Sentinel Peak Regional Natural Resources Park

Sentinel Peak Regional Natural Resources Park. Master Plan Report completed 2009; Phase 1 Construction begin 2009

Sentinel Peak is a prominent landmark rising to the west of downtown Tucson, acknowledged as the birthplace of our city.  This project addressed the need for improvements to Sentinel Peak Park.  Working with focus groups and public input, Wheat Scharf developed a master plan to develop an attractive, safe and environmentally sustainable city park for Tucson residents and visitors that provide a variety of experiences.

Resolving conflicts with pedestrian and vehicular circulation was one important goal for the planning process; both to improve safety and to enhance the visitor experience consistent with a Natural Resource Park.  Additionally, the desert has been severely impacted in accessible areas of the park, contributing to erosion and habitat loss.  With no utilities available to the Park, future re-vegetation will depend on passive and active water harvesting.  Also, any electricity will need to be provided by solar power.

The master plan includes the access road, parking, interpretative signage, restroom, shade structures, new trails and pedestrian overlooks to be built in two phases.  The design guidelines in the master plan emphasize the use of materials compatible or native to the site in the development of the park improvements.  The plan reduces impermeable paving and asphaltic surfaces with alternative paving options such as resin-stabilized decomposed granite.

Included in the Phase 1 Construction to begin this summer, interpretative signage will enrich the experience of visitors.  The inclusion of  interpretative signage was a high priority expressed by the public at the Open House, with natural history and settlement history being favored topics.  Wheat Scharf will design the signage with archaeological and environmental consultants.

Phase 1 will also include coordination with Southwest Conservation Corps, a non-profit agency that provides work opportunities to young people, such as trail building and habitat restoration.  Their efforts will be a cost effective strategy to include more improvements in Phase 1 than otherwise possible.

• Client: City of Tucson Parks and Recreation
• Design Team
  • City of Tucson Parks and Recreation
  • Wheat Scharf Associates, concept design, landscape architecture
  • Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., Traffic Analysis