As the new year begins, so will repairs for trails at the Santa Cruz and Rillito River parks.
Starting today, the Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation department will be resurfacing asphalt paths in the parks, requiring some trail closures, according to a county news release. The work will run through April.
The last time both parks had any major repairs was in 2001, said Sherrie Barfield, an assistant operations maintenance manager for the parks department.
Since then, there has been patch-up work done in areas needing immediate repairs, but nothing major.
The project will cost about $500,000 said Nancy Cole, a project manager with the county's parks department.
The money will come from the county's supplemental funds, which are used for special requests, she said.
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While sections of the north bank trail along the Rillito River will close for varying periods, the south bank trail will remain open as an alternative route.
Replacement of the drainage system on the asphalt will begin at the west end of the park at the Union Pacific railroad line and move east to the area between First and Campbell avenues.
Bicyclists should consider River Road as an alternative route.
On StarNet: Read about many of Southern Arizona's hiking trails at azstarnet.com/hiking
More online
Check out the Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation website at www.pima.gov/nrpr for the most recently updated schedule.
Repairs at Rillito River Park
• First to Campbell Avenue, north bank, including bridge: Jan. 4-Jan. 28.
• Railroad to Camino de la Tierra, south bank: Feb. 7-11.
• Camino de la Tierra to La Cholla Boulevard, south bank: Feb. 7-11.
• La Cholla to La Cañada Drive, north bank: Feb. 14-18.
• La Cañada to Oracle, north bank: Feb. 21-25.
• Oracle to Stone Avenue, north bank: Feb. 21-25.
• Stone to First Avenue, north bank: Feb. 28-March 11.
• Campbell to Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, north bank: March 14-April. 1.
• Campbell to Dodge Boulevard, south to north bank: March 14-April 1.
• Dodge at Alvernon Way, north bank: April 4-15.
• Alvernon to Swan Road, north bank: April 4-15.
• Swan to Craycroft Road, north bank: April 4-15.
• Dodge to Swan, south bank: April 18-22.
work at Santa Cruz River Park
• Irvington Road to Ajo Way, west bank: Jan. 3-7.
• Irvington to Ajo, east bank: Jan. 10-14.
• St. Mary's Road to Speedway, west bank: Jan. 17-28.
• Speedway to Grant Road, west bank: Jan. 17-28.
• Grant to Fort Lowell Road, west bank: Jan. 17-28.
• Speedway to Grant, east bank: Jan. 31-Feb. 4.
• Grant to Partial Development, east bank: Jan. 31-Feb. 4.
