El Rio Preserve Observation Deck Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

El Rio Preserve Observation Deck ribbon cutting ceremony

Parks & Recreation Director Jim Conroy and Mayor Ed Honea presented at the ribbon cutting ceremony of the El Rio Preserve observation deck on the morning of December 6, 2019. Stakeholders and members of the community were invited to the opening of the new amenity, which will provide opportunity for education and recreation.

Notable takeaways:

• Town of Marana is proud of the partnerships cultivated for the El Rio observation deck, including partnerships with Tucson Audubon Society, Sonoran Institute, Marana Unified School District (MUSD), and Pima County.

• This project helped develop a special partnership with MUSD elementary schools, bringing the classroom outside and creating learning opportunities for the physical sciences— including the study of flora, fauna, insects, botany, and more. This impacts approximately 2,500 kids.

• The El Rio observation deck is a park facility located on the Santa Cruz River and connected to The Loop, which provides 131 car-free miles for running, walking, or biking. The urban trail system of paved path connects the communities of Marana, Oro Valley, Tucson, and South Tucson. The El Rio observation deck becomes a world-class recreational amenity that brings opportunities to the public for bird watching, trail systems, interconnectivity to the region, and appeals to those pursuing alternative transportation modes.

Watch the ceremony

GALLERY

El Rio Preserve observation deck with American flag

Parks and Recreation Director Jim Conroy

Ribbon cutting

Mayor Ed Honea

Town Council cuts the ribbon