Oro Valley accepts state grant to fund ADA trail work at Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve

The Oro Valley Town Council on Aug. 13 approved Resolution R25-42 accepting a grant from the Arizona State Parks recreational trails program to fund Americans with Disabilities Act improvements at Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve.

Councilmember Jones Ivy, who asked that item J be pulled from the consent agenda, said she had received community questions about whether the grant would fund new trails in areas that neighbors oppose. “There seems to be some idea that ADA trails are going to be new trails,” she said.

Town staff said the grant will fund both construction of a new decomposed-granite trail around the pond and repairs to the existing concrete path. “About, the grant is 80, about almost $87,000 of it is for construction of a new compacted ed decomposed granite trail. … The other part of this, about $55,000 of it, is for repairs to the current trail,” a staff member told council. Staff also said approximately $2,700 is included for additional safety signage.

Vice Mayor Murphy moved to approve the resolution; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Council members and staff committed to public outreach and said the consultant designing the trail will know the available budget and will present proposed designs to council before any work begins. “They will be presented to council prior to any work being done,” staff said in response to Jones Ivy’s question about community notice.

The grant acceptance does not itself approve final plans or construction. Staff said the design consultant will return with recommendations and that council approval and public notification will precede construction.

The resolution passed without opposition.