Citizen Portal
Sign In

Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.

Claim Your Spot

Payson Parks & Recreation: Ubuntu Trail near completion; disc golf ribbon cutting set for April 10

Common Council of the Town of Payson · March 25, 2026
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

Parks & Recreation reported progress on regional trail planning and two trailheads (Cypress and Granite Dells), said the Ubuntu Trail is 98% complete with a ribbon cutting April 17, and announced an 18‑hole disc golf course opening April 10; staff outlined grant plans and estimated roughly $1 million per trailhead construction cost.

Payson’s Parks & Recreation director updated the council March 25 on multiple trail projects and community events as town leaders work to expand outdoor recreation and tourism.

Steve Richardson (speaker 18) said the Cypress and Granite Dells trailhead projects have 95% permit drawings completed (March 19) and that final construction documents are expected by May 7, with full design and engineering due by May 21. Richardson said the projects are being structured to secure grant funding, including a Transportation Alternatives (TA) grant that requires about a 5% local match; staff estimated roughly $1,000,000 per trailhead and a local match in the neighborhood of $115,000.

Ubuntu Trail: Richardson said the new Ubuntu Trail at the event center is about 98% complete. He explained the trail name’s South African origin and credited volunteers, the Rim Country Mountain Bike Association and other local partners. The ribbon cutting was set for Friday, April 17 at 1:30 p.m. to precede the NICA state championship event the next day; staff estimated 350–400 riders will attend the weekend event.

Disc golf: Parks staff announced an 18‑hole disc golf course at the event center that will have a ribbon cutting April 10 at 9 a.m. Richardson said the course was built in‑house and cost about $13,000 for baskets and concrete; staff will release promotional material ahead of the opening.

Regional coordination and volunteers: The presentation stressed collaboration with the Forest Service, Rim Country Trail Fund and other partners. Angela "Angie" Abel (Tonto National Forest Recreation Manager) and other partners described volunteer trail work, grant applications and next steps to complete construction and signage.

Why it matters: The projects are intended to boost recreation, tourism and economic activity while providing expanded outdoor amenities for residents. Staff said trailhead construction readiness increases competitiveness for grants that favor shovel‑ready projects.