Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Introduction
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4

Purpose of the Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Related Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Planning Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Data Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1-1
1-1
1-1
1-2

Overview of Existing Conditions
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
2.10
2.11
2.12
2.13
2.14
2.15
2.16

The Park Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Park History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
The Park Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Physical Resources of the Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Biological (Vegetative) Resources of the Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Biological (Wildlife) Resources of the Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Cultural Resources within the Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Visual Resources of the Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Developed Public Use Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
The Park Trail System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Park Trailheads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Park Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Utility Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Leased Facilities within the Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Public Use of Tucson Mountain Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Park Administration and Staffing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15

Biological Resource Management
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5

Management Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Policies Related to Biological Resource Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Planned Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Framework for Biological Resource Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Funding and Staffing Needed for Biological Resource Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3-1
3-1
3-1
3-3
3-7

Cultural Resource Management
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4

Management Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Policies Related to Cultural Resource Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Planned Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Scope of Proposed Sample Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

4-1
4-1
4-1
4-2

Table of Contents - 1

Table of Contents
Visual Resource Management
5.1
5.2
5.3

Management Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Policies Related to Visual Resource Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Planned Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Physical Resource Management
6.1
6.2
6.3

Management Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Policies Related to Physical Resource Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Planned Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

Public Use Facilities
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.9
7.10
7.11
7.12
7.13

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Management Objective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Policies Related to Public Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Planned Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
New Visitor Contact Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
Gilbert Ray Campground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Juan Santa Cruz Picnic Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
Brown Mountain Picnic Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Ironwood Picnic Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9
Archery Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Rifle and Pistol Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-11
Gates Pass Overlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
G-3 Overlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13

Park Trail System
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
8.7

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Management Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Policies Related to Tucson Mountain Park Trails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Planned Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended Trailhead Improvements (Existing Trailheads) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
New Trailhead Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trail System Improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8-1
8-1
8-1
8-2
8-3
8-4
8-5

Park Roads
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Management Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Policies Related to Park Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Planned Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

9-1
9-1
9-1
9-2

Table of Contents - 2

Table of Contents
Park Infrastructure / Park Operations and Maintenance Facilities
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Management Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Policies Related to Park Infrastructure and Park Operations and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Planned Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10-1
10-1
10-1
10-2

Park Signs
11.1
11.2
11.3
11.4
11.5

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Management Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Policies Related to Park Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Planned Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Preliminary List of Required Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11-1
11-1
11-1
11-1
11-2

Leased Facilities
12.1
12.2
12.3
12.4

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Management Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Policies Related to Leased Facilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Planned Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12-1
12-1
12-1
12-2

Park Expansion
13.1
13.2
13.3
13.4

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Management Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Policies Related to Park Expansion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Planned Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13-1
13-1
13-1
13-1

Park Staffing and Administration
14.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
14.2 Park Staff Organization Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
14.3 Park Staff and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
Appendices

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

Table of Contents - 3

List of Figures
Executive Summary
Introduction
Overview of Existing Conditions
Figure 2-A: Location Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Figure 2-B: Vicinity Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Figure 2-C: Park Boundaries and Sub-Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Biological Resource Management
Cultural Resource Management
Visual Resource Management
Physical Resource Management
Public Use Facilities
Figure 7-A: Visitor Contact Station Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
Figure 7-B: New Campground Registration Building Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6
Figure 7-C: Public Use Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
Park Trail System
Figure 8-A:
Figure 8-B:
Figure 8-C:
Figure 8-D:
Figure 8-E:

Park Trail System - Area A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Park Trail System - Area B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Park Trail System - Area C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Park Trail System - Area D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Existing Unauthorized Trails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8-10
8-11
8-12
8-13
8-14

Park Roads
Figure 9-A: Proposed Cross-Section for Mountain Park and Preserve Roadways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Figure 9-B: Proposed Park Roadway Improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Park Infrastructure / Park Operations and Maintenance Facilities
Figure 10-A: Conceptual Site Plan - Park Operations and Maintenance Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Figure 10-B: Diagram of Proposed Operations and Maintenance Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Park Signs
Leased Facilities
Park Expansion
Figure 13-A: Park Expansion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-2
Park Staffing and Administration

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

List of Figures - 1

1. Introduction
1.0 Purpose of this
Document:

The purpose of this document is to present a plan that identifies management
objectives, that articulates policies, and that lists specific actions that will be
taken related to the management of Tucson Mountain Park.

1.1 Related
Documents:

This document was one of two that were prepared as part of the management plan
project. A “Background Report” was also prepared. The “Background Report,”
dated November 2007, provides a comprehensive summary of the existing
conditions, resources, and features of the Park. It includes information related to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

The history of the park
Conditions surrounding the park
The park’s physical resources
The park’s biological resources
The park’s cultural resources
The park’s visual resources
Developed public use facilities within the park
The park’s trail system
Leased facilities within the park
The existing park infrastructure
Current public use
Current park staffing

By reference, the “Background Report” is made an integral part of this
Management Plan. Copies of the “Background Report” are on file at the offices of
the Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, and Recreation Department. A digital
version of the “Background Report” is also available on the Pima County website.
(www.pima.gov/nrpr/places/tucs_mtpk/TMP_Mgmt_Plan_Bkgd_Rpt_Nov07.pdf).
1.2 The Planning
Process

This Management Plan was prepared with input from various stakeholders and
members of the public. Public input was solicited at a series of public open
houses. The first of these open houses was conducted on October 17, 2007. At
this event, participants were asked to provide input related to existing conditions
at Tucson Mountain Park and how they might be changed to enhance resource
conservation and public use. Written comments were received and evaluated.
The initial public open house was followed-up with an on-line survey. Survey
questions were designed to elicit comments related to the public’s perception of
facilities at the park, the condition of the park resources, and current public use of
the park. Though not a scientifically valid sample, respondents did provide useful
information related to these important issues.
A second public open house was conducted on February 28, 2008. At this
meeting key elements of the proposed Management Plan were presented. Written
comments were received and evaluated. This public input received is reflected in
this Management Plan.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

1-1

1. Introduction
Input was also solicited from other resource management agencies and Pima
County Departments. Two workshops were conducted, one on July 27, 2007,
and the other on February 21, 2008. Agencies represented at these workshops
included: the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service, the National Park Service (Saguaro National Park), the Bureau
of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Tohono O’Odham
Nation. Pima County Departments represented at these workshops included the
Department of Transportation, the Development Services Department, the
Office of Economic Development and Tourism, and the Sheriff’s Department.
1.3 Data Collection

A variety of techniques were utilized to collect data related to the park’s
resources and the public’s use of the park. These included:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Literature reviews
General field reconnaissance
Review of maps and files as provided by the Pima County Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) Department
Review of current leases and other agreements
Review of Tucson Mountain Park related information from the Pima
County Natural Resource, Parks, and Recreation Department files
Review of revenue data from park facilities that assess user fees
Personal communications with current and retired park staff
Vehicle counts on park roads at entrances to the park
Vehicle counts at the entrances to the developed trailheads
Observational surveys of users at trailheads and overlooks
Mapping of trails using global positioning system (GPS) equipment
Trail user counts using electronic counting equipment

The efforts of the many individuals, departments, and agencies that participated
in this process through the provision of valuable information is acknowledged.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

1-2

2. Overview of Existing Conditions
2.1 The Park Site:

Tucson Mountain Park is a 37 square mile natural resource park located in Pima
County, Arizona. The site encompasses much of the southern portion of the
Tucson Mountain range and portions of the alluvial area to the west. (See
Figures 2-A and 2-B).
There are several distinct areas that are collectively managed as Tucson
Mountain Park. These include:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Lands historically included in Tucson Mountain Park
The Central Arizona Project (CAP) Wildlife Mitigation Corridor
The Robles Pass Trails Park
The BLM Expansion Area

These sub-areas of the park are illustrated in Figure 2-C.

Figure 2-A: Location Map

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

2-1

TORTOLITA
MOUNTAIN
PARK

IRONWOOD FOREST
NATIONAL MONUMENT

TOWN OF
MARANA

FIGURE 2-B
VICINITY MAP

TOWN
OF
ORO
VALLEY

SANDARIO ROAD

I-1
0

TUCSON MOUNTAIN PARK

CATALINA
STATE
PARK
CORONADO
NATIONAL
FOREST

Tucson Mountain Park
Other County Parks and Preserves
Incorporated Cities and Towns
State Parks
Federal Parks
National Forest

SAGUARO
NATIONAL
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Tribal Lands
CITY OF
TUCSON

A

TUCSON
MOUNTAIN
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TOHONO O'ODHAM NATION
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SOUTHEAST
REGIONAL
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TOHONO O'ODHAM NATION

COLOSSAL CAVE
MOUNTAIN PARK
CIENEGA CREEK
NATURAL PRESERVE

TOWN OF
SAHUARITA

[

0

2

4

8 Miles

TUCSON MOUNTAIN PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN
Pima County Natural Resources. Parks, and Recreation Department

SANTA RITA
EXPERIMENTAL
RANGE

CORONADO
NATIONAL
FOREST

Prepared by McGann & Associates Landscape Architects and Planners
2-2

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TUCSON24MOUNTAIN
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SANDARIO ROAD

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Tucson Mountain Park Boundary
BLM Expansion Area

SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK
32

31

FIGURE 2-C
PARK BOUNDARIES
AND SUB-AREAS

33

34

35

36

31

32

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36 Wildlife Mitigation
C.A.P.
Corridor

32

SPEEDWAY BLVD.

Robles Pass Trails Park
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TUCSON

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TUCSON

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ROAD

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TUCSON MOUNTAIN PARK
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11
10
ARIZONA
PROJECT
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14
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TUCSON MOUNTAIN PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN
10
10
11
09
07 Parks, 08
Pima
County11Natural 12Resources.
and Recreation
Department
Prepared by McGann & Associates Landscape Architects and Planners

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2. Overview of Existing Conditions
2.2 Park History:

The park was established in 1929 when 29,988 acres of federal land in the
Tucson Mountains were withdrawn from mining and homesteading at the
request of U.S. Senator Carl Hayden. Pima County leased these lands in 1930
and 1931 at an annual rental rate of three cents ($0.03) per acre and established
Tucson Mountain Park. At the time, Tucson Mountain Park was the largest
county park in the nation.
In 1932, the Pima County Board of Supervisors appointed a five-member
commission to assist the Board with the administration of the park. These
individuals were T.D. Mallory of the Tucson Natural History Society, L.B. Hart
of the Tucson Protective Game Association, Stanley Kitt of the Tucson Chamber
of Commerce, Dr. E.P. Mathewson and C.B. Brown representing the public atlarge. Under the direction of the commission, the park was managed to conserve
the resources of the site and to provide opportunities for outdoor recreation in a
natural setting. Nearly 80 years later, the park continues to be operated for these
important public purposes.
During the 1930's and 1940's various projects were undertaken within the park
as part of program implemented by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the
Works Projects Administration (WPA), and the Emergency Conservation Work
Program (ECWP). These projects resulted in park buildings and other facilities,
some of which are still present within Tucson Mountain Park.
In 1937, a Master Plan was prepared for the park under the direction of the
National Park Service. This master plan called for the construction of several
picnic areas that would serve as destinations for day trips to the park. The
Master Plan also shows the Pima County Preventorium, a public health facility
for individuals who had been diagnosed with tuberculosis. This facility was
subsequently redeveloped and became the Gilbert Ray Campground that
continues to operate today.
In 1959, the United States Department of the Interior issued a Public Land
Order, that would have reversed the 1929 withdrawal and reopened 7,600 acres
of land within the Tucson Mountains to mining entry. This action was met with
intense local opposition spearheaded by the Pima County Board of Supervisors.
Their efforts resulted in a rescinding of the order and led to a series of
legislative proposals to address the long-term status of the park lands. These
proposal culminated in a November 15, 1961 proclamation by President John F.
Kennedy that transferred 15,360 acres of land to the National Park Service and
the establishment of the Tucson Mountain Unit of Saguaro National Park. The
remaining park lands were incrementally patented by Pima County under the
Recreation and Public Purposes Act to become the Tucson Mountain Park that
exists today.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

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2. Overview of Existing Conditions
2.3 The Park Setting:

Tucson Mountain Park is located within the rapidly growing Tucson
metropolitan area. When the park was established in 1929, the population of
Tucson was approximately 32,506 and the urbanized portion of the city covered
a few square miles east of the mountain range. Today, the population of the
metropolitan area has grown to over 1,000,000 people and urban development
extends around the mountain range.
In the 1970's, 80's and 90's, most of the growth was east of the Tucson Mountain
Range. It was characterized by medium to low-density residential development
in the Tucson Mountain foothills. It also included the Starr Pass Resort which
includes a hotel and golf course adjacent to the park.
Recent years have seen a significant amount of growth in areas southwest and
west of Tucson Mountain Park and this growth pattern is anticipated to continue
and will include residential, commercial and other land uses. The scope of this
anticipated growth resulted in Pima County initiating an area-wide planning
effort, the Southwest Infrastructure Plan. The goal of the plan is to outline a
strategy for the development of the infrastructure and public services needed to
support the anticipated growth.
Urban growth west and southwest of the park is significant in that it will impact
the visual resources and unique vistas that have become a distinguishing feature
of Tucson Mountain Park. It will also result in higher volumes of automobile
traffic on the park’s roads not generated by, or related to, facilities within the
Park.

2.4 Physical
Resources of the
Park:

Tucson Mountain Park encompasses much of the southern half of the Tucson
Mountain Range. The highest peak in the park is Golden Gate Peak, elevation
4,288 feet. The several other peaks that form the ridge line of that range, Tower
Peak, Bushmaster Peak, Bren Peak, and Cat Mountain are above, or near, the
4,000 ft. elevation. Collectively, these peaks and ridges create a dramatic and
colorful backdrop for the Tucson metropolitan area.
There are three distinct geological zones within the park; the steep mountain
peaks, the foothill areas, and the flat alluvial zones. The mountain peaks are
characterized by Rhyolite, an igneous, volcanic (extrusive) formation with
shallow soil cover. The foothills are characterized by Andesite, and other rock
formations with variable soil cover. The flatter areas in the western half of the
park are characterized by alluvial deposits of gravel, sand, silt, and clay.
Anklam - Pantano - Chimenea soils predominate in the mountainous and foothill
areas. These are shallow, well-drained soils. Pinaleno - Nickel - Palos Verdes
soils predominate in the flatter western portion of the site. These soil types are
well-drained and very deep alluvial soils.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

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2. Overview of Existing Conditions
There are a number of small caves within the park. Also present are numerous
small mine shafts and excavations.
As a mountain ridge, the Park drains both east to the Santa Cruz River and west
to the Brawley Wash / Black-Wash drainage system. Numerous washes
originate and flow out of the park. Because the washes are located near the
uppermost elevations of their watersheds, they are not major watercourses.
They are, however, important in that they create biological corridors that
connect the park with other natural resource and habitat areas.
2.5 Biological
(Vegetative)
Resources of the
Park:

Tucson Mountain Park contains a range of Sonoran Desert vegetative
communities. These vegetative communities shift in an elevational gradient
from creosote flats on the basin floor to bajadas with palo verde and saguaro
cacti to ridges with other vegetative associations.
As classified in the “Biotic Communities of the Southwestern United States and
Northwestern Mexico,” (Brown, 1994) the following vegetative communities
are present within Tucson Mountain Park.
Arizona Upland - Palo Verde Mixed Cacti Community:
This vegetative community is the most prevalent in the park, encompassing
approximately 90% of the park area. Predominant overstory species include
foothills palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla), blue palo verde (Parkinsonia
floridum), ironwood (Olneya tesota), ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens), and
saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea). Understory species include triangle-leaf bursage
(Ambrosia deltoidea), brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), and jojoba (Simmondsia
chinensis).
Mixed Scrub Parkinsonia microphylla - Olneya tesota Mixed Scrub
Association:
This community occurs within the palo verde - mixed cacti matrix and consists
of stands of ironwood (Olneya tesota). Ironwood stands are identified as a
“special element” in the Pima County Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan.
Lower Colorado River Series - Creosote - Bursage Community:
This community occurs in the lowest elevation, westernmost portions of the
park. Predominant species are creosote (Larrea tridentata) and triangle-leaf
bursage (Ambrosia deltoidea).
Semidesert Grassland Community:
Small patches of this community occur in the upper elevations of the park.
Characteristic species include Arizona cottontop (Digitaria californica), Green
sprangletop (Leptochloa dubia), Plains lovegrass (Eragrostis intermidia), and
gramma grasses (Bouteloua spp.).

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2. Overview of Existing Conditions
Sonoran Riparian Scrubland (Prosopis velutina mixed scrub series) Community:
This community occurs along canyon bottoms and washes creating relatively
dense, lush vegetation. Overstory species include velvet mesquite (Prosopis
velutina), and blue palo verde (Parkinsonia floridum). Understory species
include wolfberry (Lycium spp.), desert hackberry (Celtis pallida), white-thorn
acacia (Acacia constricta), and catclaw acacia (Acacia greggii).
Sacaton Scrub Series (Sporobolis wrightii Association) Community:
This plant community occurs in a very limited area of the park along the San
Juan Wash. Representative species include Sacaton (Sporobolis wrightii), seep
willow (Baccharis salicifolia), graythorn (Ziziphus obtusifolia), white-thorn
acacia (Acacia constricta), and catclaw acacia (Acacia greggii).
Simmodsia chinensis - Mixed Scrub Association:
This community occurs in small patches on isolated north and east facing slopes
in middle portions of the range. Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) is the
predominant species in this community.
Two Pima County Priority Vulnerable Species are known to occur, or may
occur, within Tucson Mountain Park. The Tumamoc globeberry (Tumamoca
macdougalii) is known to be present within the park. The Pima pineapple cactus
(Coryphantha scherri var. robustispina) has not been observed, but could
potentially exist within the creosote flats in the southwestern portion of the site.
Over 100 invasive, non-native plant species have been observed within Tucson
Mountain Park. These include species such as fountain grass (Pennisetum
setaceum) introduced to the area for use in constructed landscapes. Also present
are introduced range species such as buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare).
Buffelgrass is a fire-prone grass introduced from the African savannah that
grows in dense stands and crowds out native plants. It can provide the fuel
needed for frequent and destructive fires.
2.6 Biological
(Wildlife)
Resources of the
Park:

Tucson Mountain Park supports a wide range of wildlife including large
mammals, small mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. It would be possible
for a visitor to the park to observe in the course of a single day large mammals
(deer, coyote, javelina), small mammals (pack rats, mice, and bats), birds
(hawks, owls, and songbirds), and reptiles (desert tortoise, Gila monsters, and
rattlesnakes).
The presence of the Tucson Mountain Unit of Saguaro National Park adjacent to
the site results in a 64 square mile area that can support diverse populations of
various wildlife species. At the same time, urban growth in areas surrounding
the park is effectively creating an island with restricted connections to other
natural resource parks and preserves. The maintenance of viable linkages
between the park and other preserved natural resource areas will be important to
the long term success of certain wildlife populations currently present within the
Park.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

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2. Overview of Existing Conditions
Several Pima County Priority Vulnerable Species are known to occur or may
occur within Tucson Mountain Park. Bird species that may be present include
the rufous-winged sparrow (Aimophilia carpalis), the western burrowing owl
(Athene cunicularia hypugaea), Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsonii), the cactus
ferruginous pygmy owl (Glaucdium brasilianum cactorum). Abert’s towhee
(Pipilo aberti), and Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii).
A priority vulnerable reptile species that is known to occur within the park is the
Sonoran desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). Mammal species from this list
that are know to occur or that potentially occur within Tucson Mountain Park
include the Mexican long-tongued bat (Choeronycteris mexicana), the pale
Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii pallescens), the lesser
long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris curasoae yerbabuenae), the California leaf-nosed
bat (Macrotus californicus), Merriam’s mouse (Peromyscus merriami), and the
Arizona shrew (Sorex arizonae).
Tucson Mountain Park is also an important element of Pima County’s Sonoran
Desert Conservation Plan (SDCP). The plan identifies the park as a multipleuse area within the County’s Conservation Land System (CLS). Linkages
between the park and other natural resource parks and preserves have been
identified as important wildlife corridors.
2.7 Cultural
Resources within
the Park:

Tucson Mountain Park is located on the western side of the Santa Cruz River.
Native populations have lived in the area for thousands of years and utilized the
resources of the Tucson Mountains. Rock art sites, artifact scatters, quarries,
and rock features (piles, circles, and linear features) are evidence of this
prehistoric use.
Also present within Tucson Mountain Park are historic features that were
constructed more recently. These include various structures, homesteads,
ranches, ranch related features, mines, roads, Civilian Conservation Corps
(CCC) sites, and Works Progress Administration (WPA) sites.
A total of 48 prehistoric and historic cultural resource sites have been recorded
within Tucson Mountain Park. The full extent of the Park’s prehistoric and
historic features, however, is not known because only 25% of the land area
within the current boundary of the park has been surveyed. Additionally, the
quality of some of the early surveys is unknown, and the results of these early
surveys have not been checked to confirm the status of the cultural resources.

2.8 Visual Resources
of the Park:

The Sonoran Desert is a unique and particularly beautiful environment. It is
characterized by dramatic landforms, unusual plants, and visual elements that
are found in no other location on earth. It’s iconic images, in many ways, define
Tucson, Pima County and much of southern Arizona. Tucson Mountain Park is
a repository of these unique features and iconic images. Collectively, they make
the park a popular destination for visitors from the community, from across the
United States, and from countries around the globe.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

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2. Overview of Existing Conditions
Some of the features that contribute to the visual quality of Tucson Mountain
Park are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Landforms (mountain peaks, ridges, cliffs, and outcrops)
Plant communities (saguaro forests, ironwood forests, riparian woodlands)
Specimen plants (saguaro, ocotillo, and prickly-pear)
Spaces of various scales (broad valleys, narrow canyons, winding arroyos)
Atmospheric / light conditions (summer monsoon season sunsets)
Rural / natural character (narrow roads, vegetation to the edge of pavement)
Limited development (very few, low profile buildings)
Facilities constructed with natural materials (stone walls, stone buildings)

All of these features contribute to the visual quality of Tucson Mountain Park.
An additional feature of Tucson Mountain Park’s visual resources is its visual
prominence. The peaks and upper elevations of the park are visible from
throughout the Tucson basin. More than 1,000,000 area residents can
potentially view portions of Tucson Mountain Park each day as they travel to
and from various destinations within the metropolitan area.
While the park is generally undeveloped, there are a few existing features within
and adjacent to the site that diminish the visual quality of Tucson Mountain
Park. These include developed in-holdings, overhead utility lines, foothill
residential developments, and communication towers. Some of these conditions
can be eliminated over time, while others will likely continue for the foreseeable
future.
Of greater concern is the scope of urban development surrounding the park,
particularly to the west and southwest. Urban development is becoming a much
more prominent feature of the landscape as viewed from the Gates Pass
Overlook and other upper elevation sites within the park. Observing the
region’s spectacular sunsets from the Gates Pass Overlook has long been a
popular activity. It is estimated that more than 200,000 people visit the overlook
each year. Until recently, the view from the vantage point west of the overlook
was of largely undisturbed natural desert. More and more the view is of
residential subdivisions and rural homesteads.
2.9 Developed Public
Use Facilities:

There are developed sites within the park that offer opportunities for public
recreation. (See Figure 7-D). An overview of the scope and conditions of these
public use facilities is as follows:
Gilbert Ray Campground:
The campground includes 130 RV spaces each with a 30 amp electrical hook-up,
three tent spaces, three educational ramadas, picnic ramadas, centrally located
rest room buildings, a dump station, and a registration building. The campground provides a unique opportunity for camping in a Sonoran Desert setting.

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2. Overview of Existing Conditions
The electrical distribution system is in fair condition but the 30 amp services at
the RV sites need to be upgraded to the current industry standard of 50 amp.
Improvements to the water distribution system and sanitary sewage system are
also required. The campground registration building is in poor condition and in
need of replacement.
Juan Santa Cruz Picnic Area:
The Juan Santa Cruz picnic area consists of a paved drive with pull-outs, picnic
tables, three ramadas, and a restroom building. The ramadas are constructed of
native stone and are of a style that is similar to many of the original CCC
buildings constructed within the park. They are, however, in poor condition and
in need of major renovation. The restroom building is only a few years old and
is in good condition. The Juan Santa Cruz picnic area is adjacent to the
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. There have been preliminary discussions
between the Museum and Pima County related to the possible expansion of the
museum into the area currently occupied by Juan Santa Cruz picnic area.
Detailed plans for the possible expansion of the museum have not been
finalized.
Brown Mountain Picnic Area:
The Brown Mountain Picnic Area consists of a paved drive with pull-outs, two
ramadas, and picnic tables. There are no restrooms at this site. The existing
ramadas are in fair condition but in need of some renovation.
Ironwood Picnic Area:
The Picnic Area consists of a paved drive with pull-outs, four ramadas, picnic
tables and two restroom buildings. The existing ramadas are in fair condition
but need some renovation. The restroom buildings have vault toilets without
water service and are in generally good condition.
Archery Range:
The Archery Range consists of a practice range with targets at distances of 20 to
70 yards. There are also three roving target or trail courses. Other
improvements at the site include an unpaved access road, and unpaved parking
lot, a large ramada, and a restroom building with potable water service. The
ramada structure and the restroom building are in need of renovation.
Rifle and Pistol Range:
The range is a bermed facility with shooting distances between 5 and 100 yards.
A safety fan, 300 yards beyond the containment berm has been established,
fenced, and signed in accordance with applicable standards. The noise levels
emanating from the facility are monitored and are below the threshold decibel
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2. Overview of Existing Conditions
level for facilities of this type as established by Arizona state statutes.
Other improvements at the rifle and pistol range include an unpaved entry drive,
an unpaved parking lot, a large ramada, a small office building, and a vault toilet
without water.
Gates Pass Overlook:
The Gates Pass Overlook is a very popular park facility and is considered a
premier vantage point for viewing spectacular desert sunsets. Improvements at
the site include a paved entry drive, paved parking lots, accessible walkways,
viewing areas, a restored look-out building, and a restroom with vault toilets and
no water, and interpretive displays.
G-3 Overlook:
The G-3 Overlook consists of a small, paved parking lot, a viewing area, and a
few benches. The facility is sometimes used as an alternative overlook when the
Gates Pass facility is full. The G-3 Overlook also serves as a trail access point.
2.10 The Park Trail
System:

In addition to developed sites, Tucson Mountain Park contains an extensive,
multiple-use, non-motorized trail system. (See Figure 8-A). The park’s trail
system is used by an estimated 150,000 visitors per year.
The popularity of the trail system has not been without consequence. Users of
the trail system have not only used the trails developed by the Pima County
Natural Resources, Parks, and Recreation Department, they have developed new
trails without authorization. Of the 100 miles of trails present within the park,
only 62 miles have been evaluated by the Department and made a part of the
park’s official trail system. The remaining 38 miles of trail are wildcat trails.
Many of these wildcat trails are of poor quality, some extend into sensitive
resource areas, and others are unnecessary duplications of parallel trails. The
Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, and Recreation Department has begun
the process of reviewing these wildcat trails with the intent of closing and
revegetating those trails that are of poor quality or that are found to be
detrimental to the park’s natural and cultural resources.

2.11 Park Trailheads:

As an adjunct to this trail system, there are several developed trailheads that
provide for safe and legal public access to the park site. These trailheads are as
follows:
Starr Pass Trailhead:
The Starr Pass Trailhead consists of a paved parking lot with 45 spaces and an
area large enough to maneuver and park a truck with an equestrian trailer. The
paving of the access road and various other improvements are needed.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

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2. Overview of Existing Conditions
36th Street Trailhead:
The 36th Street Trailhead consists of a paved parking lot with approximately 20
parking spaces. The entry drive is equipped with a gate that can be closed to
prevent vehicular access at night.
Camino de Oeste Trailhead:
This recently renovated trailhead consists of an unpaved entry drive and a small
unpaved parking lot. Expansion of the lot is not planned due to the constraints
of land ownership and topography.
King Canyon Trailhead:
The King Canyon Trailhead consists of an unpaved trailhead that is internal to
Tucson Mountain Park. It provides access to certain trails, most of which are
located within Saguaro National Park. It is proposed that this trailhead be
closed and that a replacement trailhead be constructed in the vicinity of the
existing site. The proposed relocation will enhance traffic safety at the point of
entry from Kinney Road.
Mile Wide Trailhead:
The Mile Wide Trailhead was constructed to serve the CAP Trail, but it
proximity to Tucson Mountain Park allows for its occasional use by park
visitors. It consists of a paved parking lot with adequate space for the parking of
a truck with equestrian trailer.
J.W. Marriott Resort Hotel Walk-In Entry:
Located near the hotel, this walk-in entry allows hotels guests and others to
enter the park on-foot.
Tucson Estates Walk-In Entry:
This walk-in entry is located north of the Tucson Estates subdivision. It
provides for pedestrian and bicycle access to the park’s trail system but does not
include any motor vehicle parking spaces.
Sarasota Trailhead (Planned):
The planned Sarasota Trailhead is located near the Tucson Estates subdivision
and consists of two separate sites. The Sarasota (North) Trailhead will include
parking spaces for standard automobiles. The Sarasota (South) Trailhead will
include access drives and parking spaces for truck / equestrian trailer rigs.
Explorer Trailhead (Planned):
The proposed Explorer Trailhead is located near Kennedy Park, a City of
Tucson active recreation park. When developed, this trailhead will include a
parking lot for both automobiles and trucks with equestrian trailers.
2.12 Park Roads:

Two principal public roads are present within Tucson Mountain Park. Gates
Pass Road provides public access from the City of Tucson and other

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2. Overview of Existing Conditions
communities to the east. Kinney Road bisects the park and provides a northsouth route through the park. These park roads are maintained by the Pima
County Department of Transportation.
The volume of traffic on Gates Pass Road and Kinney Road has increased
significantly during the past decade. Current traffic volumes, and traffic
volumes recorded ten years ago at the same location are as follows.
Gates Pass Road at East Entry to Park:
•
2007 ADT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,400 Vehicles
•
1997 ADT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,400 Vehicles
•
Percent Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . + 75%
Kinney Road at South Entry to Park:
•
2007 ADT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,800 Vehicles
•
1997 ADT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,400 Vehicles
•
Percent Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . + 171%
Kinney Road at North Entry to Park:
•
2007 ADT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,900 Vehicles
•
1997 ADT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,200 Vehicles
•
Percent Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . + 32%
Some of this traffic is being generated by visitors to the park but an estimated
45% of the overall traffic volume is not park related. In-park traffic that is not
generated by facilities within Tucson Mountain Park consists of trips that use
the park roads to get to and from destinations that are outside the park.
2.13 Utility Systems:

Utility systems have been constructed to serve the developments within the park.
The Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, and Recreation Department
(PCNRPR) operates a water system consisting of a well, water storage
reservoirs, pump stations, and pipelines. This system provides water to the
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Old Tucson, the Gilbert Ray Campground, the
Archery Range, and the Juan Santa Cruz Picnic Area.
There is no sanitary sewage collection system within the park. Sewage disposal
at the various facilities within Tucson Mountain Park is addressed with on-site
collection, treatment, and disposal facilities.
Commercial electric power is provided to the site by the Trico Electric
Cooperative. Overhead power lines extend power to the ASDM, Old Tucson,
the Gilbert Ray Campground, and a few other park facilities. Overhead power
lines also extend through the park to the communication towers on Tower Peak.
Qwest provides telephone service to the park with an underground system that
follows the Kinney Road corridor.

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2. Overview of Existing Conditions
2.14 Leased Facilities
within the Park:

There are three leased facilities within the park, the Arizona-Sonora Desert
Museum, Old Tucson Studios, and Sonoran Arthropods Studies Inc.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum:
Established in 1952, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (ASDM) is a world
renown facility with exhibits and programs that present and interpret the natural
and cultural resources of the Sonoran Desert. It is located on 95 acres of land
near the northern boundary of Tucson Mountain Park. The Museum’s
collections include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

106 mammals of 31 taxa
241 birds of 72 taxa
361 reptiles of 86 taxa
122 amphibians of 234 taxa
840 arthropods of 78 taxa
40,000 plant specimens representing 1,300 species
14,095 gem, mineral, and fossil specimens

The Museum attracts approximately 445,000 visitors each year. It’s mission to
preserve, protect, and interpret the unique resources of the Sonoran Desert
makes it a compatible use within Tucson Mountain Park.
The current lease agreement between Pima County and the Arizona-Sonora
Desert Museum extends through 2028. A key provision of these lease requires
Pima County to supply a specified volume of water to the site each year.
Old Tucson Studios:
Old Tucson Studios was established in 1939 and used for several decades as a
movie production facility that took advantage of the park’s spectacular natural
setting. The facility occupies a 180 acre site near the intersection of Gates Pass
Road and Kinney Road. Much of the original facility was destroyed in a fire in
1995. The facilities were rebuilt shortly thereafter, but as an old western town
theme park.
Old Tucson sponsors several events each year and attracts approximately
230,000 visitors annually. The current lease between Pima County and Old
Tucson extends through 2023. Pima County is required by the lease agreement
to provide a specified volume of potable water to the Old Tucson Studio site.
Sonoran Arthropods Studies Inc. (SASI):
The Sonoran Arthropods Studies Inc. (SASI) occupies a group of small
buildings near the center of the park. The organization conducts research related
to Sonoran Desert arthropods and sponsors a limited number of public outreach

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

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2. Overview of Existing Conditions
programs. The number of participants in these programs is limited to a few
hundred per year. The current lease between Pima County and SASI extends
through 2009.
2.15 Public Use of
Tucson
Mountain Park:

It is estimated that 2,500,000 people visit or drive through Tucson Mountain
Park annually. Of this total, approximately 1,400,000 enter the park to visit or
use park facilities. The balance use the park’s road system to travel from offsite points of origin to off-site destinations.
The approximate number of visitors traveling to various park destinations is as
follows:
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 445,000 per year
Old Tucson Studios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230,000 per year
Other Pima County operated Facilities and Trails . . . . . . . . . . . 725,000 per year
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,400,000 per year
An approximate breakdown of the 725,000 individuals who visit Pima Countyoperated park facilities or who travel to the park to work or volunteer at the
leased facilities is as follows:
Overlooks and Pull-Out Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415,000 per year
Hikers and Trail Runners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105,000 per year
Mountain Bicyclists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50,000 per year
Overnight Campers (Gilbert Ray Campground) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34,000 per year
Road Bicyclists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,000 per year
Picnickers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,000 per year
Rifle / Pistol Range Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,000 per year
Equestrians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,900 per year
Archery Range Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,900 per year
Hunters (Archery only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,200 per year
S.A.S.I. Program Participants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 per year
Leased Facility Employees and Volunteers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,000 per year
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 725,000 per year

2.16 Park
Administration
and Staffing:

Park operations and management are currently coordinated by the PCNRPR
Department’s Natural Resource Park Superintendent. He is supported by a Park
Manager.
On-site staff consists of five full-time employees and seasonal employees that
are the equivalent of one full-time employee. These employees are responsible
for operating and maintaining the facilities and infrastructure associated with the
park’s developed sites. Volunteers also make up part of the workforce.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

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2. Overview of Existing Conditions
The Department’s off-site shops and trades support staff are resources that are
used from time to time to operate and maintain Tucson Mountain Park. A unit
of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department provides law enforcement within the
park.
At the present time, there are no park staff members specifically assigned to
resource management / monitoring or back-country patrol.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

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3. Biological Resource Management
3.1 Management
Objectives:

Tucson Mountain Park will be managed with the objective of preserving and
enhancing the biological resources of the park as a healthy, discrete Sonoran
Desert ecosystem and as part of Pima County’s overall conservation land system.

3.2 Policies Related to
Biological
Resource
Management:

It shall be the policy of the Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, and
Recreation Department to:

3.3 Planned Actions:

•

Support actions by Pima County, other jurisdictions, and resource
management agencies that maintain, enhance, and expand biological
connections between Tucson Mountain Park and other natural resource
areas, parks, and preserves.

•

Accommodate a wide range of public uses within Tucson Mountain Park
while concurrently restricting activities, participation levels, and use areas
so as to prevent the long-term degradation of the park’s biological resources.

•

Utilize sites at or near the perimeter of the park for moderate and high
intensity recreational activities and to use these perimeter sites to buffer the
park’s core area from adjacent urban development.

•

Operate and manage the park as required to comply with federal, state, and
local mandates related to the protection of special status plant and animal
species.

•

Conduct park-specific biological resource monitoring as outlined herein and
as recommended by broader Pima County Ecological Monitoring Program
(EMP).

•

Support the development and implementation of programs and projects
intended to eliminate invasive, non-native, noxious species from the park
and to revegetate and restore previously disturbed park areas to a natural
condition.

•

Support programs and projects that will reduce or mitigate the negative
impacts of urban development surrounding Tucson Mountain Park on the
park’s biological resources.

The following actions related to the management of Tucson Mountain Park’s
biological resources are planned.
•

Implement the site / species specific biological resource monitoring program
as outlined herein.

•

Participate in the implementation of those elements of the overall Pima
County Ecological Monitoring Program (EPM) that relate to Tucson
Mountain Park.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

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3. Biological Resource Management
•

Conduct an annual resource management workshop with representatives of
the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Saguaro National Park, the Bureau
of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, and other resource
management agencies to coordinate resource conservation and management
activities.

•

Conduct field assessments of all unauthorized trails within the park and
make a determination as to which of these trails will be retained and which
of the trails will be eliminated from the park’s trail system.

•

Conduct an on-going program to close and revegetate social / wildcat trails
that are to be eliminated from the park’s trail system.

•

Construct the new trails proposed for the Robles Pass Trails Park and other
perimeter areas to reduce demand for trails within the park’s core area.

•

Conduct periodic reconnaissance surveys and prepare maps that identify the
presence, scope, and location of non-native and invasive species
populations.

•

Continue to support the Sonoran Desert Weed Wackers and other volunteer
organizations with training, equipment, and logistical support as needed to
conduct invasive species removal programs within Tucson Mountain Park.

•

Repair existing fences and install new fences as required to minimize
trespass and illegal off-highway vehicle (OHV) operation within the park.

•

Work with the Pima County Department of Transportation to develop and
implement strategies for mitigating the impacts of motor vehicle traffic
within the park that is not related to park visitation.

•

Construct the traffic calming, traffic safety improvements along Kinney
Road and Gates Pass Road as recommended by this Management Plan.

•

Work with the Pima County Development Services Department to review
development proposals associated with lands adjacent to or near the park to
evaluate their compatibility with, or impacts on, the park’s biological resources.

•

Work with the Pima County Development Services Department to review
development proposals within Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan (SDCP)
designated corridors that connect Tucson Mountain Park with other natural
areas and evaluate the need for dedicated natural open-space corridors
within the proposed developments.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

3-2

3. Biological Resource Management
•

Install gates on the entries to caves and mine shafts as needed to protect bat
roosts and to eliminate potential hazards to the safety of wildlife and park
users.

•

Fill-in or modify mine shafts that do not have habitat value and that create a
potential hazard to wildlife and park users.

•

Maintain the wildlife watering guzzlers and minimize the public’s use of
park areas that are in the vicinity of these features.

•

Continue to work with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department to enforce
State Statutes, Pima County Ordinances, and Pima County park rules related
to:
•
•
•
•

•

3.4 Framework for
Biological
Resource
Monitoring:

The collection and release of plants and animals within the park
The protection of Tucson Mountain Park’s natural resources
The prohibition related to domestic animals / pets within the park
Archery hunting and the use of firearms within the park

Amend the existing Pima County park rules to require that trail users remain
on designated trails or obtain a permit for off-trail activities.

It is recommended that a biological resource monitoring program be
implemented at Tucson Mountain Park to assist in the on-going management of
park resources and to contribute to the overall Pima County Ecological
Monitoring Program (EPM). It is recommended that the Tucson Mountain Park
monitoring program include the following elements.
•
•
•
•

Site Specific Monitoring
Species Specific Monitoring
Landscape Level Monitoring
Collaborative Monitoring Efforts

The activities associated with each of these elements are described below.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

3-3

3. Biological Resource Management

SITE SPECIFIC MONITORING:
Activity:

Repeat Photography

Frequency:

Annual

Description:

Activity involves photographing specific sites within the park
to document changes over time. Site should include high
activity zones near public use areas, restored / revegetated
areas, invasive species eradication sites, and similar areas.
UTM coordinates for photo sites should be recorded and used
for repeat photography. File to be established at NRP&R
Department to allow for periodic review / comparison of
photos taken from the same location.

Adaptive
Response:

Sites where the degradation of resources is observed to be
added to priority list for restoration. If appropriate, public use
restrictions or the closure of the subject area may be
implemented.

Activity:

Inspection of Special Habitat Features

Frequency:

Annual

Description:

Activity involves field reconnaissance to check the condition
of special habitat features such as wildlife guzzlers and bat
caves. Human disturbance and/or other modifications to these
sites to be recorded.

Adaptive
Response:

Sites where the degradation of resources is observed to be
added to a priority list for restoration and/or other remedial
work. If appropriate, public use restrictions or the closures of
the subject area may be implemented.

Activity:

Inspection of Invasive Species Eradication Sites

Frequency:

Annual

Description:

Activity involves field reconnaissance and the inspection of a
sample set of sites where invasive species have been removed
from the site to determine if additional eradication work is
needed.

Adaptive
Response:

Areas where stands of invasive species have reestablished
shall be added to list of priority sites for on-going eradication
work.

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3. Biological Resource Management

SPECIES SPECIFIC MONITORING
Activity:

Monitoring of Indicator Plant and Wildlife Species

Frequency:

Periodic (at 1 to 10 year intervals, as appropriate)

Description:

Activity involves periodic studies to document changes in the
population and/or health of plant and wildlife species in the
park. Species recommended for monitoring are the saguaro
cactus and the desert tortoise. Monitoring of saguaro to
follow protocols established for on-going saguaro monitoring
program at Saguaro National Park (Turner and Funicelli
2000). Protocols for monitoring of desert tortoise to be
established by the Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, and
Recreation Department in conjunction with the Arizona Game
and Fish Department (AGFD) and/or others.

Adaptive
Response:

If significant changes in population are observed, initial
response shall be an attempt to isolate and identify cause (or
causes) of change. If human caused, appropriate changes in
public use rules and regulations will be identified and
implemented.

Activity:

Monitoring of Pima County Priority Vulnerable Species

Frequency:

As identified by Pima County Ecological Monitoring Program
(EPM)

Description:

Activity involves the on-going monitoring and/or
implementation of special studies related to Pima County
Priority Vulnerable Species and/or other special status species
as may be identified by the Pima County Ecological
Monitoring Program.

Adaptive
Response:

Response to findings to be as identified by the Pima County
Ecological Monitoring Program and as coordinated with, and
approved by, the Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, and
Recreation Department.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

3-5

3. Biological Resource Management

LANDSCAPE LEVEL MONITORING
Activity:

Invasive Species Mapping

Frequency:

Annual Updates

Description:

Activity involves field reconnaissance and the mapping of
park areas that have become infested with buffelgrass. Maps
to be created in digital format for incorporation into the Pima
County GIS database. The mapping of other invasive species
should also be conducted, as appropriate.

Adaptive
Response:

Maps to be used to establish priorities for eradication work
and to document changes in the range of invasive species over
time. Maps also to be used in conjunction with on-going field
work related to the eradication effort.

Activity:

Establishment / Survey of Vegetative Conditions Within
Designated Plots and/or Transects

Frequency:

Periodic (at 1 to 10 year intervals, as appropriate)

Description:

Representative plots and/or transects to be identified and
marked (with permanent field markings and the recording of
the coordinates associated plot / transect limits). Once
established, the monitoring of annual and perennial plants to
be conducted at appropriate intervals. The use of protocols
currently being used at Saguaro National Park is
recommended.

Adaptive
Response:

To be identified as changes and trends are observed over time.

Activity:

Comprehensive Flora and Vertebrate Fauna Inventory

Frequency:

To be developed over a period of several years

Description:

Activity involves the compilation of a comprehensive
inventory of flora and vertebrate fauna in park as baseline
data. Work should be modeled on the repeatable study
designs and standardized field methods utilized by the Plant
and Vertebrate Inventory of Saguaro National Park, Tucson
Mountain District (Powell et. al. 1996). Floral inventory
work should specifically target areas within the park that were
not well documented in the Annotated Flora and Vegetation
of the Tucson Mountains (Rondeau et. al. 1996)

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

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3. Biological Resource Management

COLLABORATIVE MONITORING EFFORTS
Activity:

Inter-Agency Monitoring Workshop

Frequency:

Annual

Description:

Activity involves an annual workshop to review new
monitoring activities, on-going efforts, and specific project
results related to the biological resources of the park, the
Tucson Mountains, and adjacent areas. Potential participants
include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park
Service, Bureau of Land Management, Arizona Game and
Fish Department, the Desert Laboratory at Tumamoc Hill, the
University of Arizona, and Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

OTHER MONITORING RELATED ACTIVITIES

3.5 Funding and
Staffing Needed
for Biological
Resource
Monitoring:

Activity:

Establishment and Operation of Weather Station

Frequency:

Operation of weather station to be on-going

Description:

It is recommended that a weather station be constructed and
maintained at the proposed new Visitor Contact Station. The
data collected at this station to be used in conjunction with the
results from other monitoring activities to identify potential
relationships between weather conditions (drought,
temperature extremes, etc.) and the observed condition of the
park’s biological resources.

The assignment of new staff to Tucson Mountain Park, as recommended herein,
and the appropriation of needed funds will be essential to the implementation of
the monitoring program outlined above. The Pima County Natural Resources,
Parks, and Recreation Department will engage in monitoring activities at
intervals and frequencies that can be supported by available staff and project /
program funding.
References Cited:
Powell, B., W. Halvorson, C. Schmidt. 2006. Plant and vertebrate inventory of Saguaro National
Park, Tucson Mountain District Final Report. Sonoran Desert Research Station and School of
Natural Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona. 108 pp.
Rondeau, R., T. R. Van Devender, C. D. Bertelsen, P. Jenkins, R. K. Wilson, and M. A. Dimmit.
1996. Annotated Flora and Vegetation of the Tucson Mountains, Pima County, Arizona. Desert
Plants 12 (2). 47 pp.
Turner, D.S., and C.S. Funicelli. 2000. Ten-year resurvey of epidermal browning and population
structure of saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) in Saguaro National Park, Arizona. Technical
Report No. 69, U.S. Geological Survey, Sonoran Desert Field Station, Tucson, AZ. 29 pp.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

3-7

4. Cultural Resource Management
4.1 Management
Objectives:

Tucson Mountain Park will be managed with the objective of preserving,
protecting, and where appropriate interpreting the cultural resources present
within Tucson Mountain Park.

4.2 Policies Related to
Cultural Resource
Management:

It shall be the policy of the Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, and
Recreation Department to:

4.3 Planned Actions:

•

Operate and manage the park as required to comply with all federal, state,
and local mandates related to the protection of cultural resources.

•

Encourage and support on-going research by qualified professionals related
to archaeological sites and historic properties within Tucson Mountain Park.

•

Conduct cultural resource surveys in conjunction with future park
development and improvement projects.

•

Support the development and implementation of educational and
interpretive programs related to the park’s cultural, biological and physical
resources.

•

Periodically monitor known cultural resource sites to determine their
condition.

The following actions related to the management of Tucson Mountain Park’s
cultural resources are planned.
•

Conduct a park-wide cultural resource sample survey to establish priorities
for subsequent, more detailed surveys.

•

Conduct cultural resource surveys along the park’s authorized trail corridors
and make adjustments to the trail system when conflicts with cultural
resources are identified.

•

Conduct cultural resource surveys in conjunction with all new park
development projects and design these projects in a manner that protects the
subject resources.

•

Collaborate with the Pima County Cultural Resources Office and others as
required to establish and implement a monitoring program utilizing trained
volunteers from the Arizona Site Steward Program.

•

Assist the Pima County Cultural Resources Office with an evaluation of the
CCC and WPA era structures within the park (and within the Tucson
Mountain Unit of Saguaro National Park) to determine if these resources are
eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places as a
Historic Landscape.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

4-1

4. Cultural Resource Management
4.4 Scope of Proposed
Sample Survey

It is recommended that the scope of the cultural resources sample survey include
the following.
•

Examination of previously recorded sites to determine and document their
current condition.

•

Re-recording of known sites (where appropriate) to update the site
descriptions based on observed field conditions and contemporary standards
for documenting the subject resource.

•

A general examination of areas proposed for new development, such as the
proposed Visitor Contact Station site.

•

Examination of trail segments within and near known sites to evaluate the
potential impact of trail use on the subject cultural resources.

•

Identification of park areas not previously surveyed with physical features
and conditions likely to support cultural resource sites, and an examination
of some of these areas.

•

Recommendations for follow-up, phased, targeted cultural resource survey
work, as appropriate.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

4-2

5. Visual Resource Management
5.1 Management
Objectives:

Tucson Mountain Park will be managed with the objective of protecting and
enhancing the visual resources associated with Tucson Mountain Park including
views internal to the park, off-site vistas as seen from prominent vantage points
inside the park, and views of the park from external vantage points in the region.

5.2 Policies Related to
Visual Resource
Management:

It shall be the policy of the Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, and
Recreation Department to:

5.3 Planned Actions:

•

Protect the natural landforms, vegetation, and other features of Tucson
Mountain Park that contribute to the visual quality of the site.

•

Construct new park facilities and improve existing park facilities in a
manner that minimizes the visual impact of the subject development when
viewed from on-site and off-site vantage points.

•

Actively oppose the construction of above-ground utility lines,
communication towers, highways, large structures, and infrastructure
improvements within, or in the vicinity of, the site that will diminish the
visual resources associated with Tucson Mountain Park.

•

Consider visual resource protection when evaluating potential land
acquisitions and park expansion.

The following actions related to the management of Tucson Mountain Park’s
visual resources are planned.
•

Actively participate in the review of feasibility studies, alignment studies,
and other documents related to new pipelines, transmission lines, and
regional infrastructure improvements proposed for areas within or near
Tucson Mountain Park to determine their potential impact on the visual
resources of the park.

•

Work with the Pima County Development Services Department to review
the plans for proposed new developments in the vicinity of the park to
determine their impact on the visual resources of Tucson Mountain Park.

•

Design and construct new or renovated park facilities in a manner that
protects and enhances the visual resources associated with Tucson
Mountain Park.

•

Periodically implement clean-up, restoration, and revegetation projects as
may be needed to restore the visual quality of disturbed sites within Tucson
Mountain Park.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

5-1

6. Physical Resource Management
6.1 Management
Objectives:

Tucson Mountain Park will be managed with the objective of preserving, without
degradation, the soils, geologic features, and water resources present within
Tucson Mountain Park.

6.2 Policies Related to
Physical Resource
Management:

It shall be the policy of the Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, and
Recreation Department to:

6.3 Planned Actions:

•

Develop and use the park site in a manner that conserves the soil resources
present on the site and that minimizes soil erosion.

•

Develop and use the park site in a manner that preserves the natural
character of the geologic formations and surface rock features present
within the park.

•

Operate the park in a manner that protects surface water quality, natural
surface water drainage patterns, and opportunities for ground water recharge
within the park.

•

Prohibit the removal of minerals from the ground surface and the subsurface
mining of minerals within the park.

•

Actively participate in the review of all proposals related to mineral
extraction on lands adjacent, or in close proximity, to the park site.

•

Require that all new facilities, roadways, utilities, and infrastructure
improvements constructed within the park be designed in a manner that will
prevent visible excavations, large fill slopes, and exposed rock cut-slopes.

•

Actively participate in the review of development proposals for areas
adjacent or near the site to determine their potential impact on the physical
resources of Tucson Mountain Park.

The following actions related to the management of Tucson Mountain Park’s
physical resources are planned.
•

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

Review all new construction and park development projects relative to their
potential impact on the park’s physical resources and require that these
impacts be minimized and/or mitigated.

6-1

7. Public Use Facilities
7.1 Introduction:

The picnic areas, shooting ranges, and overlooks within Tucson Mountain Park
get extensive public use. Facilities at some of these sites date back more than
half a century. Others were constructed more recently. All continue to be
valuable recreational resources for the community.
Improvements of some type and scope are needed at most of the existing public
use facilities within the park. These improvements are necessary to bring the
facilities up to reasonable contemporary standards and to meet applicable codes,
statutes, and other regulations.
Missing from Tucson Mountain Park is a central facility where visitors can get
information about the park, where they can make contact with a park employee,
and where they can report observed violations of park rules and regulations. A
small Visitor Contact Station is planned to correct this existing deficiency.

7.2 Management
Objective:

Tucson Mountain Park will be managed with the objective of providing the
public with developed facilities that accommodate a range of uses and activities
that are appropriate for the park’s natural resource setting, that are safe, and that
can be conducted without degradation of the park’s biological, cultural, visual,
or physical resources.

7.3 Policies Related to
Public Use:

It shall be the policy of the Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, and
Recreation Department to:
•

Provide and maintain trails, picnic areas, overlooks, roadside pull-outs, and
other recreational facilities within Tucson Mountain Park that are available
for public use without fee.

•

Provide and maintain certain developed facilities within the park, including
but not limited to: a campground, a shooting range, and an archery range,
that are available for public use upon payment of a designated user fee.

•

Consider and allow under certain circumstances the use of the park for
special events and activities provided that such events and activities do not
result in damage to the park’s resources, do not create unsafe conditions, do
not preclude or hinder normal park operations, and that do not unduly
restrict general public use of the park, as determined by the Natural
Resources, Parks, and Recreation Department. A user fee shall be charged
for approved special events and activities.

•

Prohibit all public use of the park for activities that may result in damage to
the park’s resources, that may create unsafe conditions, that may preclude or
hinder normal park operations, or that may unduly restrict general public
use of the park, as determined by the Natural Resources, Parks, and
Recreation Department.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

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7. Public Use Facilities
7.4 Planned Actions:

The following actions related to the public’s use of Tucson Mountain Park are
planned.
•

Construction of a new Visitor Contact Station where park users can; obtain
information related to park facilities, obtain information related to park rules
and regulations, and where users can report observed violations and/or
hazardous conditions to Park staff.

•

Operate, maintain, and construct as-needed improvements to the existing
system of picnic areas, overlooks, roadside pull-outs and other recreational
facilities that are available for public use free-of-charge. (Proposed
improvements shall be as outlined herein).

•

Continue to operate, maintain, and construct as-needed improvements to the
campground, shooting range, archery range, and other park facilities that are
available to the public on a fee-for-use basis. (Proposed improvements shall
be as outlined herein).

•

Continue to utilize the special activity / event application form that, when
completed, provides the Department with sufficient information related to
scope, character, and potential impacts of proposed special activity or event.

•

Conduct reviews of all special activity and event proposals based on the
various provisions of this Management Plan and issue a timely decision of
approval or denial in response to each proposal.

•

Collaborate with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department to enforce all Pima
County park system rules and regulations and all Tucson Mountain Park site
specific rules and regulations as they relate to the public’s use of the park.

•

Periodically update the rules and regulations pertaining to the public’s use
of the park as deemed necessary and appropriate by the Natural Resources,
Parks, and Recreation Department and the Pima County Parks Commission.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

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7. Public Use Facilities
7.5 New Visitor
Contact Station:

It is proposed that a new Visitor Contact Station be constructed at a site near the
intersection of Kinney Road and McCain Loop Road. This facility is needed to
provide a location where park users can; obtain information related to park
facilities, obtain information related to park use rules and regulations, and report
observed violations and/or hazardous conditions to park staff.
The proposed Visitor Contact Station will also create a location where
interpretive and educational programs can be conducted and/or staged. These
programs may be developed and conducted by Pima County staff but may also be
presented in partnership with the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and/or
Saguaro National Park.
The proposed Visitor Center is intended to complement and work in concert with
existing facilities and on-going programs at the Desert Museum and at the
Saguaro National Park Red Hills Visitor Center.
Recommended Improvements:
SITE DEVELOPMENT
Modify Kinney Road / McCain Loop Road intersection as traffic calming
measure and to provide access to Visitor Contact Station
Construct paved entry drive and parking lot
BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES
Construct new Visitor Contact Station as illustrated in Figure 7-A
Construct new interpretive / educational plaza as illustrated in Figure 7-A
UTILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Extend water service to new Visitor Contact Station
Construct septic system for Visitor Contact Station wastewater treatment
Extend electrical service to new Visitor Contact Station
Extend telephone service to new Visitor Contact Station
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
Construct interpretive trail originating at Visitor Contact Station

x

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

Indicates high priority improvement

7-3

7. Public Use Facilities

Figure 7-A: Visitor Contact Station Diagram

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

7-4

7. Public Use Facilities
7.6 Gilbert Ray
Campground:

The Gilbert Ray Campground continues to be a valued recreational resource that
provides users with an opportunity to camp in a natural Sonoran Desert setting.
It also complements the facilities at the Tucson Mountain Unit of Saguaro
National Park which does not have a campground.
Recommended Improvements:
SITE DEVELOPMENT
Seal cracks and slurry-seal campground roads
Construct islands in registration building parking lot to provide screening
and organize traffic circulation and vehicle parking
BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES
x

Replace existing Registration Building w/ new structure. See Figure 7-B.
Repair, renovate, or replace each of 4 ramadas at Camp Host Area.
Restore CCC era Generator Building as interpretive site
Make as-needed repairs to restroom near Registration Building
Make as-needed repairs to restroom buildings in A-Loop and C-Loop
Remove old restroom building

UTILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Replace potable water distribution system
Make as-needed repairs to dump station and sewage lagoon as required to
maintain compliance with ADEQ and other applicable standards
Replace overhead electrical line to camp host area with an underground
service
Replace electrical distribution system and install new 50A electrical
pedestals at all RV sites
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
Relocate tent sites to be further away from road
x

Construct new campground entry monument sign
Construct screen wall to enclose dumpster in C-Loop
Install concrete slab at all A-Loop and C-Loop Picnic Tables

x

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

Indicates high priority improvement.

7-5

7. Public Use Facilities

Figure 7-B: New Campground Registration Building Diagram

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

7-6

7. Public Use Facilities
7.7 Juan Santa Cruz
Picnic Area:

The Juan Santa Cruz Picnic Area is extensively used, in part due to its proximity
to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Many visitors to the museum plan a
picnic as part of their trip but picnicking is not allowed within the museum
grounds. The Juan Santa Cruz Picnic Area is a convenient and desirable
alternative location for this activity. Included at this site are ramadas and picnic
tables that were developed in the 1960's and are now half a century old.
This picnic facility is located in an area where future Arizona-Sonora Desert
Museum expansion might occur. If the museum does expand into this site, it is
essential that a comparable picnic area be constructed in the immediate vicinity.
The salvage and reconstruction of the existing ramada structures should be part
of the relocation project.
Recommended Improvements:
SITE DEVELOPMENT
Seal cracks and slurry seal picnic area drive and parking areas
BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES
Preserve rock work, reconstruct Ramada No. 1 with new roof structure,
new roof deck, and new floor slab.
Preserve rock work, reconstruct Ramada No. 2 with new roof structure,
new roof deck, and new floor slab.
Preserve rock work, reconstruct Ramada No. 3 with new roof structure,
new roof deck, and new floor slab.
Make as-needed repairs to restroom building
UTILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Connect water system to new main in Kinney Road. Renovate on-site
water distribution system as-needed.
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
x

Construct new Picnic Area Monument Sign at entry

x

Install new Park Rules and Regulations sign with Trail Map
Repair and/or replace picnic tables No. 1 through No. 6 and related
improvements as-needed

x
x

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

Make provisions to handicapped access to picnic sites / tables
Indicates high priority improvement.

7-7

7. Public Use Facilities
7.8 Brown Mountain
Picnic Area:

The Brown Mountain Picnic Area consists of a drive that parallels Kinney Road
with pull-out parking spaces and picnic sites. The picnic sites include picnic
tables and a ramada. The ramada structures were constructed by Youth
Conservation Corps crews in 1976. There are no restrooms at the Brown
Mountain Picnic Area.
Recommended Improvements:
SITE DEVELOPMENT
Seal cracks and slurry seal picnic area drive and parking areas

BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES
Add new floor slab. Repair rock work, make as-needed structural repairs,
replace asphalt felt roof with new metal roof deck at Ramada No. 1
Add new floor slab. Repair rock work, make as-needed structural repairs,
replace asphalt felt roof with new metal roof deck at Ramada No. 2
Add new floor slab. Repair rock work, make as-needed structural repairs,
replace asphalt felt roof with new metal roof deck at Ramada No. 3

UTILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Provide water line stub-out in new irrigation main in Kinney Road for
potential future use at picnic area

OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
x

Construct new Picnic Area Monument Sign at entry

x

Install new Park Rules and Regulations sign with Trail Map

x

Make provisions for handicapped access to picnic sites / tables

x

Indicates high priority improvement.

Note: New restroom building not recommended for Brown Mountain Picnic Area
due to the small number of picnic sites and its proximity to the proposed Visitor
Contact Station which will have public restrooms. These restrooms will be open
during hours when picnic area is typically in use.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

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7. Public Use Facilities
7.9 Ironwood Picnic
Area:

The location of the Ironwood Picnic Area, close to Old Tucson Studios and close
to the southern entrance to the park, make it a popular day-use facility. The
picnic area has two restroom buildings with vault toilets. There is no existing
water service to this site. The ramadas at this site were constructed by Youth
Conservation Corps crews in 1978.
Recommended Improvements:
SITE DEVELOPMENT
Seal cracks and slurry seal picnic area drive and parking areas
BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES
Make as-needed structural and roof repairs and add new floor slab at
Ramada No. 1
Make as-needed structural and roof repairs and add new floor slab at
Ramada No. 2
Make as-needed structural and roof repairs and add new floor slab at
Ramada No. 3
Make as-needed structural and roof repairs and add new floor slab at
Ramada No. 4
Make as-needed repairs to restroom buildings 1 and 2
UTILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Extend water service to site terminating in the vicinity of the restroom
buildings. Construct exterior hand-wash sinks at each rest room.
(Retrofitting of existing restroom fixtures not proposed)
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
x

Construct new Picnic Area Monument Sign at entry

x

Install new Park Rules and Regulations sign with Trail Map
Repair and/or replace picnic tables No. 1 through No. 7 and related
improvements as-needed

x
x

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

Make provisions to handicapped access to picnic sites / tables
Indicates high priority improvement.

7-9

7. Public Use Facilities
7.10 Archery Range:

The Archery Range is a self-pay facility operated by the Pima County NRP&R
Department, Recreation Division, Shooting Sports Section. Facilities at this site
include a range with targets at 20 to 70 yards and three roving or trail courses. A
large shooting ramada and a restroom building with water and electricity are
present on the site. There are two additional small ramadas. Access to the site is
via an unpaved road. There is also a large unpaved parking lot.
Recommended Improvements:
SITE DEVELOPMENT
Pave entry drive to parking lot
Pave portions of the cleared area as a parking lot. Mark designated spaces
and drives. Revegetate perimeter areas not used for parking.
BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES
Make as-needed structural and roof repairs to large shooting ramada
Make as-needed structural repairs, replace roof deck, and install metal
roof at small ramadas 1 and 2
Make as-needed repairs to restroom building roof. Make as needed
repairs to restroom mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems. Repair
stone veneer at exterior of restroom building.
UTILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Connect water system to new water main in Kinney Road and renovate
on-site water distribution system, as-needed
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
x

Construct new Archery Range Monument Sign at entry.

x

Install new Park Rules and Regulations Sign with Trail Map
Redevelop roving courses. Provide new signs and miscellaneous
improvements associated with each course.

x

x

Install fence or markers at perimeter of site to warn off-trail hikers,
equestrians, and/or mountain bicyclists
Indicates high priority improvement.

Note: Construction of additional multi-purpose ramada at this site should be
considered. These ramadas could be reserved for approved activities when range
is closed. The existing restrooms would serve small groups using these multipurpose ramadas.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

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7. Public Use Facilities
7.11 Rifle and Pistol
Range:

The Rifle and Pistol Range is a staffed facility operated by the Pima County
NRP&R Department, Recreation Division, Shooting Sports Section. Fees are
collected for use of the range. Facilities at this site include a bermed shooting
range, a large shooting ramada, small vault toilet building, and a small office /
storage building. There are no water or electrical services to the site. Access to
the site is via an unpaved road. There is also a small unpaved parking lot.
Recommended Improvements:
SITE DEVELOPMENT
Pave entry drive to parking lot
Pave the parking lot. Mark designated spaces and drives.
BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES
Make as-needed structural and roof repairs to large shooting ramada
Construct a new restroom, office, storage building as a single structure or
separate structure based on additional site planning.

UTILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Extend water system to site and new restroom building
Construct on-site septic system for wastewater disposal
Extend electrical service to site and to new on-site buildings
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
x

Construct new Rifle - Pistol Range Monument Sign at entry.

x

Install new Park Rules and Regulations Sign

x

Repair and/or install fence and markers at perimeter of safety fan to warn
off-trail hikers, equestrians, and/or mountain bicyclists

x

Make provisions for handicapped access to range site / facilities

x

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

Indicates high priority improvement.

7-11

7. Public Use Facilities
7.12 Gates Pass
Overlook:

The Gates Pass Overlook is one of the most popular destinations in the park. It
is used extensively by both local residents and visitors to the community.
Facilities at the overlook include a primary parking lot, a lower overflow parking
lot, a restroom building, an accessible overlook area, a restored look-out
building, and fixed interpretive displays.
Recommended Improvements:
SITE DEVELOPMENT
Seal cracks, slurry seal drives and parking areas, and re-stripe parking
areas as-needed.
x

Install self-closing (solar powered) gate at entry to site.

BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES
Make as-need repairs to restroom building, look-out building, and
overlook ramada.

UTILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
(Note: There are no utility services to this site and none are planned)

OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
x

Construct new Overlook Monument Sign at entry

x

Install new Park Rules and Regulations sign with Trail Map

x

Construct accessible trail to remote overlook to provide handicapped
accessible viewing opportunity separated from parking lot (and to
minimize off-trail pedestrian travel on hillsides). Trail was proposed as
part of the 1999 renovation of the overlook but deleted from the scope of
the project due to budget constraints.

x

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

Indicates high priority improvement.

7-12

7. Public Use Facilities
7.13 G-3 Overlook:

The G-3 Overlook, located on the west side of Gates Pass Road is a popular
location for viewing sunsets and taking photographs of the park. Facilities at the
overlook include a small paved parking lot, short segments of paved walkway,
and a few benches. The popularity and high-level of use at this site warrant the
reconstruction and reconfiguration of this overlook.
Recommended Improvements:
SITE DEVELOPMENT
x

Reconstruct entry and parking lot with a single entry / exit drive, with
designated (striped) parking spaces, with a handicapped accessible
parking space, and with an accessible walkway to a viewing area.

BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES
(Note: There are no buildings at this site and none are planned)

UTILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
(Note: There are no utility services to this site and none are planned)

OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
x

Construct new Overlook Monument Sign at entry

x

Install new Park Rules and Regulations sign with Trail Map
Construct small, accessible viewing area with interpretive signs. Due to
topography in this area, small retaining walls may be necessary.
Retaining walls and other site features should be constructed of native
stone to match the existing facilities at the Gates Pass Overlook.

x

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

Indicates high priority improvement.

7-13

8. Park Trail System
8.1 Introduction

The trail system within Tucson Mountain Park is a valued and extensively
utilized recreational amenity consisting of more than 60 miles of single-track
trail. It is estimated that more than 150,000 visitors use the park’s trail system
annually.
A significant issue associated with the Tucson Mountain Park trail system is the
construction of new social or wildcat trails by individuals without authorization
by the Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, and Recreation Department. In
recent years, this activity has resulted in the construction of more than 40 miles
of unauthorized trails. There is a need to evaluate and, in some instances,
eliminate these unauthorized trails.

8.2 Management
Objectives:

Tucson Mountain Park will be managed with the objective of providing a safe
trail system with opportunities for hiking, trail running, mountain bicycling,
horseback riding, and similar activities. The trail system will be developed,
operated, and maintained in a manner that protects the physical, biological,
cultural, and visual resources of the site.

8.3 Policies Related to
Tucson Mountain
Park Trails:

It shall be the policy of the Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, and
Recreation Department to:
•

Provide safe and legal access to the Tucson Mountain Park trail system at
designated trailheads, entry points, and developed park facilities.

•

Prohibit access to the park’s trail system from adjacent properties through
private gates.

•

Prohibit the construction of new trails and/or the modification of existing
trails, except as may be approved by the Pima County Natural Resources,
Parks, and Recreation Department.

•

Accommodate hiking, trail running, mountain bicycling, equestrian use, and
similar non-motorized uses on all trails within the park. (Closure of specific
segments of individual trails to one or more uses may be considered and
implemented if deemed necessary by the Natural Resources, Parks, and
Recreation Department for resource protection and/or public safety).

•

Prohibit the use of off-highway vehicles (OHV’s) and all other motorized
vehicles on the park’s trails, except as may be needed for maintenance,
search-and-rescue operations, and/or law enforcement activities.

•

Require that trail users remain on designated trails, except as may be
authorized on a case-by-case basis through the issuance of an off-trail
activity permit.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

8-1

8. Park Trail System
8.4 Planned Actions:

The following actions related to the development and operation of the Tucson
Mountain Park Trail System are planned.
•

Improvement of and development of existing trailheads and designated
trailhead sites as outlined herein.

•

Construction of two new trailheads or public access points to provide public
access to the BLM Expansion Site portion of Tucson Mountain Park.

•

Closure and restoration of the existing King Canyon Trailhead and
construction of a new King Canyon Trailhead in a nearby location where
vehicular access and traffic safety will be enhanced.

•

Periodic inspection of all authorized trails, identification of trail
deficiencies, and implementation of as-needed remedial work.

•

Phased inspection of all unauthorized trails and issuance of a final
determination as to whether each of these unauthorized trails should be
retained or eliminated.

•

Closure of trails to be eliminated including the posting of a closure notice at
access points to the subject trail and the phased revegetation / restoration of
the trail corridor.

•

Preparation, printing, and distribution of trail maps that identify authorized
trails and trailheads within the park.

•

Posting of the official trail map on the Pima County website with
accompanying information related to trail use rules and regulations.

•

Installation of informational signs at trailheads and access points that
identify authorized trails and applicable rules and regulations.

•

Installation of trail identification markers at intervals along each authorized
trail.

•

Development of a detailed trail plan for the Robles Pass Trails Park portion
of Tucson Mountain Park.

•

Phased construction of the Robles Park trail system.

•

Development of a process for reviewing requests for off-trail activities and
for the issuance of off-trail use permits.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

8-2

8. Park Trail System
8.5 Recommended
Trailhead
Improvements
(Existing
Trailheads):

The following improvements to existing trailheads are recommended.
STARR PASS TRAILHEAD
x

Pave Clearwell Road from Starr Pass Boulevard to trailhead. Work to be
implemented in conjunction with the City of Tucson Department of
Transportation

x

Install directional sign at the intersection of Starr Pass Boulevard and
Clearwell Road
Restore / revegetate disturbed areas at the perimeter of the trailhead
parking lot

x

Install sign(s) with trail map and park rules / regulations

36th STREET TRAILHEAD
Restore / revegetate disturbed areas at the perimeter of the trailhead
parking lot
Install directional sign at the intersection of 36th Street and La Cholla
Boulevard
x

Install sign(s) with trail map and park rules / regulations

CAMINO DE OESTE TRAILHEAD
Pave (unpaved portion of) Camino de Oeste and parking lot. Work to be
implemented in conjunction with the City of Tucson Department of
Transportation
Install directional sign at the intersection of Camino de Oeste and Gates
Pass Road
Restore / revegetate disturbed areas at the perimeter of the trailhead
parking lot
x

Install sign(s) with trail map and park rules / regulations

KING CANYON TRAILHEAD
Construct new trailhead with paved entry drive and parking lot at new
(nearby) site as needed to improve traffic safety.
Construct new Trailhead Monument Sign at intersection of new entry
drive and Kinney Road
x

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

Indicates high priority improvement

8-3

8. Park Trail System

x

Install sign(s) with trail map and park rules / regulations

MILE WIDE TRAILHEAD
Construct new Trailhead monument sign at intersection of new entry drive
and Sandario Road
x

Install sign(s) with trail map and park rules / regulations

SARASOTA TRAILHEAD
Install directional sign at the intersection of Kinney Road and Sarasota
Boulevard
Construct new Trailhead Monument Sign at entry to trailhead
x

Install sign(s) with trail map and summary of park rules and regulations

J.W. MARRIOTT WALK-IN ENTRY
x

Install sign(s) with trail map and park rules / regulations (at terminus of
Bowen Trail and Hidden Canyon Trail and hotel access drive)

TUCSON ESTATES WALK-IN ENTRY

8.6 New Trailhead
Development:

x

Install sign(s) with trail map and park rules / regulations

x

Modify gates to accommodate pedestrian, equestrian, and mountain
bicycle access while restricting OHV access

EXPLORER TRAILHEAD (FUTURE)
Construct new trailhead with paved entry drive and parking lot. Trailhead
to have access from La Cholla Boulevard. Trailhead to be configured to
accommodate pick-up truck with equestrian trailers
Construct new fencing and gates as required to control motor-vehicle
access to and circulation through site and to restrict OHV access to park
Construct new Trailhead monument sign at entry to trailhead
Install sign(s) with trail map and park rules / regulations
x

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

Indicates high priority improvement

8-4

8. Park Trail System

LEAD FLOWER AVENUE TRAILHEAD (FUTURE)
Construct new trailhead with paved entry drive and parking lot. Trailhead
to be constructed in the vicinity of Lead Flower Avenue and Banks
Elementary School. (Actual location to be as selected by PCNRPR upon
completion of field reconnaissance and other appropriate studies)
Install directional sign at the intersection of Bopp Road and Lead Flower
Avenue (or other appropriate off-site location)
Construct new Trailhead Monument Sign at entry to trailhead
Install sign(s) with trail map and park rules / regulations
SAN JOAQUIN TRAILHEAD (FUTURE)
Construct new trailhead with paved entry drive and parking lot. Trailhead
to be constructed on the north side of San Joaquin Road west of Purple
Sky Trail. (Actual location to be as selected by the PCNRPR upon
completion of field reconnaissance and other appropriate studies)
Construct new Trailhead Monument Sign at entry to trailhead
Install sign(s) with trail map and park rules / regulations
IRONWOOD TRAILHEAD (FUTURE)
Construct a small trailhead with parking spaces for truck / horse trailer
parking northwest of the intersection of Kinney Road and the Ironwood
Picnic Area entry drive.
WELL ROAD TRAILHEAD (FUTURE)
Construct a small trailhead with parking spaces for truck / horse trailer
parking at the intersection of McCain Loop Road and the (unpaved /
controlled access) Well Road.

8.7 Trail System
Improvements:

The following improvements to the existing trail system are proposed.
GENERAL TRAIL SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS
x

Install trail identification markers at intervals along all authorized park
trails

x

Install sign(s) trail maps at trailheads

x

Install sign(s) with park rules and regulations at trailheads

x

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

Indicates high priority improvement

8-5

8. Park Trail System
36th STREET TRAIL
Perform general trail maintenance
AVERY BRYCE TRAIL
Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation
BOWEN TRAIL
x

Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation

BROWN MOUNTAIN TRAIL
x

Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation

CALICHE FLATS TRAIL
Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation
CAMPGROUND TRAIL
Relocate and/or reconstruct wash crossing(s)
Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation
CHAPARRAL TRAIL
Realign portions of trail (near pull-out G-3)
Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation
CHEOPS TRAIL
Relocate and/or reconstruct wash crossing(s)
Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation
COUGAR TRAIL
Relocate and/or reconstruct wash crossing (near Gates Pass Road)
Realign portions of trail (near powerline)
x

Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation

COYOTE TRAIL
Perform general trail maintenance
x

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

Indicates high priority improvement

8-6

8. Park Trail System

CREOSOTE TRAIL
Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation
Prune vegetation as-need to provide safe trail corridor
EXPLORER TRAIL
Realign portions of trail (along powerline)
Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation
GATES PASS TRAIL
Realign portions of trail (as-needed to reduce erosion)
Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation
GOLDEN GATE TRAIL
x

Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation

x

Prune vegetation as-need to provide safe trail corridor

HIDDEN CANYON TRAIL
Perform general trail maintenance
IRONWOOD TRAIL
x

Realign portions of trail (in vicinity of Ironwood Wash)

x

Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation

KERR JAR TRAIL
Stabilize and/or reconstruct wash crossings
Prune vegetation as-need to provide safe trail corridor
MARIPOSA TRAIL
Relocate and/or reconstruct wash crossing(s)
OLD ADOBE TRAIL
Relocate and/or reconstruct wash crossing(s)
x

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

Indicates high priority improvement

8-7

8. Park Trail System

ORCUTT TRAIL
Relocate and/or reconstruct wash crossing(s)
Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation
Prune vegetation as-need to provide safe trail corridor
PALO VERDE TRAIL
Relocate and/or reconstruct wash crossing(s)
Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation
Prune vegetation as-need to provide safe trail corridor
PEAK VIEW TRAIL
x

Realign portions of trail

x

Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation
Prune vegetation as-need to provide safe trail corridor

PRICKLY PEAR TRAIL
Relocate and/or reconstruct wash crossing(s)
Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation
Prune vegetation as-need to provide safe trail corridor
PROSPECTOR TRAIL
Realign portions of trail
Relocate and/or reconstruct wash crossing(s)
Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation
Prune vegetation as-need to provide safe trail corridor
RATTLESNAKE TRAIL
Relocate and/or reconstruct wash crossing(s)
Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation
RINGTAIL TRAIL
x
x

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation
Indicates high priority improvement

8-8

8. Park Trail System

ROCK WREN TRAIL
Perform general trail maintenance
SAGUARO RIB TRAIL
Perform general trail maintenance
SEGO TRAIL
x

Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation

SILVER ORE TRAIL
Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation
SIPHON TRAIL
Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation
STARR PASS TRAIL
Realign portions of trail
Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation
TRIPLE C TRAIL
x

Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation

TUCSON ESTATES TRAIL
x

Relocate and/or reconstruct wash crossing(s)

x

Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation
Prune vegetation as-need to provide safe trail corridor

WELL ROAD TRAIL
Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation
YETMAN TRAIL
Realign portions of trail (to eliminate trail within wash bottom)
Stabilize, repair, revegetate areas with erosion / trail-side degradation
Prune vegetation as-need to provide safe trail corridor
x

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

Indicates high priority improvement

8-9

AREA - A

TUCSON MOUNTAIN PARK

AREA - B

FIGURE 8-A
TRAILS MAP
AREA - A

SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK
LEGEND

AREA - D

MILE WIDE ROAD

OR C

U TT

KING CANYON
TRAILHEAD

MILE WIDE
TRAILHEAD

TMP FIELD
OFFICE

TR

AI

L

TR A

IL

O

R C U T T TR A

PIMA COUNTY
ARCHERY RANGE

MC CAIN
LO

OP ROAD

SIP HON T RAIL

BROWN
MOUNTAIN
PICNIC AREA

GILBERT RAY
CAMPGROUND

C.A.P.
WILDLIFE MITIGATION CORRIDOR

P
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G RO

UN D

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A
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MA

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GATES PASS
OLD
TUCSON
STUDIOS

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(NO PUBLIC ACCESS)

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PO
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CT

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A

T S T R AI L

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TUCSON MOUNTAIN PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN
Pima County Natural Resources. Parks, and Recreation Department
Prepared by McGann & Associates Landscape Architects and Planners

ON
W

RR

A
TR

PR

T

IR

KE

C

RA
A V E R Y B RY C E T

0.5 Miles

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0 0.125 0.25

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ARIZONA-SONORA
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[

36TH STREET TRAIL
AVERY BRYCE TRAIL
BOWEN TRAIL
BROWN MOUNTAIN TRAIL
CALICHE FLATS TRAIL
CAMPGROUND TRAIL
CHAPARRAL TRAIL
CHEOPS TRAIL
COUGAR TRAIL
COYOTE TRAIL
CREOSOTE TRAIL
EXPLORER TRAIL
GATES PASS TRAIL
GOLDEN GATE TRAIL
HIDDEN CANYON TRAIL
IRONWOOD TRAIL
KERR JAR TRAIL
MARIPOSA TRAIL
OLD ADOBE TRAIL
ORCUTT TRAIL
PALO VERDE TRAIL
SOUTH
PEAK VIEW TRAIL
TUCSON
PRICKLEY
PEAR TRAIL
PROSPECTOR TRAIL
RATTLESNAKE TRAIL
RINGTAIL TRAIL
ROCK WREN TRAIL
SAGUARO RIB TRAIL
SEGO TRAIL
SILVER ORE TRAIL
SIPHON TRAIL
STARR PASS TRAIL
TRIPLE C TRAIL
TUCSON ESTATES TRAIL
WELL ROAD TRAIL
YETMAN TRAIL
ROBLES TRAIL - PLANNED

T R AIL

KEY MAP

CHAPARRAL TRAIL

AREA - C

!

POINTS OF INTEREST
TMP BOUNDARY

8-10

TUCSON MOUNTAIN PARK
SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK

AREA - A

GRANT

IRONWOOD HILL

E
LV
SI

AREA - C

AREA - D

LEGEND

RB

CAMINO DE OESTE

FIGURE 8-B
TRAILS MAP
AREA - B

AREA - B

36TH STREET TRAIL
AVERY BRYCE TRAIL
BOWEN TRAIL
BROWN MOUNTAIN TRAIL
CALICHE FLATS TRAIL
CAMPGROUND TRAIL
CHAPARRAL TRAIL
CHEOPS TRAIL
COUGAR TRAIL
COYOTE TRAIL
CREOSOTE TRAIL
EXPLORER TRAIL
GATES PASS TRAIL
GOLDEN GATE TRAIL
HIDDEN CANYON TRAIL
IRONWOOD TRAIL
KERR JAR TRAIL
MARIPOSA TRAIL
OLD ADOBE TRAIL
ORCUTT TRAIL
SOUTH
PEAK VIEW TRAIL
TUCSON
PRICKLY
PEAR TRAIL
PROSPECTOR TRAIL
RATTLESNAKE TRAIL
RINGTAIL TRAIL
ROCK WREN TRAIL
SAGUARO RIB TRAIL
SEGO TRAIL
SILVER ORE TRAIL
SIPHON TRAIL
STARR PASS TRAIL
TRIPLE C TRAIL
TUCSON ESTATES TRAIL
WELL ROAD TRAIL
YETMAN TRAIL
ROBLES TRAIL - PLANNED

EL

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TUCSON MOUNTAIN PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN
Pima County Natural Resources. Parks, and Recreation Department
Prepared by McGann & Associates Landscape Architects and Planners

IL

R

ST
AT
ES

0.5 Miles

Y ET M AN T
R

STARR PASS

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TUCSON MT. PARK
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POINTS OF INTEREST
TMP BOUNDARY

8-11

AREA - C

PR

AREA - B
CREO S OTE TR
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AREA - A

AREA - D

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TUCSON MOUNTAIN PARK

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36TH STREET TRAIL
AVERY BRYCE TRAIL
BOWEN TRAIL
BROWN MOUNTAIN TRAIL
CALICHE FLATS TRAIL
CAMPGROUND TRAIL
CHAPARRAL TRAIL
CHEOPS TRAIL
COUGAR TRAIL
COYOTE TRAIL
CREOSOTE TRAIL
EXPLORER TRAIL
GATES PASS TRAIL
GOLDEN GATE TRAIL
HIDDEN CANYON TRAIL
IRONWOOD TRAIL
KERR JAR TRAIL
MARIPOSA TRAIL
OLD ADOBE TRAIL
ORCUTT TRAIL
PALO VERDE TRAIL
SOUTH
PEAK VIEW TRAIL
TUCSON
PRICKLY
PEAR TRAIL
PROSPECTOR TRAIL
RATTLESNAKE TRAIL
RINGTAIL TRAIL
ROCK WREN TRAIL
SAGUARO RIB TRAIL
SEGO TRAIL
SILVER ORE TRAIL
SIPHON TRAIL
STARR PASS TRAIL
TRIPLE C TRAIL
TUCSON ESTATES TRAIL
WELL ROAD TRAIL
YETMAN TRAIL
ROBLES TRAIL - PLANNED

SILVER
ORE
TRAIL

BLM EXPANSION AREA
PROPOSED TRAILHEAD
(LOCATION APPROXIMATE)

SANDARIO

PROPOSED TRAILHEAD
(LOCATION APPROXIMATE)

NW

FIGURE 8-C
TRAILS MAP
AREA - C

BOPP
SA
N

JO
AQ
UI
N

AJO

[

0 0.125 0.25

0.5 Miles

TUCSON MOUNTAIN PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN
Pima County Natural Resources. Parks, and Recreation Department
Prepared by McGann & Associates Landscape Architects and Planners

!

POINTS OF INTEREST
TMP BOUNDARY
8-12

TU
CS
O

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TA
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RIFLE AND
PISTOL RANGE

PEAK
VIEW
TRAIL

PAL O VERDE TRA IL

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OLD
ADOBE
TRAIL

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FIGURE 8-D
TRAILS MAP
AREA - D

IL

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SAGUARO
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TUCSON ESTATES
WALK-IN ENTRY

S TA R

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LEGEND
T RA IL

36TH STREET
TRAILHEAD

36TH
STREET
TRAIL

SARASOTA
TRAILHEAD
(NORTH)

36TH STREET TRAIL
AVERY BRYCE TRAIL
BOWEN TRAIL
BROWN MOUNTAIN TRAIL
CALICHE FLATS TRAIL
CAMPGROUND TRAIL
CHAPARRAL TRAIL
CHEOPS TRAIL
COUGAR TRAIL
COYOTE TRAIL
CREOSOTE TRAIL
EXPLORER TRAIL
GATES PASS TRAIL
GOLDEN GATE TRAIL
HIDDEN CANYON TRAIL
IRONWOOD TRAIL
KERR JAR TRAIL
MARIPOSA TRAIL
OLD ADOBE TRAIL
ORCUTT TRAIL
PALO VERDE TRAIL
PEAK VIEW TRAIL
PRICKLY PEAR TRAIL
PROSPECTOR TRAIL
RATTLESNAKE TRAIL
RINGTAIL TRAIL
ROCK WREN TRAIL
SAGUARO RIB TRAIL
SEGO TRAIL
SILVER ORE TRAIL
SIPHON TRAIL
STARR PASS TRAIL
TRIPLE C TRAIL
TUCSON ESTATES TRAIL
WELL ROAD TRAIL
YETMAN TRAIL
ROBLES TRAIL - PLANNED

36TH STREET

STA R R
PA SS T
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SARASOTA
TRAILHEAD
(SOUTH)

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TRAILHEAD

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JOSEPH

CAMINO VERDE

ROBLES PASS
TRAILHEAD

0 0.125 0.25

0.5 Miles

TUCSON MOUNTAIN PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN
Pima County Natural Resources. Parks, and Recreation Department
Prepared by McGann & Associates Landscape Architects and Planners

AREA - A

AREA - B

AREA - C

AREA - D

MISSI ON

AJO

KI
NN
EY

CAMINO DE OESTE

TUCSON ESTATES

BOPP

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XP

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RA

DREXEL

KEY MAP

!

POINTS OF INTEREST
TMP BOUNDARY
8-13

TUCSON MOUNTAIN PARK
FIGURE 8-E
EXISTING UNAUTHORIZED TRAILS

SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK

LEGEND

ARIZONA - SONORA
DESERT MUSEUM

[

Unauthorized Trails
Authorized Trails
Tucson Mountain Park Boundary

MCC
O OP
A IN L

C.A.P.
CANAL
WILDLIFE
MITIGATION
CORRIDOR

GATES PASS RO
AD

OLD TUCSON
STUDIOS

[

CITY OF
TUCSON

TUCSON
MOUNTAIN
PARK
KI
NN

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RO
AD

SANDARIO RD

BLM SITE EXPANSION
AREA

JO
W. A

[

0

0.3

0.6

HWY

ROBLES
PASS
TRAILS PARK

1.2 Miles

TUCSON MOUNTAIN PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN
Pima County Natural Resources. Parks, and Recreation Department
Prepared by McGann & Associates Landscape Architects and Planners
8-14

9. Park Roads
9.1 Introduction:

Gates Pass Road and Kinney Road are the primary roadways within Tucson
Mountain Park. Both are paved, two-lane roadways. McCain Loop Road is a
secondary paved road. Gates Pass Road and Kinney Road carry a substantial
volume of motor vehicle traffic and the volume of traffic has increased
dramatically in recent years. Current traffic volumes and traffic volumes at the
same locations from ten years ago are as follows:
Location
Gates Pass Road at east Entry to Park
Kinney Road at south Entry to Park
Kinney Road at north Entry to Park

1997 ADT
2,400 / Day
1,400 / Day
2,200 / Day

2007 ADT
4,400 / Day
3,800 / Day
2,900 / Day

Change
+ 75%
+ 171%
+ 32%

There are a few unpaved roads within the park. These include the road
connecting the well and the Gilbert Ray Campground and the access road the
Sonoran Arthropods Studies Inc. Both of these roads are gated and not open for
public use.
9.2 Management
Objectives:

Tucson Mountain Park will be managed with the objective of providing a basic
system of roads within the park as needed to provide for public, staff, and
emergency access to park facilities. The park will also be managed with the
objective of minimizing the volume of motor vehicle traffic in the park that is
not generated by park facilities.

9.3 Policies Related to
Park Roads:

It shall be the policy of the Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, and
Recreation Department to:
• Retain Gates Pass Road, Kinney Road, and McCain Loop Road as part of the
Pima County roadway system, maintained by the Pima County Department of
Transportation.
• Continue to maintain park roads without a paved or cleared shoulder so as to
discourage on-street parking and encourage the use of designated roadside
pull-outs.
• Prohibit the construction of new public roadways within the park, exclusive
of new or improved access drives to proposed and/or existing park facilities.
• Discourage motor vehicle traffic on park roads that is not specifically
generated by visitation at park facilities.
• Allow bicycle traffic on all paved park roads consistent with applicable state
and county rules and regulations.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

9-1

9. Park Roads
9.4 Planned Actions:

The following actions related to the maintenance and operation of park roads are
planned:
• Adoption (in collaboration with the Pima County Department of
Transportation) of a standard Mountain Park and Preserve roadway crosssection for all public roads within the Natural Resource Park System. (See
Figure 9-A).
• Maintenance and enforcement (by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department) of
the 35 mile per hour speed limit on park roads.
• Construction of entry monuments at each roadway entrance to the park to
clearly convey to motorists that they are entering Tucson Mountain Park.
• Construction of traffic calming improvements at appropriate locations along
Gates Pass Road and Kinney Road. Traffic calming improvements to include
median islands, speed tables, intersection configuration changes, traffic
control modifications, and similar elements. (See Figure 9-B).
• Assessment of the need for multiple northbound and southbound traffic lanes
on Kinney Road in the vicinity of Old Tucson and the possible reduction in
pavement width and/or the number of traffic lanes, as appropriate.
• Collaboration with the Pima County Department of Transportation as needed
to develop alternate routes for commuter traffic around, rather than through,
the park. One alternate route to be investigated is a connection between
Sandario Road and San Joaquin Road. (See Figure 9-B).

Figure 9-A: Proposed Cross-Section for Mountain Park and Preserve Roadways

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

9-2

10. Park Infrastructure / Operations and Maintenance Facilities
10.1 Introduction:

The utility systems within Tucson Mountain Park include a water system that is
operated and maintained by the Pima County Natural Resources Parks and
Recreation Department. Also present are an overhead electrical distribution
system that is operated by the Trico Electric Cooperative and underground phone
lines that are operated by Qwest. These utilities are essential to the operation of
the leased facilities within the park (Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Old
Tucson Studios) and essential to the operation of many of the public use
facilities operated by Pima County.
In addition to utility systems, there is an operations and maintenance facility
located near the entrance to the Gilbert Ray Campground. This walled / fenced
compound includes a small workshop building, water storage reservoirs, booster
pumps, and outdoor storage areas. Shipping containers are currently being used
for the storage of materials and small equipment.
There is also a building located near the entrance to the Arizona-Sonora Desert
Museum that is currently being used as a field office for park personnel and
volunteers. This stone structure is a renovated residence that does not meet
current accessibility requirements.

10.2 Management
Objectives:

Tucson Mountain Park will be managed with the objective of providing reliable
utility services to the facilities within the Park and with the objective of
providing adequate facilities for the operation and maintenance of park
improvements.

10.3 Policies Related
to Park
Infrastructure
and Park
Operations and
Maintenance:

It shall be the policy of the Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, and
Recreation Department to:
• Meet its contractual obligation to provide potable water to the ArizonaSonora Desert Museum and to Old Tucson Studios while working
cooperatively with all impacted parties and stakeholders to minimize
consumptive water use in the park.
• Work cooperatively with the public utility companies who have facilities in
the park to allow these utility companies to perform routine maintenance (and
periodic replacement) of the existing utility lines in a manner that minimizes
the impact on park resources.
• To prohibit the use of Tucson Mountain Park lands for the construction and
operation of utility transmission and distribution lines that are not essential to
the operation of park facilities.
• To advocate for and/or require that existing overhead utility lines be installed
underground when they are upgraded or replaced, if the undergrounding work
can be accomplished in a manner that is not detrimental to the park’s
resources.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

10-1

10. Park Infrastructure / Operations and Maintenance Facilities
• Provide on-site facilities as-needed for the operation and maintenance of park
infrastructure and public use facilities.
• To continue to utilize the resources of the Pima County Natural Resources,
Parks, and Recreation Department’s central shops, mechanics, and technicians
to supplement staff assigned to Tucson Mountain Park.
10.4 Planned Actions:

The following actions related to park infrastructure and park operations and
maintenance facilities are planned.
•

Make repairs and improvements to the park’s potable water well, pumping
system, and storage reservoirs as recommended by the 2008 Water System
Study prepared by Psomas Engineering.

•

Replace the existing water pipeline(s) extending from the water storage /
pumping facilities at the Gilbert Ray Campground to the Arizona-Sonora
Desert Museum and to Old Tucson Studios as recommended by the 2008
Water System Study prepared by Psomas Engineering.

•

Extend water service to the Rifle / Pistol Range.

•

Extend water service to the proposed Visitor Contact Station.

•

Provide stub-outs (on the new water main) at the Brown Mountain and
Ironwood Picnic Areas for potential future use at these locations.

•

Collaborate with the Trico Electrical Cooperative to develop a plan for the
replacement of the existing power poles and the upgrading of the existing
electrical lines in the park, including the identification of access routes for
this work and for the future maintenance activities.

•

Construct a new operations and maintenance (O&M) building within the
existing O&M compound with adequate space for repair shops, materials
storage, and equipment storage. Building to include a loading dock, an
office for staff, a meeting room for volunteers, and accessible restrooms.
Building height and exterior finishes to be selected to minimize impact on
the park’s visual resources.

•

Revegetate areas at the perimeter of the O&M compound to screen facility
from adjacent public use areas and roads.

•

Maintain the existing field office building (without improvements needed to
make the building accessible per current standards) as an auxiliary park
building.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

10-2

10. Park Infrastructure / Operations and Maintenance Facilities

Figure 10-A: Conceptual Site Plan Park Operations and Maintenance Center

Figure 10-B: Diagram of Proposed Operations and Maintenance Building

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

10-3

11. Park Signs
11.1 Introduction:

Over a period of many decades, various signs have been installed within Tucson
Mountain Park. These signs were constructed using various materials, forms,
and graphic formats. The resulting sign system lacks continuity and fails to
convey information to the public in a unified and consistent manner.

11.2 Management
Objectives:

Tucson Mountain Park will be managed with the objective of providing a
comprehensive sign system that provides information needed by the public and
that clearly communicates to park visitors that they are within a unique natural
resource park.

11.3 Policies Related
to Park Signs:

It shall be the policy of the Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, and
Recreation Department to:

11.4 Planned Actions:

•

Provide a comprehensive system of signs within Tucson Mountain Park as
needed to identify the park, the park’s public use facilities, and applicable
rules and regulations for park use.

•

Prohibit the installation of temporary event signs, commercial signs, or
other signs not directly related to the park, its facilities, and/or leased
properties.

The following actions related to signs within Tucson Mountain Park are planned.
•

Use of a standard logo and typeface in conjunction with all new park signs.
(Graphic standards to be as developed by PCNRPR for the overall County
park system).

•

Construction of entry monument signs at the Gates Pass Road entry and at
the north and south Kinney Road entrances to the park.

•

Construction of a standard facility identification sign at the entrances to all
public use facilities within the park.

•

Installation of kiosks at all trailheads and overlooks with replaceable sign
panels for park rules and regulations and for trail / facility maps.

•

Installation of standard facility identification and directional signs within
public use areas, as-appropriate.

•

Installation of off-site directional signs at key locations near trailheads and
park entrances.

•

Installation of trail identification markers at trail intersections and at ½ mile
intervals along all authorized trails.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

11-1

11. Park Signs
11.5 Preliminary List
of Required
Signs:

ENTRY MONUMENT SIGNS
Gates Pass Road Entrance
Kinney Road South Entrance
Kinney Road North Entrance
PUBLIC USE FACILITY ENTRY / IDENTIFICATION SIGNS
New Visitor Contract Station
Gilbert Ray Campground
Juan Santa Cruz Picnic Area
Brown Mountain Picnic Area
Ironwood Picnic Area
Gates Pass Overlook
G-3 Overlook
Archery Range
Rifle / Pistol Range
Starr Pass Trailhead
36th Street Trailhead
Camino de Oeste Trailhead
King Canyon Trailhead
Sarasota Trailhead
Future Trailheads (Explorer and two BLM sites)
PARK RULES AND TRAIL / FACILITY MAP KIOSKS
Starr Pass Trailhead
36th Street Trailhead
Camino de Oeste Trailhead
King Canyon Trailhead
Sarasota Trailhead
Starr Pass / J.W. Marriott Walk-in Entry
Tucson Estates Walk-In Entries (2 locations)

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

11-2

11. Park Signs
Gates Pass Overlook
G-3 Overlook
Archery Range
Rifle / Pistol Range
Roadside pull-out G-1 near east park entrance
Roadside pull-out K-1 near south park entrance
Roadside pull-out K-31 near north park entrance
Future Trailheads (Explorer and two BLM sites)
FACILITY IDENTIFICATION / DIRECTIONAL SIGNS
(TYPICAL LOCATIONS)
Various locations within new Visitor Contact Station site.
All picnic area ramadas
All restroom buildings
Various locations in Gilbert Ray Campground (registration building,
campground loops, dump station, etc.)
Various locations within Archery Range and Rifle / Pistol Range
OFF-SITE DIRECTIONAL SIGNS
(IDENTIFYING ROUTE TO PARK ENTRY AND/OR TRAILHEAD)
Speedway Boulevard at Greasewood
Sandario Road at Mile Wide Road (2)
Kinney Road at Bopp Road
Starr Pass Boulevard and Clearwell Road (2)
36th Street and la Cholla Boulevard (2)
Camino de Oeste and Gates Pass Road (2)
Kinney Road near entrance to King Canyon Trailhead (2)
(Future) La Cholla Boulevard near proposed Explorer Trailhead
(Future) Bopp Road at Lead Flower Avenue
(Future) San Joaquin Road east and west of proposed trailhead (2)
TRAIL IDENTIFICATION MARKERS
At all beginning of all trails and at ½ mile intervals (+/- 150 Total)

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

11-3

12. Leased Facilities
12.1 Introduction:

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (ASDM) leases 95 acres of land within
Tucson Mountain Park near the park’s northern boundary. On this property the
museum operates a zoo, a natural history museum, and botanical garden. The
facilities on this site were constructed by, and are operated and maintained by
the museum. Pima County is responsible for providing up to 42 acre feet of
water to the site each year for irrigation, fire protection, and domestic uses. The
current lease between Pima County and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
extends through 2028.
Old Tucson Studios leases 180 acres of park land near the intersection of Kinney
Road and Gates Pass Road and operates a theme park with the features of an old
western town. Equestrian trail rides and special events, such as a seasonal
Halloween show, are also conducted at the site. The facilities at the site were
constructed by, and are operated and maintained by, Old Tucson Studios. Pima
County is responsible for providing up to 18 acre feet of water to the site each
year for fire protection and domestic uses. The current lease between Pima
County and Old Tucson Studios extends through 2023.
The Sonoran Arthopods Studies Inc. (SASI) leases a group of small buildings
near the center of the park and uses these buildings as laboratory, office, and
meeting space. The current lease between Pima County and SASI extends
through 2009.

12.2 Management
Objectives:

Tucson Mountain Park will be managed with the objective of maintaining
existing opportunities and creating new opportunities for recreation, resource
conservation, environmental education, resource interpretation, and scientific
research through partnerships with entities that operate facilities on leased lands
within Tucson Mountain Park.

12.3 Policies Related
to Leased
Facilities:

It shall be the policy of the Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, and
Recreation Department to:
• Work in partnership with the operators of leased facilities in Tucson
Mountain Park to provide local residents and visitors to Pima County with
appropriate opportunities for recreation, education, and resource
interpretation.
• Review each lease prior to its current expiration date to determine if renewal
is in the best interest of Pima County and to identify amendments to the lease
that will better serve the interests of Pima County, Tucson Mountain Park, the
Natural Resources, Parks, and Recreation Department, and the lessee.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

12-1

12. Leased Facilities
12.4 Planned Actions:

The following actions related to the leased facilities within Tucson Mountain
Park are planned.
•

Continue to provide utility and other specified services to the leased
facilities within the park.

•

Repair and/or replace the existing water distribution system as required to
provide potable water to the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum and Old
Tucson in accordance with current lease agreements.

•

Collaborate with the Pima County Department of Economic Development
and Tourism and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum to develop a strategic
plan that addresses issues of mutual interest that are not included in the
provisions of the current lease. These issues include, but are not limited to,
facility expansion, water delivery, water conservation, and interpretive /
educational programs.

•

Collaborate with the Pima County Department of Economic Development
and Tourism and Old Tucson Studios to develop a strategic plan that
addresses issues of mutual interest that are not included in the provisions of
the current lease. These issues include, but are not limited to, water
delivery, water conservation, and restoration of areas outside the leased
property that have been disturbed by equestrian trail rides and other
activities.

•

Review and evaluate the research and educational programs currently being
conducted by the Sonoran Arthropods Studies Inc. at the park to determine
if an extension of the current lease, with or without additional provisions, is
in the best interest of Pima County.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

12-2

13. Park Expansion
13.1 Introduction:

Urban development is occurring on lands surrounding Tucson Mountain Park.
Most of the surrounding land is privately owned and many of the adjacent
parcels have been subdivided. As a result of these conditions, there is limited
opportunity for large-scale land acquisition and park expansion. These
conditions notwithstanding, expansion of the park should be considered and
pursued where feasible and where it will enhance the Department’s ability to
effectively manage and protect the park’s resources.

13.2 Management
Objectives:

Tucson Mountain Park will be managed with the objective of acquiring new
lands and expanding the park in locations where such expansion will improve
recreational opportunities available to the public, enhance the Natural Resources,
Parks, and Recreation Department’s resource management capabilities, and
provide / maintain biological corridors.

13.3 Policies Related
to Park
Expansion:

It shall be the policy of the Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, and
Recreation Department to:

13.4 Planned Actions:

•

Attempt to eliminate private in-holdings within the park boundaries
through the purchase of the subject lands from willing sellers at purchase
prices that are deemed reasonable and appropriate by the Pima County
Board of Supervisors.

•

Attempt to acquire adjacent and nearby public lands, including but not
limited to State Trust Lands, where such acquisitions will enhance
opportunities for public recreation and/or facilitate resource conservation
and management.

•

Attempt to acquire certain adjacent and nearby private lands where such
acquisitions will enhance opportunities for public recreation and/or
facilitate resource conservation and management.

The following actions related to the acquisition of new land and the expansion of
the park are planned.
•

Monitor the status of in-holdings and enter into discussions with willing
sellers when appropriate.

•

Initiate discussions with the State Land Department related to the purchase
or long-term lease of the Trust Lands identified herein. (See Figure 13-A)

•

Actively pursue the phased acquisition of adjacent private lands as
identified herein. (See Figure 13-A)

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

13-1

TUCSON MOUNTAIN PARK
I-10

FIGURE 13-A
PARK EXPANSION

SANDARIO ROAD

LEGEND
Planned Acquisitions

3
2 4
5

SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK

SPEEDWAY BLVD.

1

Y

7

RO
AD

IN
MCC A

KI N
NE

6

LO OP

8
GATES PASS
ROAD

9
10

11 12 14 15 16
17
13
19
20
18
21 22 23

24

25

CITY OF
TUCSON

26

TUCSON MOUNTAIN PARK
NE
KIN
Y
ROA
D

SANDARIO ROAD

42

27

28

30
29
31

41

39
40

35 34

33

38
37

32

36

[

W

0

0.35

0.7

O
AJ

Acquisition
Number
Parcel Number
212-090-010
1
214-540-270
2
214-540-231
3
214-540-240
4
214-540-340
5
212-040-03J
6
212-110-190
7
212-100-02A
8
212-110-26B
9
212-110-270
10
212-110-28M
11
212-110-39C
12
212-110-39D
13
212-110-39E
14
212-110-400
15
212-110-470
16
212-110-46D
17
212-110-480
18
212-110-380
19
212-110-32B
20
212-110-32A
21
212-110-32C
22
212-110-340
23
116-080-090
24
116-080-08B
25
116-080-110
26
118-020-03A
27
118-020-040
28
118-033-340
29
118-033-390
30
119-281-510
31
119-351-870
32
119-320-05A
33
212-200-07A
34
212-200-060
35
211-380-25B
36
999-999-991
37
999-999-994
38
211-320-01B
39
211-320-01A
40
211-330-010
41
211-290-01A
42

Area
(acres)
9.1
9.8
20.3
10.0
10.2
61.0
20.6
18.0
15.9
4.0
3.7
3.4
3.4
3.3
9.9
9.6
5.3
8.1
10.0
5.5
3.2
3.4
11.7
92.5
5.8
18.5
80.7
117.2
20.2
15.7
119.4
42.1
59.0
5.9
2.8
443.8
7.9
10.9
144.7
359.0
320.7
482.9
TOTAL ACRES 2,609.0

Owner Name
MOSS
WIEWANDT
WIEWANDT
WIEWANDT
WIEWANDT
AZSTL
PAYNE
SNIDER
HILS
HILS
MANGELSDORF
LAWSON
CNN DEVELOPMENT
CNN DEVELOPMENT
GERSTEN
GERSTEN
LEONARD
DAVIS
SMIMAN LLC
DERBY
DERBY
DERBY
BOLSER
DOS PICOS
DOS PICOS
SHEPARD
TUCSON WEST
FRICK
FRICK
FRICK
FRICK
AZSTL
CAT. BOY SCOUTS
CAT. BOY SCOUTS
CAT. BOY SCOUTS
AZSTL

AZSTL
AZSTL
AZSTL
AZSTL

Y
HW

1.4 Miles

TUCSON MOUNTAIN PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN
Pima County Natural Resources. Parks, and Recreation Department
Prepared by McGann & Associates Landscape Architects and Planners
13-2

14. Park Administration and Staffing
14.1 Introduction:

The management of Tucson Mountain Park has historically been coordinated by
an on-site Park Manager with the support of both on-site and off-site personnel.
It is recommended that this basic approach be retained with some modifications.
The most significant change proposed is the addition of new Resource
Management Specialist positions. These new staff members will be responsible
for monitoring, maintaining, repairing, and restoring back-country areas, trail
corridors, and special habitat features within Tucson Mountain Park. The
construction of approximately 70 miles of trails by park users over the past
decade, without the consent of the Natural Resources, Parks, and Recreation
Department is evidence of the need for the new Resource Management Specialist
positions.
The need for additional staff is critical. With the employment of staff as
proposed, Tucson Mountain Park will have approximately one maintenance /
resource specialist for every 2,600 acres of park. By comparison the City of
Phoenix Parks Department has one maintenance staff person for every 1,137
acres of mountain park.

14.2 Park Staff
Organization
Chart:

Provided below is a chart outlining the organization of staff responsible for the
operation, management, and maintenance of Tucson Mountain Park.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

14-1

14. Park Administration and Staffing
14.3 Park Staff and
Responsibilities:

NATURAL RESOURCE SUPERINTENDENT (Off-Site)
Responsible for overall management of Tucson Mountain Park and other
mountain parks, natural resource parks, open-space, and ranch properties.
PARK MANAGER (On-Site)
Responsible for all day-to-day operations of the park. Supervises on-site
staff of Trades Maintenance Technicians, Resource Management
Specialists, and Volunteers. Coordinates with Environmental Education
Manager and Recreation Program / Shooting Sports Manager.
TRADES MAINTENANCE TECHNICIANS (4 Total - On-Site)
Responsible for the operation and maintenance of the park water system,
picnic areas, overlooks, trailheads, and campground. Assist with the
maintenance of shooting range facilities. Report to the Park Manager.
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS (4 Total - On-Site)
Responsible for monitoring user activities and site conditions along trail
corridors, in back-country areas, and in special habitat areas (such as
wildlife guzzlers, bat caves, etc.). Responsible for making as-needed
repairs to trails. Assist with periodic resource monitoring programs.
Report to Park Manager.
VOLUNTEERS (On-Site)
Consist of camp hosts, campground volunteers, and participants in other
volunteer programs. Assist with various maintenance, monitoring, and
non-native plant removal programs. Report to the Park Manager or
designee.
RECREATION PROGRAM MANAGER / SHOOTING SPORTS
COORDINATOR (Off-Site)
Responsible for operation, management, and maintenance of all facilities
at the Rifle / Pistol Range and at the Archery Range, exclusive of trash
removal. Coordinate all activities with the Park Manager.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM MANAGER (Off-Site)
Responsible for the development and presentation of all environmental
education and interpretive programs offered at Tucson Mountain Park.
Coordinates all park related activities with the Park Manager.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

14-2

14. Park Administration and Staffing
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AND PLANNING /
DESIGN PROJECT MANAGERS (Off-Site)
Assist with the planning and design of new and/or renovated public
facilities within the park. Coordinate as-needed with the Park Manager on
all Tucson Mountain Park projects.
TRADES SUPPORT GROUP (Off-Site)
Provide on and as-needed basis, trades personnel, specialized equipment,
and other resources needed to make major repairs to park facilities and
infrastructure improvements. Are temporarily assigned to the park at the
request of the Park Manager and coordinate all activities with the Park
Manager.
PIMA COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT - PARKS AND SEARCH-&RESCUE UNIT
Provide law enforcement within Tucson Mountain Park. Conduct regular
patrols as scheduled by the Sheriff’s Department. Respond to incidents as
requested by Natural Resources, Parks, and Recreation Department
personnel and/or the public.
DREXEL HEIGHTS FIRE DISTRICT, THREE-POINTS FIRE DISTRICT,
AND NORTHWEST FIRE DISTRICT
Respond to emergencies, vehicle and/or structure fires, and wildland fires
as-needed. Responses made individually or by multiple fire districts in
accordance with mutual aid protocols.
PIMA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND
TOURISM
Responsible for oversight of lease agreements between Pima County and
the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Old Tucson. Coordinates
activities with the Natural Resource Manager and the Park Manager.

Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan

14-3