Kyle Packer, senior planner for the Town of Oro Valley, presented the 60% draft of the OV Trails Connect trails and paths master plan at the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board special session on Nov. 4.

Packer said the plan covers four core categories — unpaved trails, the Loop, Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve and multi-use paths (MUPs) — and summarized public engagement to date: an online survey with 735 responses, five trail-side chats that produced roughly 700 comments, and conversations with regional partners. “Oro Valley residents value a comprehensive and inviting trails and paths network that brings users of all abilities into the beautiful desert environment,” Packer read as the draft vision.

The draft includes 10 guiding principles grouped under reinvesting in existing assets, enhancing community connectivity, growing a safe and accessible network, and improving signage and wayfinding. Packer told the board that roughly three-quarters to 90% of survey respondents rated trail assets as important or very important and that 67% of respondents use apps to navigate trails, prompting an emphasis on digital map exports and GIS data.

Questions from board members and attendees focused on implementation and safety. A board member asked about funding for a 10-year plan and the risk that federal and state programs could change. Packer said the consultant identified a range of funding approaches — capital projects, annual general-fund allocations, volunteer labor and partnerships — and described the plan as aspirational, with some items feasible through staff or volunteers instead of large expenditures.

Board members asked whether Oro Valley or regional partners maintain specific segments, particularly sections of the Loop. Packer and staff said maintenance frequently depends on existing agreements with Pima County and other agencies; improvements on other agencies’ property (for example, Catalina State Park or ADOT-controlled corridors) would likely fall to those entities, though cost-sharing and coordination are possible.

Safety questions included high bicycle counts on Vistoso Trails, etiquette between bicycles and other users, and e-bike impacts. Packer relayed that Pima County has not reported significant litigation tied to e-bike speeds but that Catalina State Park has seen more rescues involving e-bikes as the devices enable riders to reach more remote terrain. The draft implementation table flags etiquette signage, wayfinding and safety features as near-term priorities.

On priorities, the implementation table presented short-, mid- and long-term tasks without fixed dollar figures (planners noted costs fluctuate over a multi‑decade horizon). Across categories, maintaining existing trails and paved paths was the top priority. Other priorities included expanding multi-use paths along key arterials, improving digital and physical wayfinding resources, adding benches/shade and ADA-access improvements, and creating amenitized trailheads with parking and restrooms.

Multiple board members and attendees urged a structured volunteer program and community fundraising to extend staff capacity. One participant described a certified volunteer program used elsewhere for trail maintenance and equipment operation; Packer encouraged providing examples and said the town’s outreach summary shows strong volunteer interest.

Packer said next steps include stakeholder meetings, additional outreach and a planned presentation of a 90% draft to the board in the first quarter of 2026 before moving to Town Council for council consideration. He directed interested residents and stakeholders to ovtrailsconnect.com for maps and to join the trails stakeholder group to receive updates.