The Coconino County Board of Supervisors has approved a multiphase master plan for the development of Fort Tuthill County Park.
Consultants GlobaLocal Vision and Wheat, a J2 Design Studio, spent 11 months developing the plan with input and recommendations from County Parks and Recreation staff, the Coconino County Parks and Recreation Commission, the Board of Supervisors, members of the public and other stakeholders. According to the April 22 presentation, at least 702 people participated in the process.
The consultants also studied ongoing trends in parks and recreation in assembling the plan for the 633-acre site south of Flagstaff.
The four-phase plan has a total estimated cost of nearly $45M broken out as:
- Phase I: $7.8M;
- Phase II: +/-$15M;
- Phase III: $12.2M, and
- Phase IV: +/-10M.
Suggestions for park features and amenities were extensive. First and foremost was preservation and improved access to natural features and trail systems. Sought-after features include pickleball courts and a redesigned equestrian area and racetrack.
Functional components include upgrading existing buildings and infrastructure, adding more bathrooms and ramadas, creating a new central plaza, and adding a new kiosk and a multiuse building.
Phase I features a traffic study, a transit and drop-off area, pickleball courts and a new restroom for the “Heart of the Park” area to be built in Phase II.
Phase II also includes a new promenade, realigning Soldiers Trail, multiuse pathways and a welcome kiosk.
Phase III would provide improvements to the equestrian complex and northern entrance, as well as renovations to the quad building.
The multi-use building for 4-H would be the main component of Phase IV.
The plan calls for pursuing public-private partnerships to provide sponsorship and management for park operations, like food and beverage service and the planned pickleball courts.
There is currently no funding in place, and no specific timelines or schedules have been set. The Board was told the plan is a guideline, not an obligation, that will provide direction and structure when and if the project moves forward. (Source)
