The Arizona Trail - a grand, scenic route snaking 817 miles from Mexico to Utah - will get some major makeover work, thanks to a $50,000 grant.
The grant was awarded to the Arizona Trail Association this week by the Redwood Creek Wines Greater Outdoors Project. Association leaders said the group triumphed over nine other project finalists in a nationwide online vote.
"This money will really help improve the trail - bringing it closer to the world-class recreation opportunity it can be for all Arizonans and visitors," said Terri Gay, an association spokeswoman in Tucson.
Gay, who has trekked the entire trail route, said the funding paves the way for building an 11-mile stretch of trail north of Oracle to replace a segment that now follows a rocky, eroded road.
"We expect to start work there in November," Gay said.
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The Arizona Trail includes segments in the Santa Rita, Rincon and Catalina mountains near Tucson.
Redwood Creek started the Greater Outdoors Project grant program in 2008. The company "relies on the outdoors and our natural environment to nurture our grapes and produce richly flavored wines that enhance outdoor experiences," Sean Hails, the company's winemaker, said in a news release. "These experiences would never be possible without organizations like the Arizona Trail Association, whose members and supporters are so dedicated to the protection and improvement of our natural sanctuaries."
Contact reporter Doug Kreutz at dkreutz@azstarnet.com or at 573-4192.
