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Phoenix- Every five years, the staff at Arizona State Parks prepares an information-filled report concerning plans for Arizona’s motorized and non-motorized trails and their users. “This plan includes recommendations and action strategies to protect and enhance trails throughout the state including those in local city, county and state parks, as well as those on National Forest, National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management lands,” said Sue Black, Executive Director.
According to the data, the most common non-motorized pursuits are trail hiking, backpacking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The most common motorized pursuits are quad or all-terrain vehicle driving, four-wheel driving and motorized trail biking/dirt biking. Some of the top trail issues identified for motorized and non-motorized users were litter and trash dumping, closure of trails and keeping trails in good condition. The recommendations listed in the plan are being used to develop grant-rating criteria and distribute monies from the Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Fund and the Federal Recreational Trails Program through Arizona State Parks.
The plan was based on a yearlong Arizona public involvement effort. Data was obtained from over 6,500 surveys. Responses to the surveys provided a variety of information, including which types of motorized or non-motorized trails are used, how often trails are used, important issues impacting use of motorized and non-motorized trails, user preferences and how land managers should improve trail experiences. The plan offers a variety of information that trail users, land managers and trail advocacy organizations can implement in order to protect and improve Arizona’s thousands of miles of motorized and non-motorized trails.
The final Arizona State Parks Board approved trails plan is now available for download at AZStateParks.com/trails. For more information call (602) 542-4174 or visit AZStateParks.com/trails.
For information about all 28 Arizona State Parks, trails, the Off-Highway Vehicle Program, available grants, and the State Historic Preservation Office call (602) 542-4174 or visit AZStateParks.com. Campsite reservations can be made online at AZStateParks.com or by calling the Reservation Call Center at (520) 586-2283. Open 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST. Follow AZStateParks on Twitter and Facebook.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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