amenities across the wash,” and he questioned whether the changes preserve the natural character of the site.
Council members responded by asking staff to follow up and by offering to have city teams contact the commenters. No formal council action to stop work or to initiate a review was taken at the meeting; public commenters asked the council to stop construction and to provide public notice and engagement.
The council clerk said staff would follow up with Ernest Martinez and other speakers after the meeting. Residents said they want construction paused until public input and charter‑required review are assured.
