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Separate trails for the wealthy ?

 
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azrocks





Joined: 14 Jan 2003
Posts: 19

PostPosted: 1/24/2003, 10:02 am    Post subject: Separate trails for the wealthy ? Reply to topic Reply with quote

The City of Scottsdale has been developing a Trails Master Plan for an integrated
trail system throughout Scottsdale, linking to the McDowells.

A homeowners group near Pinnacle Peak and Church at the northwest corner of
the McDowell Mtns has been very vocal at planning meetings in pressing for
exclusive access to a trail that passes through their neighborhood. These very
wealthy people don't want to encounter the riffraff on their hikes.

This would set an undesirable precedent, and although the City staff would prefer
an integrated trail system, they may accede if they hear no opposing viewpoint.

Please try to attend the meeting of the Parks and Recreation Committee on
February 5th. While no public comments will be taken at that Study session
the homeowners will be there. A vote will be taken on February 19th.

Before February 5th, please express your views to the following people.
Be polite and positive, thanking these hard-working officials for the excellent
work they have done in support of recreation, and expressing hope that they will
stand firm in the face of requests for segregation. Remember that these people
are our friends.

Ruth Johnson, Staff Coordinator for Parks and Recreation
- send all emails to the Parks Commission to her with a request
to distribute to the commissioners.
ruthjohnson@scottsdaleaz.gov

To contact all of the City Council members at once :
citycouncil@scottsdaleaz.gov

Mary Manross, Mayor
mmanross@scottsdaleaz.gov

Scott Hamilton, Trails Coordinator
shamilton@scottsdaleaz.gov

Jan Dolan, City Manager
jdolan@scottsdaleaz.gov

Further details can be obtained from:
Erik Filsinger
smorefil@aol.com
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Shawn
I'll sell you map to Lost Dutchman mine!




Joined: 03 Jan 2003
Posts: 2592
Location: Ahwatukee, AZ

PostPosted: 1/24/2003, 10:17 am    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Hey, I might be the riff raff they are referring too.
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CatValet
Got Gear?




Joined: 04 Jan 2003
Posts: 735
Location: Scottsdale

PostPosted: 1/24/2003, 1:56 pm    Post subject: "Wealthy" rebuttal Reply to topic Reply with quote

It might be interesting to contact the homeowners association for the subdivision in question, or the Coalition of Pinnacle Peak (COPP), or both.

It might be that the residents' concerns are more directed to Trailhead parking in front of their homes or the relationship of the approach trail layout to the rear of their properties than to the concept of public access. Anyone who has ever tried to find a parking place near the Echo Canyon trailhead area at Camelback can imagine what it must be like when you live on that cul-de-sac and try to have friends over and find a place for them to park-or for the residents to park, for that matter.

The relationship between walled or fenced private backyards and linear open space or greenbelt access has been a contentious one in communities across America, not just near mountains. Proximity to parks, preserves and open spaces typically assures higher land values, and more expensive homes. More expensive homes usually have more and better stuff to steal than less expensive homes. People with more stuff have more fears about burglary than people with less stuff, it's that simple. Plus, many of those people may be seasonal residents, or have the wherewithal to be gone for extended times, which also increases their security concerns (e.g., the "Rock Burglar" in Paradise Valley).

Burglars love rear access from open spaces. This is one reason (along with land economics, underground utilities, and modern refuse collection) that rear alleys are rarely found in newer neighborhoods. A trail can function as a rear alleyway for a burglar. If people would keep their fingers off what ain't theirs (or if burglars simply had their hands cut off when caught), these fears might diminish.

Also, we all remember the arsonist who burned homes adjacent to the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. I don't think any of us would relish being the owner of a $500k lot we could not buy fire insurance on, after the fact, due to excessive risk factors. This happened to one family whose under-construction home was torched not once, but twice.

In my career as an urban planner, I've found that about 80% of objections to public access are the result of poor layout and design, and only about 20% or less due to crabby obstinate homeowners. If the specific issues which led to the objections can be discovered, often a better design can result in a win-win for both groups. -Randy
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maryphyl
Grand Canyon Enchantress




Joined: 04 Jan 2003
Posts: 669
Location: Flagstaff

PostPosted: 1/24/2003, 5:47 pm    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

I like your way of thinking Randy. Mary
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Guest








PostPosted: 1/24/2003, 6:04 pm    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Randy is A Genius! We look forward to reading his comments!

j&s
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Shawn
I'll sell you map to Lost Dutchman mine!




Joined: 03 Jan 2003
Posts: 2592
Location: Ahwatukee, AZ

PostPosted: 1/24/2003, 6:22 pm    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Very insightful Randy, I'm impressed. You should offer to mediate . . .. For a whomping fee, of course.

We have an access issue going on over in NM over some land we (you, me, all US citizens) bought. I'm not sure what all the issues are on the other side, but your post offers some insight.
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tracker





Joined: 08 Jan 2003
Posts: 28
Location: Gilbert AZ

PostPosted: 1/24/2003, 8:03 pm    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

sredfield wrote:
Hey, I might be the riff raff they are referring too.


I resemble that remark :lol:
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AZW2
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PostPosted: 1/25/2003, 3:01 am    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Maybe the rich people could hire some real security for their rear flank. Razz
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plummer150





Joined: 04 Jan 2003
Posts: 542
Location: Jersey City, New Jersey

PostPosted: 1/29/2003, 10:22 pm    Post subject: re: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Hmmm...I dunno, I'd like to see the trails go up myself. Get some new trails under my belt.
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