The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors today approved extending the Maricopa Regional Trail System from Anthem to Cave Creek Regional Park and to Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area.
Specifically, approval by the Board today allows the County to purchase right-of-way for two trail segments, totaling 8 miles, from the Arizona State Trust Land Department.
The first four-mile segment will lead from the east end of Anthem to Cave Creek Regional Park and the next four-mile trail segment will lead from Cave Creek to Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area. The auction to purchase this right of way from the State of Arizona will take place in late October.
At the same auction, the County will purchase right-of-way usage for 2.1 acres to build a trailhead at 7th Street, which becomes New River, where Linda Lane crosses the road. Ultimately, there would be restrooms, horse watering troughs, parking and interpretive signage at the trailhead.
Supervisor Andy Kunasek, District 3, an avid outdoorsman and champion for the trail system, says, “This trail will make it possible for Anthem, New River and Desert Hills residents to hike all the way into two of our county’s finest parks. I’m proud of the commitment of this county and to Anthem developer Pulte for working together on this project”
Once the right of way for the trails is purchased from the Arizona State Land Department, the County will begin forging the trails in the first quarter of 2008 with completion of the two segments leading from Anthem to Cave Creek to Spur Cross anticipated in June of 2008.
The County is in its second year of fulfilling a ten year plan to build a regional trail system connecting all the County Parks throughout the Valley. Next year, the County also plans to connect Anthem with Lake Pleasant Regional Park.
Funds for the right of way purchases will come from money stipulated by Del Webb in the 2000 Anthem Development Master Plan. It has taken the County seven years to accrue $900,000 in stipulated payments and interest to purchase the rights-of-way necessary for the regional trail system.
For additional information on the Maricopa Regional Trail System, contact Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department at (602) 506-2930 or visit www.maricopa.gov/parks.