The latest addition to The Maricopa Trail
Trailhead: Spear S Ranch Trailhead, 41799 N. New River Road
Length: 3.5 miles
Map: maricopa.gov/parks/MaricopaTrail/default.aspx
Contact: Chris Coover, trail manager, 602-506-8719
Spear Ranch Trailhead
Trail description: The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors came up with the initial idea for the regional trail system. In February 2000, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors (BOS) formed the Maricopa County Trail Commission and unveiled their plans to develop a Regional Trail System. The trail system plan was compiled in three stages over a period of nearly five years. On August 16, 2004, the BOS adopted the Maricopa County Regional Trail System Plan. The Maricopa Trail has three goals: to provide a shared use, non-motorized trail system to connect the Maricopa County Regional Parks together; to link metropolitan areas, municipal trails, communities and neighborhoods with regional non-motorized multi-modal corridors; and to provide open space corridors to protect natural and cultural resources from development. The Maricopa Trail has recreational, environmental and economic impacts. It provides opportunities in the fields of sports, recreation, health and education, as well as economic development by increasing property values and enhancing tourism. The Maricopa Trail is designed and constructed to national guidelines. Depending upon the terrain of the trail, it may accommodate runners, walkers, cyclists, inline skaters and equestrians, and is accessible to all ages. On April 9, 2011, a dedication to celebrate opening of the Spear S Trailhead was held. The Spear S Ranch Trailhead added approximately 3.5 miles to the trail system, a loop that connects the region’s parks. (When complete, the trail is estimated to be 320 miles. Completion is set for 2016.) The Spear S Ranch portion of the trail is open to all non-motorized travel. “Not only will this segment of the trail allow residents to travel back in time, it also brings them closer to the native wildlife found in the area,” stated Maricopa County Supervisor Andy Kunasek, District 3. “The area is rich with wildlife so you never know when a mule deer might be observing you from the brush. If you look up, you might even catch a red-tailed hawk soaring overhead.”