12/6/2009 9:42:00 AM Verde Front planning in Camp Verde Thursday
The Verde Front recreational planning area would include the north face of the Black Hills and Mingus to and including the Verde River and its Verde River Greenway.
If you go:
What: Community Workshops for Verde Front planning
Where: Dec. 7, Cottonwood Public Safety Building
Dec. 10, Verde Ranger Station, Camp Verde
When: 6-8:30 p.m.
Cost: Only your input; refreshments will be provided
COTTONWOOD - Public officials are already excited about the prospects of a significant focus on recreation in the Verde Valley. Recreationists are also sure to be thrilled with the idea of recreational emphasis on the "Verde Front."
Just as the Denver area is called the "Front Range" of the Rocky Mountains, the idea is to give definition to the area from the ridgeline of the Black Hills and Mingus Mountain to the Verde River in the Verde Valley.
The area includes the jurisdictions of two major land managers who proposed the concept - Dee Hines, ranger of the Verde District of the Prescott Forest, and Max Castillo, Verde Greenway coordinator.
Starting Monday at the Cottonwood Public Safety Building, they are looking for your input. A second meeting will be held in at the Verde Ranger District Station in Camp Verde Thursday night. Both meetings are scheduled from 6 until 8 p.m.
Organizers want to include all recreationists who may use the massive Front area, including hikers, walkers, campers, bicyclists, equestrians, river runners, anglers, birders, hang gliders and paraglider pilots, off-highway vehicle users, hunters and gun enthusiasts and general interest visitors.
"Anyone with an interest in public lands recreation in the Verde Valley is welcome to participate," Hines said. "We want to hear from people on both sides of the river and beyond."
The public planning sessions are co-sponsored by the Prescott National Forest, Arizona State Parks, Yavapai County, City of Cottonwood and the towns of Camp Verde, Clarkdale and Jerome. The Yavapai-Apache Nation has been invited to participate.
"The expected product will be a comprehensive recreation strategy for the area," Hines said. "This integrated strategy would lead to a systematic project-by-project implementation as opportunities arise through a set of priorities and next steps."
The Prescott Forest is expected to integrate existing trails planning into broadly supported comprehensive trail systems. Citizens will participate in developing a plan for the Verde River Greenway as part of the Verde Front. The planning would include future use of the National Forest's Trusswell Tract and State Parks' Rockin' River Ranch, both recently acquired private parcels that are being converted to public ownership.
The Public Safety Building is located at 199 S. Sixth St. in Cottonwood. The Verde Ranger District Station is at 300 E. 260 in Camp Verde. Refreshments will be provided.
