An Early ¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

Please Join Friends of Tucson’s Birthplace

at a fiesta to celebrate the planting of

MISSION GARDEN

Wednesday, December 29th

5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

at the beautiful, new Mercado San Agustín

100 South Avenida del Convento

(Corner of Congress Street, 3 blocks west of I-10)

Tucson, AZ 85745

Botanas Mexicanas, Margaritas, Champurro, Horchata

Traditional Music, Silent Auction of Rare Tequilas and Mexican Tequila Crafts & more

$15 donation with a reservation

$20 at the door

Reservations at GAlvill1@mac.com or (520) 400-5437

http://www.tucsonsbirthplace.org/

(Dress warmly and drink responsibly!)

About the Friends of Tucson’s Birthplace:

We are a group of Tucson residents committed to re-create and authentically present the historic structures and landscapes to the regional community and visitors in the area known as Tucson’s Birthplace. To that end we have formed an organization to insure the completion of the Tucson Origins Heritage Park.

Our mission is to preserve, honor, protect, restore and promote the cultural heritage of Tucson’s Birthplace at the foot of Sentinel Peak (‘A’ Mountain).

To accomplish this our organization partners with like minded groups locally, regionally, nationally and internationally in order to inform Tucsonans and visitors of this rich, unique cultural treasure.

Our first focus is to complete the Mission Garden, a project begun under voter approved public funds and to be completed in a public private partnership with Friends of Tucson’s Birthplace.

Our goals include not just the construction and planting of the garden, but also its successful operation and maintenance. This will be accomplished through the enlisting and training of volunteers and funded through donations and grants.

Councilmember Regina Romero would also like to invite the public to a volunteer day on Saturday May 1 on Sentinel Peak Park/”A” Mountain. The event will be a bufflegrass removal/trail building project with the Southwest Conservation Corps youth. Just show up at 9 a.m. (to 12 noon) at the parking lot on top of “A” Mountain. Please RSVP first to Jean Hickman, Community Outreach Coordinator of the Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) at 520-884-5550, 8 # (Sonoran Desert Office). SCC is a non-profit organization with regional offices in Durango and Salida, Colorado and Tucson that “employs and trains a diverse group of young women and men” and “completes conservation work on public lands.” Bottled water will be provided.

From Mac Hudson, aide to Councilmember Romero:

“We understand that you may have concerns that have come about via an
erroneous email about plans to close down “A” Mountain. This is not true.
Please feel free to call me (Mac) at 520-837-4262 and discuss the improvements
once you’ve had a chance to see them for yourself.

Councilor Romero is very excited about ongoing improvements to Sentinel
Peak Park and “A” Mountain. A community led and public process over the
past few years has created a phase 1 plan for Sentinel Peak Park to
increase safe access and promote nature, culture and history.

It is important to note that under phase 1 there will still be parking
on the east overlook near the “A”. The plans are to have both a pedestrian
area with benches and shade and parking spaces near the “A”.

Phase 1 Improvements include:

Wheelchair Accessible Pathway from top parking lot to East Overlook
(under the “A”)
● Path will be 8′ wide stabilized decomposed granite with
accessible grades
● Two overlook rest areas with seating are included

East Overlook
● Guardrail at existing retaining wall

● Post & Cable Pedestrian Safety Barrier
● Benches (3)
● (2) Crosswalks, painted
● Speed table
● Vehicular signage
● New pavement striping

Shade Structure
● Located near existing parking lot at beginning of new park
pathway

Landscape Improvements
● Passive water harvesting, seeding and buffelgrass removal plan

Interpretative Signage
● Quantity dependent on cost”

For further info or concerns, call the Ward 1 Council Office at 520-791-4040, Council administrative assistant Mac Hudson at 520-837-4262, or read the SENTINEL PEAK REGIONAL NATURAL RESOURCE PARK MASTER PLAN REPORT dated June 2009 here:

http://www.tucsonaz.gov/pdf/sppp09.pdf

See you on top of the mountain!