Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting April 10, 2006 Thunderbird Conservation Park Update

Action Plan Update Completed meetings with various school representatives. City staff met with Arrowhead Lakes HOA and Arrowhead Amenities representatives, residents and Arizona Game and Fish representative at the sedimentation area on April 1, Completed study of sediment in the lake. Met on-site with ACE trail maintenance representative to review trail system.

Approach to Conceptual Changes Considered studies and surveys conducted prior to September Utilized additional public input and park information collected from September 2005 to date. Tonights discussion includes proposed conceptual changes utilizing existing park conditions as the benchmark. Ask for Commissions direction to proceed with changes to the preliminary master plan.

General Proposed Improvements to Thunderbird Conservation Park Provide consistent maintenance and design standards to all park trails, trailheads, trail nodes,signage, trash cans, ramadas, picnic tables, drinking fountains, equestrian hitching posts and troughs, restrooms, parking, lighting. Determine surfacing and marking standards for parking lots and roads (paved and unpaved). If not identified already, mark park property boundary along entire perimeter. Provide mileage indicators for all trails. Identify standards and procedures for park special uses and requests. Develop community education outreach program regarding park wildlife, vegetation, geology, and other natural areas in the park.

Proposed Conceptual Changes to the Master Plan 55 th and Pinnacle Peak Area Main park entrance located at 55 th and Pinnacle Peak traffic light Provide for secondary entrance east of the parking lot to allow for loop access for emergency vehicles Keep existing parking lot ( 68 parking spaces) and extend parking to west and east adjacent to Pinnacle Peak Road – number of spaces to be determined Provide for 2 linear parking spaces for buses Upgrade and extend existing accessible trail and include interpretive signage along the trail Add shaded seating benches along accessible/interpretive trail Upgrade existing trailhead at west end of parking lot, add restroom and drinking fountain Add up to 5 single-use ramadas on south side of parking lot Provide for outdoor shaded interpretive area that accommodates persons – 2 location options

Proposed Conceptual Changes to the Master Plan 55 th and Pinnacle Peak Area (Continued) Keep and upgrade 2 existing single-use ramadas located west of traffic light along H-1 trail Restore native vegetation in areas affected by fire Provide for 2 natural water guzzlers at the southeast wildlife habitat area Options: Future parking spaces and one-single use ramada Consider option for maintenance storage area on east end of property Consider extending a current undesignated trail that leads to viewpoint located on east side of the park and overlooks valley east of the park Seating benches and signage at top of H-2 Trail to identify mountains and foothill areas

Proposed Conceptual Changes to the Master Plan Sedimentation Basin Area Improve existing H-1 Trail that leads from 51 st Avenue to 55 th and Pinnacle Peak Avenue to meet state and federal trail standards Provide for interpretive signage along the trail located north of the sedimentation lake Address vegetation restoration in the sedimentation lake area

Proposed Conceptual Changes to the Master Plan 59 th Avenue & Amphitheater Area Keep the following parking lots A, B, C, D, E, H, J, Viewing Blinds Total parking spaces: 145 Remove following parking lots: F, G Total loss of parking spaces: (38) Provide for 2 linear parking spaces for buses at parking lot E Add trailhead and information kiosk to south end of Parking Lot B Expand Parking Lot B and add parking for Ranger/Information facility Add Ranger/Information facility that includes restroom & drinking fountain (propose 2 different location options)

Proposed Conceptual Changes to the Master Plan 59 th Avenue & Amphitheater Area Remove restrooms (3) and ramadas (7) out of the wash Add 1 large group ramada, restroom with drinking fountain and 2 single-use ramadas at base of amphitheatre area Add 1 single-use ramada near existing ramada #1 Renovate existing amphitheater for interpretive learning & other park activities

Proposed Conceptual Changes to the Master Plan 67 th Avenue Park Entrance Area Identify undesignated trail located along the north border fence line as a designated trail Move the gate located on the west end of road located between 67 th Avenue parking lot (K) and Parking Lot J to east road entrance to Parking Lot J Keep Parking Lot K: 20 parking spaces Provide for equestrian corral to south of Parking Lot K: Upgrade existing trail head at Parking Lot K: Information kiosk; add restroom & drinking fountain Provide a trail node at the entrance to the H-1 Trail

Proposed Conceptual Changes to the Master Plan 67 th Avenue Park Entrance Area Keep Parking Lot J as paved and lined parking area: 39 parking spaces Improve roadway to allow for 2-way traffic and install sewer line that leads to restroom at Parking lot J Add up to 3 single-use ramadas at Parking Lot J area; 2 currently exist at this location Provide new trailhead and information kiosk at Parking Lot J Upgrade or replace existing restroom at Parking Lot J, provide for drinking fountain Repair or replace restroom located at H Parking Lot and keep/upgrade 3 ramadas Provide for vegetation screening on perimeter of water tank area

Timeline for Public Meetings to Review Changes to the Master Plan Wednesday, April 26, :30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Deer Valley High School Cafeteria Saturday, April 29, a.m.– 11a.m. Deer Valley High School Cafeteria