Canoa Hills Trails Planning Site

Welcome to the Park Improvements Planning Project:

This 130-acre, open space is a paved and accessible urban walking park meandering through residential neighborhoods in Green Valley. Flood Control is planning improvements for this County park that was a former golf course evolving into a natural desert landscape. For day-to-day information on park use, please visit the Canoa Hills Trails Park webpage.

Customer feedback and service requests can be directed to Pima County's Conservation, Lands and Resources Department via email at CanoaRanch@pima.gov or by calling (520)-724-6680.

Current Park Amenities:

• The path loops 5.5 miles and is generally considered an easy route, taking an average of 1 h 49 min to complete.
• This is a popular trail for running and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.
• The wide paved trails that were created when this area was a golf course continue to be maintained.
• The character of the park is an urban escape within a quiet desert wash and hills setting. There are scenic mountain vistas and ample desert views including diverse wildlife like roadrunners and javelinas.
• You’ll find clear trail maps at the start of each loop
• Benches are available for resting along the way.
• Since it's in the desert, carrying enough water is always a good idea, especially during warmer months since water is not available on the trail.
• The predominantly wide, paved trails are suitable for strollers. While many sections are accessible, some parts have occasional steeper inclines which may present a challenge for wheelchairs. While generally easygoing, the route does include varied sections with gradual inclines and declines, so it's not entirely flat, but still suitable for most fitness levels.
• The route also passes through sections of the Placita Apache trail.
• Current trail information is also available.

History, Accomplishments, and Ongoing Maintenance

The former Canoa Hills Golf Course was acquired by Pima County Flood Regional Control District in 2018.

The park was subsequently renamed Canoa Hills Trails Park (CHTP). Following acquisition, the Flood Control District completed initial demolition, maintenance, and repair activities throughout the property. Beyond land purchase, Flood Control investments have included plant materials, labor and maintenance costs, design and planning services, and will also cover future capital improvements.

Pima County Conservation Lands and Resources (CLR) manages the park for day-to-day operations, including vegetation and amenity maintenance. Early Land Stewardship implemented buffelgrass treatments, hydroseeding, watershed studies and test plots for vegetation rewilding. Engagement in 2019 consisted of community surveys that shaped provisional concepts for the park improvement plan.

Community Voices

Pima County public engagement, maintenance efforts, and studies help to inform provisional concepts for park improvement. In addition, the Tucson Bird Alliance (formerly Tucson Audubon Society) worked closely with HOAs on habitat concepts. Preliminary community feedback, including communications with Green Valley Council, helped to inform RFCD of community uses, concerns, and desires that will help shape the draft Master Plan.

Early interests and feasible concepts include:

• Clearance buffer along sidewalks
• Desire for vegetation and infrastructure improvements, especially near the main road at the center of the park, Camino del Sol
• Wildfire fuel break mowing strips between fairways and tree lines during peak risk times. Tree maintenance where there is no HOA common area to separate residences from the park (near holdes 3 and 16)
• Treatment of common allergens such as stinknet and pigweed
• Maintenance near hardscape of trenching and sediment build up after rain events
• Surrounding neighbors and HOAs express concern of overuse of park
• Suggestions to keep historic golf course mile markers and hole names for reference
• Previous outreach efforts revealed differing perspectives among local HOAs; engagement strategies moving forward will account for varying stakeholder priorities
• Engagement opportunities will include all residents