this is from a city press release, regarding the trails around Alma School and Dynamite road.
Scottsdale seeks input regarding trails in the Granite Mountain area
Scottsdale is applying for a land use permit that would put more than 10,000 acres of state trust land north of Dynamite Boulevard under city oversight. Scottsdale plans eventually to acquire the land as part of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and this move is intended to limit damage to the land while continuing to allow public access to some or all of the property.
Public comment is invited during a joint meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission and the McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission, which will take place at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 5, at the Granite Reef Senior Center, Room 1 (1700 N. Granite Reef Road; just north of McDowell Road).
The commissions will hear a staff report and discuss the types of uses that the city might restrict on the land, which surrounds the northern Scottsdale landmark of Granite Mountain.
Under a special land use permit from the State of Arizona, Scottsdale would take on a more specific set of responsibilities for operating and maintaining a trails system in the area, which might include additional restrictions on access to trails.
The State Land Department has allowed non-motorized uses, such as hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking and horse riding on the property with the proper permits. These uses would likely continue to be permitted in the Granite Mountain area.
Motorized recreational vehicles are not currently authorized in the area, and that restriction would continue under Scottsdale oversight. The State Land Department does allow off-road vehicle tours on designated trails with the appropriate permits, and the city is planning a transition period during which off-road tour providers could continue to operate.
Unless preserve rules change, however, off-road tours (like other off-highway vehicles) eventually would be prohibited in the area as Scottsdale purchases more land.
For more information about Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve visit www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve.
Scottsdale seeks input regarding trails in the Granite Mountain area
Scottsdale is applying for a land use permit that would put more than 10,000 acres of state trust land north of Dynamite Boulevard under city oversight. Scottsdale plans eventually to acquire the land as part of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and this move is intended to limit damage to the land while continuing to allow public access to some or all of the property.
Public comment is invited during a joint meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission and the McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission, which will take place at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 5, at the Granite Reef Senior Center, Room 1 (1700 N. Granite Reef Road; just north of McDowell Road).
The commissions will hear a staff report and discuss the types of uses that the city might restrict on the land, which surrounds the northern Scottsdale landmark of Granite Mountain.
Under a special land use permit from the State of Arizona, Scottsdale would take on a more specific set of responsibilities for operating and maintaining a trails system in the area, which might include additional restrictions on access to trails.
The State Land Department has allowed non-motorized uses, such as hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking and horse riding on the property with the proper permits. These uses would likely continue to be permitted in the Granite Mountain area.
Motorized recreational vehicles are not currently authorized in the area, and that restriction would continue under Scottsdale oversight. The State Land Department does allow off-road vehicle tours on designated trails with the appropriate permits, and the city is planning a transition period during which off-road tour providers could continue to operate.
Unless preserve rules change, however, off-road tours (like other off-highway vehicles) eventually would be prohibited in the area as Scottsdale purchases more land.
For more information about Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve visit www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve.