Maricopa Trail to Be Completed in 2015

Maricopa County has a lot to offer the outdoor enthusiast. There are 10 different parks that offer everything from hiking and walking to bicycling and horseback riding. Soon, these parks will all be connected by a network of trails known as the Maricopa Trail.

When it is completed in 2015, the Maricopa Trail will comprise 242 miles and connect 9 different parks and recreational areas together. These include:

• Buckeye Hills Regional Park (spur route)
• Cave Creek Regional Park
• Estrella Mountain Regional Park
• Lake Pleasant Regional Park
• McDowell Mountain Regional Park
• San Tan Mountain Regional Park (spur route)
• South Mountain Park
• Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area
• Usery Mountain Regional Park (spur route)
• White Tank Mountain Regional Park (spur route)

The idea for the Maricopa Trail began back in 1997 and was finally approved in 2004. For the past 10 years, progress has been slow but steady as the trails are built. In many places, the Maricopa Trail follows existing canal paths and other public use areas.

The project is expected to be finished in 2015.

I think the Maricopa Trail is a neat idea that will allow outdoor enthusiasts to explore everything that our county has to offer.