Landscaping, restroom facilities installed
The long-awaited trail-head located on the Verde Campus is moving ahead. (Recall interest and concern about the absence of a trail system on the Verde Campus was triggered when about a dozen years ago the Community College began investing in developing a major trail around the Prescott Campus.) Most recently (October 2019), the College reported that new landscaping and a rest room facility was under construction.
Recall that back in June 2017 Verde Campus Executive Dean Dr. James Perey first reported that the Verde Valley Campus in Clarkdale may establish a trail head for what was described as “the West Mingus Avenue trail.” At the time it was described as 22 miles of possibly 122 miles of new trails being proposed by the Prescott National Forest. If approved, the total project covering 122 miles was estimated to take from five to ten years to complete. This is according to Prescott National Forest Verde Ranger District Recreation Program Director Thomas Palmer. Much depended on funding and public input.
Initial public hearings were held May 24, 2017 (Camp Verde) and May 25. 2-17 (Verde Campus). There was an environmental assessment completed by the end of September 2017. A final public hearing on the 22-mile trail system connecting the trail to the Verde Campus property was held in February 2018. The project was approved.
The trail will be maintained by volunteers, according to the Forest Service.
In September 2018, Executive Dean Perey, updated the Governing Board on the progress being made on the project. He described it as a 200 mile trail system with the trail-head located on the Verde Campus.
Dean Perey told the Board that the new trail was currently being mapped and improved. He also told the Board that the trail had community and educational benefits. For example, community members can use the trail for exercise. Furthermore, the College can develop courses around it such as trail maintenance and a 2+2 natural resources program.
Source: Yavapai Community College Facilities Management Newsletter (including photo) https://www.yc.edu/v6/office-of-the-president/docs/highlights/2019-09-facilities-management-newsletter.pdf.
