Pima County is in the process of cstablishing a river park system along the banks of its major watercourses. The eventual goal is to develop up to 105 miles of linear river park along the Santa Cruz and Rillito Rivers and the Canada del Oro, Pantano, and Tanque Verde Washes. Thus far about 4 miles have been constructed.
The river park system is a component of a more grandiose trail design, the Eastern Pima County Trail System Master Plan. The latter plan intends to expand on the existing and planned river park system to connect with all major public lands in the area. Phase I of the plan designates a first priority network of 650 miles of trails, with linkages to public lands at more than 90 locations. Many of the proposed trails are to be along wash channels.
Certain topographical conditions in the Tucson area favor the construction of a linear river park, along with the proposed trail extension. Tucson is surrounded by higher relief mountain ranges that are relatively unreduced by pedimentation; i.e. the development of broad platforms at the base of mountains. Higher dissected surfaces are therefore evident in which streams or washes are entrenched. Washes are generally well defined and fan out into branching patterns. The resulting system of washes forms the natural trail routes of a river park.
Not all Arizona areas have such features. Phoenix, for example, is located in an area of low, rolling topography, with fairly shallow bedrock. As a result, water flows over a broad surface in wide spread sheets. Concrete drainageways are constructed to collect the water before flowing into urban areas. As a result, Phoenix, unlike Tucson, lacks a well defined radial drainage pattern or an extensive network of washes that could be developed.
Plans call for the Tucson area park to extend along the major river banks in a 50-foot-wide corridor. This is expected to be sufficient space for vegetation and planned trails. Along certain sections, however, development has occurred close to the edge of a wash, leaving, at times, only 10 to 20 feet for parkland. The county owns some of the needed land, with other land to be purchased. Purchasing access land is a major expense of the project. Project funds are obtained from flood control tax levy moncy.
The river park project purports to restore the natural integrity of degraded river banks. Major rivers in the area would be revitalized to serve as appealing community attractions featuring environmental and recreational amenities. As a swath of natural life to stand in relief to urban forms and structures, the river park design has been referred to as a greenway or greenbelt.
A major feature of the river park design is the multiple use trail system. Separated from vehicular traffic, the trails are for pedestrian, bicycle, and equestrian uses. Also, the park is to provide for various activities and features: equestrian staging areas, drinking fountains and troughs, playgrounds, exercise equipment, shady rest areas, horticultural displays, interpretive features, restrooms and maintenance areas.
And, of course, the river park is to be an area with predominantly native vegetation. Where no vegetation exists because of degradation and misuse, various plants appropriate to the Sonora desert will be cultivated. Existing vegetation is to be preserved. In areas where vegetation needs to be disturbed, the mature vegetation is to be transplanted whenever possible.
The river park will be mostly in areas where urbanization has disrupted, if not destroyed, whatever wildlife habitat had existed. To help improve the setting, the wildlife types and species most likely to populate the river park are being identified. Strategies to enhance the habitats appropriate to those types and species are being developed, with the expectation that the wildlife will return to the area.
By implementing certain flood control measures Pima County became obligated to develop the river park. Under section 404 of the Clean Water Act, the Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for all tributaries to the navigable Colorado River. Since Tucson's ephemeral washes are designated U.S. waterways, Pima County applies for a 404 permit when stabilizing banks for flood control. Part of the 404 permit process requires that river parks be installed as mitigation measures to compensate for disturbed natural conditions.
Flood control is therefore the priority, a fact demonstrated by the county agencies involved in the project. Pima County Department of Transportation and Flood Control is designing and developing the river park. Later the parks will be turned over to Pima County Parks and Recreation for maintenance.
Critical comments about the river park include concern that the project, representing a mitigation strategy, is, in effect, an effort to compensate for an environmental loss that should never have occurred in the first place. Also criticized is the attempt at revegetation along the river banks. It has been described as sparse and having a tended, artificial appearance, not entirely true to natural conditions. Doubts are also expressed that linear parks can be sites of habitat restoration. At the same time, however, the river park is seen to represent an emerging appreciation of a vital natural attraction in the area.
Indian Bend Wash
Whereas Tucson claims environmental preservation as a prime purpose of its river park endeavors, the Indian Bend Wash project maximizes the recreational possibilities of a developed urban wash. The dif&rent directions taken by the Indian Bend Wash planners reflect in many ways different community preferences and interests. At the same time, however, the project demonstrates that urban washes can be developed to serve varied and creative intents and purposes.
The Indian Bend Wash runs southward through Scottsdale and a section of Tempe before flowing into the Salt River. The wash drains part of the McDowell Mountains as well as some pediment areas north of Scottsdale before cutting through the center of town. When dry, the wash was considered an eyesore, for it contrasted with the development occurring nearby. When vigorously flowing, a fairly regular occurrence, the wash was a hazard and a danger splitting the community and threatening life and property. What to do? Obviously some sort of flood control project was called for.
The Army Corps of Engineers proposed the traditional solution: a concrete lined channel. The channel would be seven miles long, about 23 feet deep and 170 feet wide. The people of Scottsdale in turn rejected this proposal. Through an organized community effort, an alternate strategy was proposed. This consisted of creating a greenbelt with varied recreational opportunities. Instead of a stark, functional concrete ditch, a community resource of multiple and varied benefits would thus be created. An innovative approach at the time, the greenbelt concept was eventually accepted as the guiding principle of the flood control project.
More than just two options to solve a flood control problem, the proposed solutions—a concrete ditch and a greenbelt—represented vastly different perspectives on urban design and development. That Scottsdale is a city with a relatively affluent and committed citizenry was no small matter in settling the affair to its satisfaction. The greenbelt was thus created.
Indian Bend Wash is a flood control project with built-in recreational facilities. Among the plethora of recreational opportunities are 300 acres of city parks, golf courses, swimming pools and fishing and boat lakes. Activities range from jogging to horseshoes to paddleboats. All facilities and equipment are designed for flood control. For example, tennis court fences break away and float with flood waters to return to normal positions when flooding subsides. Small lakes, which recharge groundwater, are designed and placed to slow rushing flood waters.
Basic to the park's development and operation were the expected economic benefits to Scottsdale. In fact, without the promise of economic gain, the project would unlikely be in its present form. And, as planned, the project has worked out to be an economic asset to the city. Because of its attractions, the Indian Bend Wash area is lined with high-cost, luxury apartments and condominiums. Also, businesses in proximity to the project greatly benefit. This growth and development are obviously to the advantage of the city's tax base.
Some critics express concern, however, that environmental uses are not adequately provided for, despite the much lauded multiple uses of the project. The natural conditions of the wash are said to be little evident, covered over by grass and recreational areas. Further, the project is criticized as a water consuming greenbelt. Some critics are thus prompted to note that a desert greenbelt is in fact a contradiction in terms. In sum, various critics believe that environmental values got stighted in the project's commitment to other priorities.
To some extent the Indian Bend Wash endeavor stands as a model for the Tempe Rio Salado project. Developers of the Tempe project claim that the Rio Salado project will do for their city what the Indian Bend Wash did for Scottsdale. There are, however, significant differences between the two projects.
Plans for the Rio Salado project, which will develop land along the Salt River in Tempe, call for certain environmental featwes. Native vegetation and low-water use plant species are to be used. The project also proposes to create wildlife habitats and riparian landscape areas.
Flagstaff and Prescott Begin Efforts
Smaller urban centers of Arizona are also beginning efforts to reclaim the natural conditions of their creeks and washes disturbed by development and urbanization. Two such cities are Flagstaff and Prescott. The emergence of these efforts in such areas demonstrates an important fact; i.e., the adverse effects of urbanization are not confined to major centers such as Phoenix and Tucson. Further, the concern apparent in these cities demonstrates that sensitivity to the urban wash issue and the need to take action is evident in small urban areas as wetl as large population centers.
Flagstaff is located along the Rio de Flag, a river fed by ephemeral streams. Because of urbanization many of Flagstaff's streams and washes are severely degraded. For example, watercourses have been filled in, and the watertable has dropped in some areas resulting in the drying up of streams.
Flagstaff citizens have recently approved the sate of bonds for a reclaimed water treatment plant. The plant is to process wastewater and produce 3 mittion gatlons of reclaimed water per day. Uses for the reclaimed water are presently being decided, with apptication on cemeteries and other grasslands expected.
The Northern Arizona Riparian Council (NARC) views the eventual operations of the treatment plant as providing an opportunity to reclaim riparian areas lost because of urbanization. The council is proposing that reclaimed water be released in areas where it would revive and benefit riparian habitats.
NARC's plan of action involves identifying locations where riparian communities previously existed. Studies would then be conducted to determine what the characteristics of these communities were. Finally, how such areas would benefit from a renewed flow of water would be ascertained.
NARC recently made an initiat presentation before the Flagstaff City Council. It has been invited to provide further input during city council work sessions.
Activities to protect watercourses are also beginning in Prescott, a city with fairly abundant riparian areas. As defined by an involved citizen's group, the concern in Prescott is to preserve present stream conditions from the adverse affects of grazing and urban activities. The damages to Prescott watercourses are not considered to be as severe as in other areas of the state.
The quatity of stream flow through Prescott is affected by situations both outside and within the city. Located in the headwaters above town, most of the riparian areas in the Prescott Nationat Forest are tisted as either in poor or fair condition by the U.S. Forest Service. Some people believe this situation is mostly the result of over grazing. Also, concern has been expressed that zoning in Prescott is not effective for protecting naturat stream conditions. A further concern is that sewer tines are laid in streambeds. This results at times in inflow that overloads the system causing flooding. Leakage into streambeds has also resulted.
A recent Prescott general management plan recognized the importance of preserving the condition and quality of stream and riparian areas in Prescott. The document however was criticized as being too general and therefore ineffective as a policy guide.
The conservation committee of the Prescott Audubon Society is working to develop a proposal advocating the protection of creeks and washes within city timits. The proposat is to be submitted to the city and provide specific recommendations, including suggested zoning changes. It is hoped that the proposat will attract general public support and provide the incentive to pass appropriate legislation.
Also, a linear trail system along Prescott creeks is being planned and developed. The intent is to create a trail to link the city with the national forest. At the same time the trails are to encourage pubtic appreciation of the city's riparian areas.
Conclusion
The issue of preserving and reclaiming urban wash lands is not one to be resolved along an urban-vs.-nature dichotomy, with advocates lined up on each side. Instead, the urban wash issue has the potential to demonstrate that, in the best of urban environments, the developed and natural can be complementary, each contributing to an attractive, safe, and creative human setting. In a broad sense, the issue has to do with designing an urban environment that is not inhospitable to natural and environmental features.
The quest then is not to return washes to their original natural conditions. Even to identify such conditions would be difficult, since modifications resulted from Indian, Spanish and U.S. occupation and use of the land. Watercourses have experienced too much degradation and abuse, especially during the last few years, to be fully reclaimed to original conditions.
The goal, therefore, is to restore the habitat to conditions that are compatible with the situation at present. Urban washes will need to serve urban and natural needs; in other words, multiple uses. These include wildlife conservation, flood control, groundwater recharge, scenic beauty, and recreation.
Arroyo. Publication of the University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center : Tucson, Arizona. V5 N2. June 1991.
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