NON-DEVELOPMENT SYNTHESIZED CONCEPT

Please be aware that in order to represent the whole park tract, the following diagrams have to be drawn at a small scale. Because of this, distances look shorter, and levels of detail are lost. For instance, main roads would have vegetated medians, and residential areas would have yard and/or community park space. All green buffers that are depicted are at least 100 feet across. Plant barriers and topography changes would serve to partially or even fully conceal many aspects of development.

Non-Development Option

The non-development scenario shows a possibility that could occur if Woodland Lake Park were gifted by Congress to Pinetop-Lakeside, or if the parcel were to be given a national or state designation as a park, monument, or recreation area. Though this is the favored option for both residents of Pinetop-Lakeside and the Tejido Group, our research indicates that it is perhaps the least likely. It would preserve the park tract as public open space, creating the least environmental, social, and economic impact, which in the latter two cases may be viewed as a disadvantage. Depending on which agency owns and manages the tract, the requirements for facilities will be different. This diagram therefore is intended to show general recommendations regarding the placement of additional recreational amenities within the park. We are not advocating the removal of any features such as the picnic ramadas or benches, but as previously mentioned, they are not visible at this scale.

Near the lake, the existing parking and ball fields are shown, as well as the access road that serves the ramadas and boat ramp. It is possible that a campground will be a desired amenity, particularly if the tract becomes a state park. We recommend locating the campground to the west of the lake. This area lies in a shallow depression, which combined with distance, will provide a visual and auditory buffer between campground and lake user groups. The proximity will still allow campers to have easy access to the lake, but the visitor experience at the lake should not be altered. The campground should also incorporate restroom facilities which could also serve Woodland Lake Park users. A few new developed park spaces are proposed throughout the tract. These would be places with additional picnic facilities and perhaps field spaces for active recreational activities and are connected via new trail segments. Existing trails are represented by a light green dotted line, with trail connections and additions in a darker green, dashed line. The new trails increase the pedestrian linkages extending out of the park, allowing more access from neighborhoods from the east and west.

A new trail follows Walnut Creek, allowing for interpretive opportunities where the ecology of the invaluable riparian corridor can be explained and showcased. The trail respects the creek’s ecological needs through physical separation and careful bank stabilization strategies. At one point, this trail crosses the creek via a small footbridge, which would have a minimal environmental impact. Along the northern part of the eastern border of the park, a new trail is proposed following the utility easement corridor already in place. This would meet up with the major new feature of Adair Springs Park. This park area would be somewhat visible from 260, inviting visitors to come and explore. Its proximity to the Safeway shopping center creates a creek to creek connection, allowing visitors and future residents in the area east of Billy Creek to have better access to Walnut Creek and the rest of the park tract. A new parking lot would serve these park users as well as hikers who have come to use the trail system. Adair Springs Park would highlight the spring, which is currently hidden under a shed behind a chain link fence. The spring has historic value in that it has provided water to residents since the area was first settled, and continues to be used for irrigation purposes. It is important to protect the spring in terms of both ecology and water rights, but much more enjoyment and cultural significance could be derived from this resource. The Adair Springs Park could have a small pavilion or well house situated over the spring where visitors would be able to enjoy the sound of the water. We would suggest locating any memorial structures commemorating the Rodeo-Chediski wildfire within this Adair Springs Park. Leading out northwest from Adair Springs is another proposed trail branch that would follow the sewer easement corridor to connect to the neighborhoods to the north of the tract. Just south of the Big Springs environmental area is the proposed Wildlife Center, with an adjoining park space.

Phasing Suggestions

The Adair Springs Park and its associated parking lot would be a likely first step to this concept, as they provide a focal point and entry area into the park tract. Trail connections into the surrounding neighborhoods might come next, with their associated small parks. The campground could then be established, and the revenue it would generate could be put toward the next step of installing the Walnut Creek trail and bridge.