Why It's Important to Preserve Land Along the Scenic Drive

The City of Scottsdale has targeted two 620 acre sections of State Trust land west of Pima Road for inclusion in the Preserve. The balance of the more than 34,000 acres are east of Pima Road. If sold for development by the State Land Department, this land will generate significant revenues for Trust beneficiaries and sales tax dollars for the City of Scottsdale. Why should these parcels be preserved?

#1. These open space parcels include dense populations of Saguaro and other native Sonoran plants.

#2. These open space parcels provide habitat and trails for Sonoran wildlife including birds, coyotes and javalinas. Development has forced many critters off land to the south and north. 

#3. These parcels provide a natural link and an access point to the Preserve from Scottsdale Road. The preserve is intended for all the people of the entire region  and access from convenient points is important. The power line corridor that passes through these parcels has already been disturbed and can be used for hiking and other forms of allowed recreation. 

#4. These parcels provide a link between the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive and the Scottsdale Road Scenic Corridor. The Scenic Drive was established in 1963 and is an important part of the area's heritage. Residents have labored to preserve this land for more than 3 decades.

#5. Many tourists enjoy the Scenic Drive. Tour busses have stopped at the Monument area for decades and tourists have enjoyed a convenient walk in the open desert.  Most of Scottsdale's scenic roadways have been diminished by development. 

#6. Most of the land south of Happy Valley Road has already been lost to commercial development. The State Trust land on the east side of is the only remaining parcel in the City of Scottsdale that can be preserved.

#7. These parcels include a link between the bulk of Preserve land and open space in Phoenix.

#8. These parcels provide a buffer between heavy commercial development that has and will take place south of Happy Valley Road, and the primarily residential areas north of Jomax Road. 

#9. Preserving this land could motivate the City of Phoenix to preserve the parcels on the west side of Scottsdale Road, including MacDonald's Ranch.