Trail will connect to Prescott National Trail system and other communities in the Verde Valley
The Yavapai Community College Governing Board approved a non-funded participating agreement with the USDA forest Service Prescott National Forest at its April meeting. According to the material submitted, the need for additional non motorized trails and access was identified by the local communities in 2010.
Yavapai College submitted specific sustainable trail proposals including the creation of a non-motorized trail (hiking and biking) on land owned by Yavapai College that would connect to the Prescott National Forest trail system. The trail system would also create connectivity to other communities within the Verde Valley.
The proposal included Yavapai College building a trailhead to address existing trail and general forest area access deficiencies, resource impacts, and non-motorized trail connectivity .
The Forest Service believes that partnering with Yavapai College will facilitate cooperation between the parties in specific restoration , enhancement and protection efforts in the Verde Valley that will directly benefit the Middle Verde Watershed and River. The benefit will be realized through construction and maintenance of a hardened trailhead facility directly accessed from paved roads on Yavapai College Lands, thereby reducing soil displacement and maintenance on unsurfaced forest roads.
You may view Executive Dean James Perey’s explanation to the Governing Board at the April meeting below.
Furthermore the development of a sustainable non-motorized (hiking and biking) trail system connecting the Yavapai College property and the U.S. Forest Service lands will reduce current and future need for user developed trails that generally contribute to significant soil erosion and increased runoff.
The projects will primarily focus on the design, construction, and maintenance of recreation related facilities on Yavapai College managed lands including the trailhead , parking area and interpretive resources that would lead to promoting a landscape of sustainable recreation development that protects natural resources, promotes responsible use and provides safe and enjoyable recreation opportunities for a diverse public. Efforts may extend to assisting with the construction and maintenance of recreation related facilities of the Blowout Wash trail system.
The agreement is intended to lay the framework for Yavapai College and U.S. Forest Service to work collaboratively on numerous projects to protect, restore and enhance recreation opportunities. Examples include sharing resources to design trails to conform with U.S Forest Service standards on non-U.S. Forest Service trails, the sharing of interpretive information and experience and the construction and maintenance of trails and other related facilities through volunteers, College staff and students.