Pima County and the City of Tucson invite the public to two open houses for an update on the progress of The Loop.

The Loop is 55 miles of car-free paths being developed around metropolitan Tucson for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians.  The Loop will link the Rillito, Santa Cruz and Pantano river parks with greenways along the Julian Wash and Harrison Road.

The open houses will provide updates on the Julian Wash and Harrison Greenway seg-ments and answer any questions the public may have.  Project displays will be at each open house for review, and the project team will make a short presentation at 6:15 p.m.

The open houses are:

• 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, at Desert Sky Middle School, 9850 E. Rankin Loop, west of the intersection of Rita Road and Houghton Road.
• 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, at Thomas Jay Regional Park Recreation Center, 6465 S. Craycroft Road.

For more information about The Loop, please visit www.pima.gov/TheLoop.

Individuals with disabilities who require accommodations for effective participation and communication in the meeting may call Julie C. Simon at (520) 740-6410 by April 20 for the April 25 meeting or by April 27 for the May 2 meeting to make appropriate arrangements.

Pima County is proud to be a sponsor of Cyclovia Tucson, an annual free and “car-free event that opens selected streets to people so that they can walk, skate, run, bicycle, and socialize with their neighbors.”

This year’s event, on Sunday, March 18, will close to cars – and bring a variety of activities to – most of South Fourth and South Eighth avenues between downtown and Interstate 10.

Pima County has committed $15,000 a year for the next three years to Cyclovia Tucson.  It has also arranged a safe route for cyclists to Cyclovia from The Loop, 55 miles of off-street bike and pedestrian paths being developed around metropolitan Tucson.

“Pima County is committed to improving the quality of life for the entire community through our continued investment in recreational programs for all ages,” Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry said.

“Development of The Loop is one such investment.  The community feedback has prompted us to expand our wellness offerings to include bicycle training, sponsored rides and other bicycle-related activities.  The more healthy activities the region provides, the better.”

Emily Yetman, 2012 Event Coordinator for Cyclovia Tucson and President of the local nonprofit, Living Streets Alliance, welcomed the County’s support.

“The County has been a leader in promoting health and wellness in the region,” Yetman said, “and we see this as a great partnership since Cyclovia Tucson is all about getting people out to get exercise, have fun, discover more about our community, and give ‘people-powered’ transportation a try.  We’re thrilled!”

The County’s financial support will come from the Pima County Bicycling and Pedestrian Program.

Cyclists on The Loop will be able to ride to Cyclovia via the bike and pedestrian path on the east side of the Santa Cruz River Park through Verdugo Park at West 19th Street and onto West 18th Street to South Eighth Avenue (see map below).  Guided rides to the event from various parts of the Tucson area are also being organized.

Pima County’s programs and services – including its educational, sustainability and environmental efforts; The Loop; and the Pima County Public Library and Health Department – will be highlighted at Santa Rita Park, South Fourth Avenue and East 22nd Street.

For more information about Cyclovia Tucson, visit www.cycloviatucson.org.

For more information about the following Pima County programs, check out the following links:

Bicycle and Pedestrian Program, including free bicycle safety classes, http://bikeped.pima.gov.

The Loop,  www.pima.gov/TheLoop

New Loop video, www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3Etsx13J3M

Public Library,  www.library.pima.gov

Health Department,  www.pimahealth.org

Sustainability efforts,  www.pima.gov/Sustainability/

Environmental programs,  www.deq.pima.gov

Las Artes GED program,  www.pima.gov/CED/CR/LasArtes.html

Buffelgrass eradication efforts,  www.pima.gov/nrpr/eeduc/volunteers/sdweedwackers

Pima County residents and visitors are a big step closer to being able to walk, ride or run on the south bank of the Rillito from the Santa Cruz River Park path all the way to Craycroft Road now that pathways between First and Campbell avenues are nearly completed.

The pathways are now open for public use, but ongoing finish work is being completed and pathway users are asked to use caution.

The pathways consist of an 8- to 11-foot-wide paved path and a parallel 3- to 8-foot-wide decomposed granite “soft” path.  Wherever possible, the paths also have shade landscaping.

As part of the Rillito River Park, the newly completed segments are also a part of The Loop, 55 miles of car-free paths being developed around metropolitan Tucson for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians.  The Loop will link the Rillito, Santa Cruz and Pantano river parks with greenways along the Julian Wash and Harrison Road.

The new segments make it easier for residents of homes and apartment complexes on the south side of the Rillito to walk or ride to workplaces and shops near Campbell Avenue, the farmers market on Sundays at St. Philip’s Plaza, and other nearby locations.

They also provide a new car-free Safe Routes to School path for students and their families going to Rio Vista Elementary School at Mountain and Prospect Lane, and to other schools located near the Rillito path.

Elsewhere on the south bank of the Rillito, pedestrians and cyclists need to cross to the north bank for short distances to travel the full 11.6 miles through the Rillito River Park.

The prime consultant for the First Avenue to Mountain segment was Westland Resources Inc.; the general contractor was Tucson Asphalt Contractors Inc.  Construction cost $300,000 and was funded primarily by a Transportation Enhancement Grant administered through the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The prime consultant for the Mountain to Campbell segment was Olsson Associates; the general contractor was M. Anderson Construction Corp.  Construction cost $240,000 and was funded by 1997 Pima County bonds.

The Pima County Bicycle and Pedestrian Program is conducting safety and informational outreach along the pathways for the next month, providing free bike maps, bike safety class schedules, and other items, as well as talking with bicyclists and pedestrians about using the pathways as safely as possible.  Contact Matt Zoll with the Pima County Department of Transportation for more information at 243-BIKE (2453).

Pima County, Ariz. – More than 1,000 people of all ages turned out to Launch The Loop on Oct. 22 and walk, skate or bike on the Santa Cruz and Rillito river park paths that were officially joined in the celebration Saturday.

Officials who spoke at the Dedication Celebration all agreed with Pima County Supervisor Sharon Bronson, who said The Loop is a great example of “what happens when you have regional cooperation.”

Russ Lennon rides on The Loop along the Rillito River near Flowing Wells District Park on Saturday, Oct. 22

Oro Valley Mayor Satish Hiremath praised Pima County for leading the effort that includes the cities of Tucson and South Tucson, the towns of Marana and Oro Valley, the Regional Transportation Authority and the Arizona Department of Transportation.

“It’s a new beginning for this entire region,” Hiremath said.

The connection of the Santa Cruz and Rillito river park paths creates 23 miles of car-free pedestrian and bicycle paths from West Silverlake Road on the south to North Craycroft Road on the east.  When completed, The Loop will be 55 miles of paths connecting the Rillito, Santa Cruz and Pantano river parks with greenways along the Julian Wash and Harrison Road, along with links to Marana and Oro Valley.

Jim Glock, director of the Tucson Department of Transportation, said The Loop would launch the area’s status from the League of American Bicyclists from gold, which it’s held since 2006, to platinum.

Marana Mayor Ed Honea set aside the town’s legal dispute with the county over ownership of a county-built wastewater treatment plant in Marana and addressed Pima County Administrator C.H. Huckelberry.

Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry, right, smiles while linking symbolic chain loops with other dignitaries at the dedication celebration of the connection of the Santa Cruz and Rillito river park paths on Oct. 22. Also pictured, from the far left of the chain, Pima County Supervisor Sharon Bronson (with her back to the camera); Deputy Pima County Administrator John Bernal; Regional Transportation Authority Executive Director Gary Hayes; Tucson Department of Transportation Director Jim Glock; Todd Emery, Arizona Department of Transportation’s Tucson District Engineer (behind Glock); Mike Reuwsaat, executive director of the YMCA of Southern Arizona; Oro Valley Mayor Satish Hiremath; Marana Mayor Ed Honea; and Pima County Supervisor Ann Day.

“Chuck, this is one issue we do agree on,” Honea said, adding that regional biking and hiking trails are good for the community and “for the business community as well.”

More than 850 adults and children registered at Flowing Wells District Park along the Rillito, at Christopher Columbus Park along the Santa Cruz and in Marana to get free Loop T-shirts, water bottles and backpacks.  Registration dropped off after the supply of more than 440 T-shirts was exhausted, but people continued to turn out to walk, ride or skate.

An estimated 200 cyclists rode the 22-mile route from Flowing Wells District Park to the University of Arizona campus and back along the Santa Cruz and Rillito river park paths.

Hundreds of kids attending Launch The Loop or the grand opening of the Kory Laos Memorial Freestyle BMX Park at Flowing Wells District Park got free helmets.  More than 900 backpacks and water bottles were given away.

Hundreds of Loop bike jerseys were sold and were so popular that more are expected to be produced.

Huckelberry said that The Loop was a great opportunity to show “what taxpayers’ money goes for” and that it was rewarding to “put improvements in the ground and see people use them.”

Federal and state disaster assistance funding for bank stabilization, federal grants, Pima County bond funds and contributions from the other jurisdictions have financed the work on The Loop.

Huckelberry said that paths along the Julian Wash would be built from the Santa Cruz River Park to the University of Arizona Science and Technology Park, northeast of South Kolb Road and Interstate 10, within the next year.  Plans also include extending the Santa Cruz paths south to San Xavier Mission and north through Marana to Sanders Road (the paved path now ends a little north of Twin Peaks Road) and connecting the paths along the Cañada del Oro to reach from the Santa Cruz to Catalina State Park.

Huckelberry estimated that 90 percent of The Loop paths would be connected in the next 19 months.

“We’ll get them done together and with the cooperation of everybody in the region,” he said.

Event partners included Pima County, Tucson, Marana, Oro Valley, the Northwest YMCA, the Regional Transportation Authority and the Pima County Health Department’s Healthy Pima program.

Go to www.pima.gov/TheLoop for more information and the latest Loop news, maps and events.

Pima County, Ariz. – Launch The Loop on Saturday, Oct. 22, and get a free T-shirt, water bottle and backpack, while supplies last, when you register from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at:

• Flowing Wells District Park, 5510 N. Shannon Road.
• Christopher Columbus Park, 4600 N. Silverbell Road.
• Crossroads at Silverbell Park, 7548 N. Silverbell Road.

Free bike helmets for kids will be available only at Flowing Wells District Park.

The Loop bike jerseys will be available for sale only at the Flowing Wells park.  They come in three styles: one long-sleeved and two short-sleeved.  The long-sleeved jersey is $40; short-sleeved is $35.

Fruit, granola bars, and water will be available at the registration sites, while supplies last.

The Loop is 55 miles of car-free paths being developed around metropolitan Tucson, with links to Marana and Oro Valley, for Pima County residents and visitors to enjoy on foot, bikes, skates, and horses.

If it doesn’t have a motor, it’s good to go on The Loop.

Launch The Loop celebrates the connection of 23 miles of pedestrian and bike paths through the Santa Cruz and Rillito river parks.

Walk, ride, run or skate from the registration sites directly to the 10 a.m. Dedication Celebration on West Sunset Road, west of Interstate 10.  (The dedication site is 1.3 miles from the Flowing Wells park, 1.5 miles from Columbus Park and 4.5 miles from the Marana park.) Or register early at Flowing Wells park and participate in a 22-mile bike ride to the University of Arizona campus and back before the Dedication Celebration.

Hundreds of Pima County residents and visitors are expected to enjoy the weather and the scenery and get their muscles moving on the Rillito and Santa Cruz river park segments of The Loop on Saturday.

Go to www.pima.gov/TheLoop for more information and the latest Loop news, maps and events.

Event partners include Pima County, Tucson, Marana, Oro Valley, the Northwest YMCA, the Regional Transportation Authority and the Pima County Health Department’s Healthy Pima program.

Pima County, Ariz. – Four years ago, 14-year-old Kory Laos was riding his bike on Speedway Boulevard near the University of Arizona and was killed when one motorist turned in front of him and another hit him.

On Saturday, Oct. 22, Pima County’s biggest BMX park – named for Kory – is having its grand opening at Flowing Wells District Park, 5510 N. Shannon Road.

The grand opening of the Kory Laos Memorial Freestyle BMX Park is at 8 a.m. and will include BMX and mountain bike demonstrations, bike repair and free helmets for kids.

Kory, who was a student at Tortolita Middle School, was riding with friends when he was hit on May 4, 2007.  One SUV turned in front of him, its rear fender snagging him.  A second SUV hit him.  His friends and his family – dad Scott, mom Lynn and brother Kyle – have been working since his death to raise funds and make the park a reality.

“It started as a way for my wife and my older boy and me to grieve,” Scott Laos said.  But then they realized it was “not just about my little boy.”

“It’s about our whole community.”

They all want a safe place – away from cars – where kids can ride.  A place that gets them off the streets and outdoors, away from TV screens and video games.  An alternative to boredom and getting in trouble.

“If I accomplish any one of those, then I’ve accomplished what I set out to do,” Laos said.

Their efforts are documented on http://korylaos.com.

“We raised about $10,000 on our own,” Scott Laos said.  “And we just received a grant from the Tohono O’odham Nation for $8,000 more.”

Pima County donated eight acres for the park.  It is dirt now – a special dirt that keeps dust down and prevents erosion – graded and shaped, with two tracks.

Helmets are required.  Riders can be cited if they are caught without them.

The county has no liability, Laos said.  It’s ride at your own risk.  Signage is up.  As many as 50 riders at one time – of all ages – have tried it out.

The park is not finished.  A concrete and steel bowl with halfpipes, tabletops and other features is on a list of Pima County bond projects that will go to voters at a still-undetermined date.

“I’m optimistic about that,” Laos said.  “I’m a patient man.  I’ll do what I can to give children a safe place to ride.”

Laos said the park is in “a perfect spot,” on the south bank of the Rillito River Park with its pedestrian and bicycle paths.  Riders can use the car-free paths to get there from as far away as North Craycroft Road to the east or West Silverlake Road to the south now that the Santa Cruz and Rillito river park paths are connected.

The BMX park’s grand opening coincides with the Oct. 22 Launch The Loop event, celebrating the connection of the Rillito and Santa Cruz river park paths.  Launch The Loop registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at Flowing Wells District Park.

When completed, The Loop will be 55 miles of car-free paths around metropolitan Tucson, connecting the Rillito and Santa Cruz river parks with greenways along the Julian Wash and Harrison Road, and Pantano River Park.  For more information, go to www.pima.gov/TheLoop.

Cyclists riding on the north side of the Rillito River Park path

Pima County, Ariz. – Join hundreds of Pima County residents and visitors who enjoy the safety and the scenery when they walk, run, skate or bike on The Loop, 55 miles of car-free paths being developed around metropolitan Tucson, with links to Marana and Oro Valley.

Launch The Loop on Oct. 22 and celebrate the connection of the pedestrian and bike paths through the Santa Cruz and Rillito river parks.

The 23-mile path from West Silverlake Road to North Craycroft Road is the longest completed, continuous segment of The Loop.

If it doesn’t have a motor, it’s good to go on The Loop.

The Loop:

• will connect multi-use paths along the Santa Cruz River, Rillito River, Pantano River and Julian Wash with a greenway along Harrison Road.  Eventually paths will be added on both sides of each riverbank to provide more than 130 miles of continuous off-street or shared-use paths.  Nearly half of the 130 miles of paths are in place.
• will connect to local parks, trailheads, bus and bike routes, workplaces, schools, restaurants, hotels and motels, shopping areas, and sports and entertainment venues.

More than 38 percent of the metropolitan population lives within one mile of The Loop.

Pima County and Marana are working now to extend the Santa Cruz River Park path to and through Marana.  The County and Oro Valley have partnered to create multi-use paths along the Cañada del Oro that will extend from the Santa Cruz River nearly to Catalina State Park.  The newest 2.4-mile segment of the Pantano River Park was dedicated this month.

To join the Oct. 22 celebration and get free T-shirts, water bottles, backpacks, bike helmets for kids, and safety gear while supplies last, register from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at:

• Flowing Wells District Park, 5510 N. Shannon Road.
• Christopher Columbus Park, 4600 N. Silverbell Road.
• Crossroads at Silverbell Park, 7548 N. Silverbell Road.

Walk, ride, run or skate from the registration sites directly to the 10 a.m. Dedication Celebration on West Sunset Road, west of Interstate 10.  Or register early at Flowing Wells Park and participate in a 22-mile bike ride to the University of Arizona campus and back before the Dedication Celebration.

New Loop bike jerseys will be available for sale at the event.

Go to www.pima.gov/TheLoop for more information and the latest Loop news, maps and events.

Event partners include Pima County, Tucson, Marana, Oro Valley, the Northwest YMCA and the Pima County Health Department’s Healthy Pima program.

Pima County has partnered with Tucson, South Tucson, Marana, Oro Valley, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Arizona Department of Transportation, the Regional Transportation Authority and others on the existing paths.  Federal and state disaster assistance funding for bank stabilization, federal grants and County bond funds financed the work.

In an article in The Explorer this week, Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry writes about The Loop.

“If the amount of use already visible along The Loop is any indication, this new amenity will emerge as one of the most popular places for Pima County residents to spend time exercising outdoors, not just today, but for generations to come.

“The success of this regional project  is a model for what can be accomplished through the collaborative efforts of Pima County, Marana, Oro Valley and the cities of Tucson and South Tucson.”

He invites the community to participate in Family Bike Day from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Northwest YMCA, 7770 N. Shannon Road, and in the Launch The Loop celebration from 7:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 at locations along the newly connected Rillito and Santa Cruz river park paths.

To see the entire article, go to http://explorernews.com/voices/editorials/article_72680a52-eed4-11e0-800e-001cc4c002e0.html.