Consultants present conceptual Glassford Dells master plan after 1,900-response survey
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Summary
Planning Center consultants told the council a statistically valid survey (nearly 1,900 responses) shows strong community interest in trails, shaded picnic areas and active amenities; the conceptual master plan shows East and South gateways, summit viewpoints and amenities to increase visitation.
Consultants from the Planning Center presented a conceptual master plan for Glassford Dells and summarized community feedback from a statistically valid survey that received nearly 1,900 responses.
Daniel Bradshaw (principal landscape architect) and Brian Underwood (principal planner) emphasized that the materials are conceptual illustrations intended to establish a vision, not engineering-level designs. "Everything we’re doing is for the purposes of creating a vision," Bradshaw said.
Underwood summarized survey findings, saying about half of respondents had never been to Glassford Hill and that the proposed amenities could increase use: instead of half the population never visiting, only about 15% said they still might not visit after the improvements. The survey showed area-specific support—62% approval for the summit viewing area and 79% approval for the East Gateway—while households with children strongly favored active amenities such as a playground, splash pad, ropes course and pump track.
The conceptual master plan depicts three primary zones: a South Gate trailhead with parking and restrooms; an East Gateway adjacent to Jasper Parkway with active amenities and a proposed community hub; and a summit viewing area for passive recreation and interpretive signage. The consultants also illustrated a potential 18-hole disc golf course spread across roughly 40 acres and a proposed wildlife watering hole east of existing water tanks.
Council members asked about funding and operations. Staff said design and engineering would be addressed through the annual budget process and by pursuing grant funding; any staffed attractions (for example, a ropes course) could be operated by town staff or through public–private partnerships with associated fees. One council member cautioned the plan could be expensive and urged prioritizing high-survey items (trails, shade and passive recreation) and seeking grants or corporate sponsorships.
Staff confirmed they had discussed opportunities with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension for programming and potential grant collaboration. Council and staff reiterated that the master plan is conceptual and would require phased implementation, engineering and future budget approvals before construction.
Next steps identified by consultants include using the survey to refine first-phase items (trailheads, ramadas, picnic amenities), completing engineering and design, preparing bid packages and pursuing grant opportunities; no final decisions were made at the session.