Oro Valley council gets 30% design for Vistoso pond; residents press for faster construction, raise water and parking concerns

The Oro Valley Town Council on Sept. 17 received a 30% design update for the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve Desert Ecosystem Restoration Project, including plans for a 2.5‑acre pond fed with reclaimed water and detailed designs for circulation, liner options and landscaping.

The presentation by Rebecca Field, senior project manager with Kimley‑Horn and Associates, described the pond as about 8 feet deep with a safety shelf and two liner options under consideration, including a poured-in-place liner (ESS‑13). Field said the pond’s circulation will rely partly on irrigating adjacent landscaping and that staff added a memorial plaza after a donation from a private resident. She told council the pond design package has reached 30% and that the team is aiming for 60% by year end and 90% in January, with bidding possible after 90% design.

Why it matters: the pond has been a long‑promised element of the preserve since the town acquired the former golf course; neighbors and trail users said its degraded condition is a safety and aesthetic problem. Council, staff and nearby residents debated how quickly the town can finish design, go to bid and begin construction, and whether reclaimed water and parking plans are acceptable.

Key details from the presentation and public comments:

- Design and timeline: Kimley‑Horn presented detailed cross‑sections showing liner,…