Rio Vista trails need your help.
We all know that the existing trail network in Rio Vista Natural Resource Park is inadequate to meet the needs of both the wild and the human components of the park community. Rogue (unauthorized) trails invade wildlife habitat and destroy native plants. Trails that were designated for use in the past have deteriorated. And which are the designated trails, anyway?
Through the Rio Vista Conservation Project and the park master plan, Friends of Rio Vista is working with Tucson Parks and Recreation and their contractors to bring the trail system up to date. We have some of the ecological data necessary for designing a network that protects the park’s plants and animals. We need more, though, and Friends of Rio Vista is working with partners to gather this information.
Right now, we need your help with identifying how Rio Vista’s human community experiences the park through its paths and trails.
As a first step, Friends of Rio Vista has made a preliminary list of stakeholder groups whose relationships to the trail network differ but overlap:
- Tucson Parks maintenance staff
- Birders
- Botanists
- Other practitioners of natural history
- Horseback riders
- Dog walkers
- People who walk for exercise or relaxation
- Trail users with mobility challenges
- Families who use the playground
- Small exercise classes
- Homeowners whose property borders the park
- Runners
- Cyclists
- Labyrinth visitors
- Visitors to the Compassion Garden (grief groups and individuals)
- Picnickers and parties
- Ball players
- Artists (including photographers)
- Raptor conservationists
- Practitioners of ecological restoration
- People organizing and attending special events
Overhauling the trail network may also discourage some of the current uses that are incompatible with Rio Vista’s dual purpose: to enhance the natural ecosystem and to strengthen visitors’ connection with nature. Friends of Rio Vista will be working with stakeholders to identify these incompatible uses through a threats analysis. Just a few examples:
- Camping
- Wood theft
- Unauthorized removal of living vegetation
- Large exercise classes with loud music
- Allowing dogs to roam off leash
Here’s where your knowledge comes into play:
- Who’s missing from the list of stakeholders?
- Do you use the trail system in another way?
- Have you observed other incompatible uses of trails?
Please e-mail us with your additions, and, if you would, tell us how frequently you visit the park (we know that many of you visit more often than once a week!): FriendsofRioVistaNRP@gmail.com.
Please include your first and last names in your message.
Your help is essential. Thank you so much, and we’ll be in touch as the revised trail network evolves.