City and county propose IGA to formalize Elks Lodge social trail; plan would rely on easements and county maintenance

Coconino County and City of Flagstaff staff told the April 14 joint meeting they plan to pursue permanent public access for an existing social route known as the Elks Lodge Trail, which connects neighborhoods near the hospital to the Schultz Pass trailhead.

Cynthia Nemeth, Parks and Recreation Director for Coconino County, and Martin Entz, senior transportation planner for the City of Flagstaff, described a roughly two‑mile alignment that is currently user‑created across private property and has been in public use for “25, 30 years or so.” “This social trail has been in use by the community from what we can tell 25, 30 years or so,” Nemeth said.

Why formalize it Staff told the boards that converting the route to a formal, managed trail would preserve the community access that currently exists, reduce informal braiding and erosion, allow intentional siting to avoid cultural or environmental impacts, and give officials the ability to sign and maintain the route. Martin Entz said the trail’s primary function is to provide access from neighborhoods to the network of Mount Elden and Dry Lakes single‑track trails rather than acting as a destination trail itself: “This trail is really not a destination in and of itself. People don't typically use it just to be on the Elks Lodge Trail, but they do use it to get to other trails,” he said.

Property rights and approach Staff said the alignment crosses roughly 28 private parcels and that a portion of the northern end includes about 90 acres owned by the Museum of Northern Arizona; the museum holds a conservation easement on part of that land that contemplates passive recreation but staff said the museum was not satisfied with the existing worn alignment and requested realignment in places. Presenters said they have met with the two homeowners’ associations that cover the area and held multiple property‑owner conversations; city and county staff plan further outreach and one‑on‑one meetings with owners who have not yet engaged.

Proposed intergovernmental agreement and roles County and city staff presented a draft intergovernmental agreement (IGA) approach: the city could use available acquisition funds authorized under ordinance 2022‑26 to acquire easements or other rights where needed; the county would lead construction, long‑term maintenance and day‑to‑day management once the trail is formalized. Staff said the IGA would be presented to both bodies for approval after further property outreach and final alignment work.

Next steps and related planning Staff said the trail planning will proceed in coordination with Phase 5 of the Schweitzer Canyon transmission waterline planning (the city’s utility project that follows much of the same corridor) and with the Forest Service’s Mount Elden/Dry Lakes recreation planning. The presenters said some segments may be built as maintenance or utility access roads where the waterline requires them, and other segments will be single‑track trail constructed to sustainability standards. Presenters emphasized the county’s experience building and maintaining single‑track trails and said the county would assume maintenance if the IGA proceeds.

Speakers cited in this article include Cynthia Nemeth (Parks and Recreation Director, Coconino County) and Martin Entz (Senior Transportation Planner, City of Flagstaff).