Alicia Sanchez receives 2018 Marana Youth Legacy Award

Alicia Sanchez accepts the Youth Legacy Award from Mayor Honea on the 2018 State of the Town stage.

As part of the 2018 Marana State of the Town Luncheon last week, the Town handed out their second annual Youth Legacy Award.

Award History

The Marana Town Council created the Youth Legacy Award in order to acknowledge youth in the community who make Marana a better place for everyone. Recipients of this award benefit others in the community through acts supporting:

Heart: promoting a healthy and supportive environment for youth;

Body: Fulfilling essential needs such as food, shelter, and safety; or

Mind: Creating educational opportunities enriching young minds. 

This year the nominees were evaluated by a panel made up of Town staff and members of the Marana Citizens Forum.

Alicia Sanchez

Alicia Sanchez is a Marana High School alumni and is highly engaged in her community. Passionate about public safety, her involvement began when she participated in the Criminal Justice Career and Technical Education course at Marana High school. During her senior year, she participated in the Marana 2.0 internship program where she hosted an event to create relationships between Marana Police Officers and Marana high schoolers.

By bringing officers and students together, Alicia has contributed toward promoting a healthy and supportive environment for youth and has created an educational opportunity to enrich the minds of her peers. Alicia plans to pursue a career in Criminal Justice to eventually become a detective.

Dr. Monica Fowler and Northwest Landscaping receive the 2018 Marana Branding Iron Awards

As part of the 2018 Marana State of the Town Luncheon, the Town handed out their Branding Iron Awards. The Marana Branding Irons are awarded to on individual and one organization who have made a "mark" on the community.

Some of the past recipients of the awards  include former U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, former Mayor Ora Mae Harn, Wheeler & Charlene Abbett, and Sargent Aerospace & Defense. 

This year the nominees were evaluated by a panel made up of Town staff and members of the Marana Citizens Forum.

Individual: Dr. Monic Fowler

Dr. Fowler receives the Branding Iron Award from Mayor Honea on the 2018 State of the Town stage.

Dr. Monica Fowler is a Marana resident and owner of Fowler Chiropractic. She is a licensed chiropractor specializing in sports medicine and prenatal care. In addition to providing care throughout the region, she takes every opportunity to give back to the community.

Every holiday she collects the names of children in need and will hand-deliver purchased and donated items to well over 800 children. She is a devoted member and ambassador of the Marana Chamber of Commerce as well as the Chair of the Health and Wellness Committee.

Northwest Landscaping LLC

Greg Brchan and Chris Fisher accept the Branding Iron Award from Mayor Honea on behalf of Northwest Landscaping on the 2018 State of the Town stage.

Northwest Landscaping LLC is owned by Chad Berg, Glenn Brchan, and Steven Chrismer and was founded in 2000 as “Landscaping by Northwest”. They serve residential and commercial markets from Nogales to Casa Grande and have based the company’s services on a proactive approach to Sonoran Desert landscape services. 

In the case for Gladden Farms and Saguaro Bloom neighborhoods, they are considered a true community partner. They have a strong commitment to community values and go much further than just providing professional landscape services.

Northwest Landscaping regularly participates in neighborhood events, often volunteering to set up, tear down, and provide staff members in order to ensure a successful event for the community. They support residents in hard times by volunteering their services to those enduring medical hardships or deployments.

This organization has made themselves an essential part of the community and serves as an excellent example of how businesses can create impactful relationships with their neighbors.

John Officer appointed Marana Town Councilmember

On Tuesday, April 17, Marana Town Council appointed John Officer to the Town Council. Officer will serve the remainder of the term left vacant by the passing of Councilmember Carol McGorray.

Officer was one of nine applicants for the position, eight of whom made presentations to the Council at the  April 17 meeting.

The position is one of four that will be part of this year’s election and his term will last until the winner of the election is sworn in.

John Officer has lived, worked, and volunteered in the Town of Marana for 25 years. He was raised in Buckeye, Arizona and moved to the Marana area in 1990. He spent over 30 years working with the Central Arizona Project, and currently owns a weed control business. He volunteers regularly for the Marana Public Works Department and hadserved on the Parks and Recreation Commission. He served on the Planning Commission before being appointed to the Marana Town Council.

Officer also volunteers with Marana Little League and helps to find donors to build additional facilities at Ora Mae Harn Park. He also worked with the Marana Heritage Conservancy, formerly serving as the group’s president for two years. He currently serves on the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona Advisory Board.

Parks & Rec: Plenty to do this summer

As the Director of Marana Parks and Recreation Department, my Recreation team and I are very excited to invite you to participate in our summer programs. The lineup of recreation programs and activities are designed to provide summer fun opportunities for all members of our community.

Also keep an eye out for the opening of our new Tangerine Sky Community Park and  Honea Heights Pocket park as well as our new Splash Pad in Crossroads District Park all scheduled to open this summer.

Jim Conroy
Director
Marana Parks and Recreation Department

Summer is coming and Marana is inviting you to soak in the summer with us. We have a number of great activities for all interest and skill levels as well as all ages. As Director of Marana Parks and Recreation, my team has created programs designed to provide fun opportunities for all members of our community.

We finish our Tortolita adventures as the weather gets warmer with two more Guided Horseback Rides of the Tortolitas. On June 2, we will host the Headlight Hike, our nighttime headlight hike. Come out and enjoy the beauty of the southwest with us.

Saturday, May 12 is our annual Mother’s Day 5k, and this year we are adding a half mile fun run. This fifth annual race is a great way to celebrate all moms, grandmothers, and moms-to-be. Or you can just come out, strap on the shoes, and race for the love of it.

We are also providing a number of adult sports leagues and lessons. Co-ed Softball League begins in May, and Men’s Basketball League at the Leman Academy begins in July. Get ready to dust off your high tops and bring your basketball skills to the court.

Not sure you want to commit to a basketball league? There are weekly open gyms for both basketball and volleyball. Racquet sports more your style? Then join our Pickleball League or sign up for tennis lessons.

There are also a number of sports options for kids including leagues, lessons, and camps. We offer golf and tennis lessons for all ages, and for athletes wanting to take their skills to the next level there is speed, agility, and quickness training at the end of the summer. We will also offer clinics for youth football, basketball, and volleyball players, as well as horse riding camps for burgeoning equestrians.

We are again partnering with Pima Community College this summer to offer courses in photography, retirement planning, and BBQ 101. There are full and half day youth STEAM Camps as well.

Another summer camp option is our popular Create with a Beat Creative Camps. These camps have been very popular during holiday breaks, and they will continue all summer long for students looking for something fun to do.

Still haven’t found an activity? Marana Parks and Recreation is offering parent/tot classes, Community Music Theatre Choir, Make & Take Crafts, a needlework group, music workshops, and dog obedience classes. For our seniors, we’ve planned trips to Biosphere 2, Mount Lemmon, and the Gaslight Theatre.

There is plenty to do in Marana this summer. Our Parks & Rec Department has a little something for everyone, and maybe a lot just for you.

Our Parks & Rec Department has a little something for everyone, and maybe a lot just for you. For more information and to sign up, visit MaranaAZ.gov/recreation .

Traffic Alert: Construction in front of 5800 W. Arizona Pavilions Drive

Construction on Arizona Pavilions Drive is scheduled to take place on April 23, 2018, with a lane closure on the roadway beginning at 7:00 a.m. and running until 6:00 p.m.

Tucson Asphalt will remove and replace an asphalt section of the road in front of 5800 West Arizona Pavilions Drive. Tucson Asphalt will place asphalt in sections by lane, alternating lanes adjusted to cure time (cooling).  Work will be completed on April 25, 2018, along with traffic control.

For your safety and that of the contractor’s personnel, please comply with traffic control devices, flagging personnel, and/or detour signs.

Travel time through the project area may increase during construction so please adjust your schedule accordingly. Construction may restrict traffic lanes and create congestion. Taking alternate routes is suggested.

If inclement weather or other events cause delays, the work may be rescheduled without further notice.

Stay up-to-date on Town of Marana news, projects, and events. Visit MaranaAZ.gov, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

Sneak Preview Photo Gallery: Tangerine Sky playground

Construction has gone vertical at Tangerine Sky Park. Located just south of Tangerine road, between Camino de Oeste and Camino de Manana, Marana’s newest park project will be the largest park in east Marana.

The project is due to be completed later this summer. The park will feature a play area, a basketball court, a large turf area, two dog parks and several ramadas, as well as access to the neighboring trail system.

The location of the park is conveniently located near both Dove Mountain and the Twin Peaks Corridor, benefiting a wide array of visitors. The Town of Marana recently wrapped up their portion of the project to widen Tangerine Road between Dove Mountain Blvd and La Cholla Drive. As part of this project, a shared-use path will allow cyclists, walkers, joggers, and any other non-motorized users to enjoy a car-free pathway. Tangerine Sky Community Park, when complete, will serve as an ideal trailhead for this route.

Work is currently being done on installing the play area equipment. See the images below to get a sneak peek at all of the fun.

Erik Montague appointed Deputy Town Manager effective April 23

Erik Montague

Town Manager Jamsheed Mehta has appointed Erik Montague as Deputy Town Manager at the Town of Marana effective April 23.

Montague has over 22 years of experience in governmental accounting and auditing. He most recently served as Finance Director for the Town of Marana since October 2006.

"We are very fortunate to have the talent and institutional knowledge that Mr. Montague will bring to his new role as Deputy Town Manager," said Mehta. "He understands the financial impacts and operations of the Town's projects, and I am confident of our organization's continued success."

Prior to working at the Town, Montague served as Controller for the City of Avondale and Senior Auditor with the Arizona Office of the Auditor General. He is a member of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and Government Finance Officers Association of Arizona (GFOAz). He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Arizona. 

"I am humbled by the opportunity and I look forward to working with various departments in providing important services to our community," said Montague. "There are a number of exciting service enhancements on the horizon including plans for new intuitive web-based tools to help our development community, as well as an update to the pavement preservation program which will drive decisions on how we can best manage our road systems well into the future."

In his new position as Deputy Town Manager, Montague will provide strategic and managerial leadership to the Departments of Finance, Engineering, Public Works, Water, and Technology Services. This is in addition to the expertise and the valuable resource he will provide to the Town Manager on a day-to-day basis.

Certifications make Aquatic Maintenance Team more effective

With the addition of the Crossroads Splash Pad coming on-line in July, it is essential that "Parks Maintenance Division" staff be a key part of the Parks & Recreation Department's Aquatic Maintenance team. Nate Jansky, Carlos Ochoa, John Smith, Mario Luna, Rene Romero and Ruben Cruz have earned their Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) certification and are now properly trained and certified to work on Aquatic facilities.

Prior to these staff receiving this certification, the Parks & Rec. Dept. only had a few staffers who possess the Aquatic Facility Operator certification. This training has provided our staff with Health Dept. Requirements training, Water Chemistry training, Identifying Chemical types for Sanitizing and Treating Water, and understanding  Water Collection Systems, Pumps and proper water Filtration.
 
“This training is a good example of the professional training Town management is committed to providing our staff,” said Marana’s Parks and Recreation Director Jim Conroy.

The Town’s other splash pad at the Marana Heritage River Park opened earlier this month to great popularity. Anticipation for the facility’s opening was so great that the Facebook post announcing the opening had more than 25,000 views.

“Facilities like the Splash Pad are a great way for families to engage in safe water fun, and the popularity is a true testament to the positive impact public parks can have on our community,” Conroy said.

The Marana Pool at Ora Mae Harn Park is due to open on May 29 and offers free admission as well as seven swim lanes, a diving bay and ramada-style seating. The pool is 25 yards in length and has depths ranging from 3 to 12 feet.

The Town is still looking for a few lifeguards for the pool.

Splash Pad Hours- Daily;  8am-7pm
Splash Pad Rules

Ina Interchange Progress Report

The Ina Interchange Project is not only a major project for Marana, but for the entire region. The project continues to be on schedule and quite a bit has been accomplished since the project began in 2017.

Crews have completed the removal both bridges that traffic travelling on I-10 over Ina Road. One of the primary goals of the project is to now have Ina travel over I-10 and the Union Pacific Railroad, which will eliminate the need for traffic to stop for trains, speeding up travel, as well as making the area safer.  

A portion of the new Ina Road bridge has been completed, with the bridge over the new eastbound travel lanes complete. By completing this half of the bridge, it allows workers to complete the construction without working over live traffic or restricting freeway travel.

The new eastbound I-10 pavement is complete and in place. With the pavement in place, it has allowed all interstate traffic in both directions to be moved to that new pavement. Currently there are three lanes of traffic in each direction, and at completion this same pavement will carry four lanes of eastbound traffic.

Another portion of the project is the construction of two new bridges that will carry Ina Road over the Santa Cruz River. One of the new is complete and is now carrying the traffic on West Ina in both directions. After completion of the first new bridge, it allowed for the previous bridge to be removed. Currently work has begun on the second and upon its completion, the two bridges will each hold two lanes of traffic.

The bridges are not the only work being done on Ina Road west of the freeway. Crews have begun their work to widen Ina Road to two lanes in each direction from I-10 west to Silverbell Road. Ina Road is already two lanes in each direction east of I-10 and this expansion, along with the bridge, will give Ina Road a consistent flow the entire way.

A large amount of work has already gone into constructing the bridge supports and infrastructure for the remaining portion of the bridge over I-10 and the railroad tracks. Once completed, the bridge will connect with Ina Road east of the railroad tracks. Crews have also begun developing the on and off ramps that will connect I-10 and Ina Road. Additionally, workers have started to build the new westbound lanes of I-10.

Upon the project’s completion there will be four lanes of interstate highway in each direction.

The project is due to be completed in early 2019 and is a joint project by ADOT, the Town of Marana, Pima County, Pima Association of Governments, and the RTA.

Learn more on the project website.

MPD Officer earns award for her work in schools

Marana Police Officer Melissa Larkin was named the Law Related Education Officer of the Year by the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education. The award recognizes exceptional contributions of Arizona police and probation officers in furthering education and understanding of the role of the law in a democratic society.

Ofc. Larkin is the School Resource Officer at Marana Middle School and was praised by the organization for "promoting access to justice for all Arizonans."

The award focuses on public awareness on the contributions that Ofc. Larkin provides to the school, as well as the community as a whole.

Larkin was also named the 2016 School Resource Officer of the Year by the Arizona School Resource Officer Association Conference.

KVOA: Unclaimed remains of veterans laid to rest in Marana

KVOA provided a story on a special ceremony at Marana's Veteran's Cemetery. 

The unclaimed remains of 29 U.S. Veterans were laid to rest on Saturday during a special ceremony in Marana. The ceremony is part of an annual effort led by the Veterans Recovery Program that works to make sure unclaimed remains are identified and properly interred.

"We have veterans that have cremated remains that have been sitting on shelves for years," said Veteran Paul Marsh.

Marsh has been part of the effort to get the Veteran Cemetery in Marana. 

The 29 veterans that were honored on Saturday may have never been identified had it not been for the Veterans Recovery Program.

"They deserve as good of treatment as we can give them as veterans. We do this type of thing twice a year to take good care of our veterans who don't have anybody to take care of them," said Marsh.

Read the rest of the story on KVOA's website. 

12 News in Phoenix also ran a story on the ceremony. 

Mayor's Message: Saying ‘goodbye’ to one of Marana’s dearest friends

Marana Mayor Ed Honea provided a Mayor's Message for the latest issue of the Marana News/Explorer News

Last week, we said goodbye to Councilmember Carol McGorray. Marana said goodbye to a great champion who loved this community. Many of us said goodbye to a dear friend. 

While it is easy to be sad at her passing, it is also easy to smile and remember all of the great things she did. I was friends with Carol long before we began working on the Marana Town Council, and through our civic duties we accomplished great things together. 

First and foremost, Carol loved her family. She was a mother of seven children, 13 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren with two more on the way. In her various roles in the community, she often looked at issues from the perspective of how they would impact families. 

She had a tremendous impact on the community through her various boards and positions, and was a kind, hard-working person who put the community first. She served on the board of the Marana Health Center, and was a member of the Marana Food Bank’s Advisory Board since its inception. For her work with the food bank, she was recently awarded emeritus status. In addition, she was very involved with the Dove Mountain Civic Group, the Marana School District and the Dove Mountain Rotary Club. 

One constant theme in her work was her desire to protect those who needed it most and try to be an advocate for those who were struggling. She was compassionate. She cared.

I have been asked a number of times recently about who Carol McGorray was, and I usually say she was a “great lady.” But that does not cover it. She believed in rolling up her sleeves and working to help her neighbors, and she saw everybody in Marana as her neighbor. She believed in treating everyone with respect.

She served on the Council for 17 years and was proud of what we accomplished, but at the end she felt there were still things to get done to make the community stronger. She was preparing to run for re-election. 

We may have said goodbye to Carol McGoray last week, but her impact will not soon be forgotten. She wore many hats, served many causes and worked hard to have them all mean something important. We need more spirited individuals like Carol McGorray on the Town Council and our boards and commissions, so that Marana will continue to be the most favored place.

Town staff now accepting public input on recommended operating budget

Town Manager Jamsheed Mehta and Finance Director Erik Montague presented the recommended operating budgets for the General Fund, Bed Tax Fund, Highway User Revenue Fund, Water Operating Fund, Wastewater Operating Fund, and Airport Operating Fund for fiscal year 2018-2019 at the April 10 Council study session.

Information and direction received from Council will be incorporated into the Town's tentative budget which will be brought back to Mayor and Council for consideration at the regular meeting on May 15, 2018.

View the Manager's Recommended Operating Budget. 

The document is a comprehensive summary of the recommended budget and includes departmental summaries with notes explaining major changes between fiscal years.  The summary includes a section on operating capital and projects which provides brief descriptions of significant one-time items.  It also formally lists the items requested to be carry forward into the 2018-2019 recommended budget.  Staff projects that there will be adequate resources to support these carry forward requests.

The budgets presented are the operating budgets for the General Fund and other selected operating funds. Other Special Revenue, Capital Project and Debt Service Funds are not formally presented here at this time, and will be included in the overall tentative budget which will be presented on May 15, 2018.

View the Council Study Session Agenda item. 

View the Council Study Session Budget Presentation.

Learn more about the Marana Budget process.

Let us know your feedback! The Town is accepting feedback from the public through May 15 when the tentative budget is presented to Town Council. 

April 23 deadline for vendor applications to Marana Star Spangled Spectacular

2017 Star Spangled Spectacular

MARANA — Town of Marana is seeking vendors for Marana Star Spangled Spectacular located at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park on Wednesday, July 4. Interested vendors can sign up at MaranaEvents.com. Deadline ends Monday, April 23.

Marana Star Spangled Spectacular is the largest organized Fourth of July celebration in southern Arizona with over 15,000 attendees and 40 vendor locations throughout the park. Event features include live music, inflatables, beer garden, playground, food, military vehicle display, and fireworks. To accommodate transportation needs, the Town of Marana will offer shuttle pickups throughout Continental Ranch. More information will be available closer to the event date.

The Town of Marana does not ensure exclusivity. Filling out a request form does not ensure a spot. Vendors are reserved on a first-come first-served basis and based on the number of vendors needed to best support the anticipated crowd. If the vendor is approved, the Town will provide additional information on acquiring a Marana business license or proof of 501(c)3 status, Pima County Health Permit if a food vendor, and insurance requirements.

April 7 service will honor victims of Nighthawk crash

On Saturday, April 7 at 10:00am at the Marana Regional Airport, the Marine Corps League Nighthawk 72 will host the 18th Anniversary Memorial Service to honor the 19 Marines who lost their lives in an training accident. 

A devastating tragedy occurred on the night of April 8, 2000, when an Air Force training mission went awry and an Osprey aircraft crashed at the Marana Regional Airport killing all 19 Marines on board. The investigation into the accident took over a year, but finally the survivors were able to have some closure during a memorial service near the site of the crash.

The Marana Town Council and Staff came together to erect a flagpole flying the U.S. flag, the Arizona State Flag, and the Marine Corps flag at the memorial site along with a plaque with the names and ranks of each serviceman. Many federal, state and local officials were on hand to honor these brave men.  A memorial service has been held each year since then, and the local Marine Corps league, named Nighthawk 72 in honor of the fallen aircraft, have added memorial artifacts over the years dedicated to keeping the memory of the event alive, never to be forgotten by the families and friends.

Town of Marana accepting applications for Town Council appointment

Current residents of the Town of Marana may apply for appointment to the Marana Town Council to serve the remaining term of Councilmember Carol McGorray.  Pursuant to state law, to qualify for appointment an applicant must meet all of the following requirements: 1) be 18 years old; 2) be a qualified elector residing within the Town; and 3) have resided within the Town for at least one year prior to appointment.

Applications for consideration should be submitted electronically or hand delivered with a resume attached to:  Marana Town Clerk, 11555 West Civic Center Drive, Marana AZ, 85653, no later than noon on April 13, 2018.

Marana Town Code 2-1-4 requires applicants to fill out this application, and provide a resume and any other support materials for consideration of the Town Council.

Click here for the online application. 

Click here to download the printable PDF. 

Learn more about Marana Town Council. 

April promises to be a busy month in Marana

April is a very busy month in the Town of Marana. No matter what your interest ,there are plenty of things to do in the Town. 

The Marana Police Department will hold their annual Tip-A-Cop fundraiser for Special Olympics On Wednesday, April 4 from 4:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. at Texas Roadhouse. MPD Officers will be present working as servers and earning tips which will benefit the Special Olympics.
Tip-A-Cop

On Saturday, May 7 bring your dancing shoes for a night of free music in the park with local talent Sonora Borealis! Sonora Borealis play their own take on classic rock from the 70's and 80's. Enjoy music while lounging in a chair or on a blanket (borrow one from us if you don't have one).  We are always located in the field behind the Wheeler Taft Library.
Sonora Borealis

The Wings of Freedom Tour is coming to the Marana Regional Airport from April 6th to 8th. The tour will bring vintage World War II aircraft to the Town including a  Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, a B-24 Liberator, a B-25 Mitchell, and a P-51 Mustang.
Wings of Freedom Tour

The Desert Bluegrass Association and the Town of Marana have joined together to host The 2018 Marana Bluegrass & Acoustic Music Festival  on April 13-15 at the Gladden Farms Community Park (12205 N Tangerine Farms Rd, Marana, AZ 85653). The event features three days of music and other activities.
Marana Bluegrass & Acoustic Music Festival

On April 14, the Marana Police Department, in partnership with the Marana-Foothills Optimist Club; Vistoso Funeral Home, Arizona Youth Partnership and Pima County Wastewater, Marana Police Volunteers encourages Marana citizens, businesses and schools to join us in sharing information about drug awareness and preventive measures.
April 14 - Dispose-A-Med

Also on April 14 will be the Free Vaccination Clinic For Dogs hosted by the Town of Marana Animal Services and the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.
April 14 - Free Canine Rabies Vaccination Clinic

Join us on April 21 for the 11th Annual Camping Under the Stars event!! Experience the great outdoors by camping overnight in our beautiful Ora Mae Harn Park. Registration will include your tent site, movie in the park, camp fire, star gazing, crafts, games, and environmental exhibits.
Camping Under the Stars

Don't want to stay the night, come on out for our Free Movie in the Park "Coco".

• Apr. 19 - State of the Town
• April 21 - Coffee With A Cop
• April 21 - Comcast Fair at Crossroads at Silverbell Park
• May 5 - Free Music In Marana: OnesAll Band
• May 12 - Marana Mother's Day 5K- Family Fun Run
• May 19 - Free Movie In Marana: Wonder

MPD Tip-A-Cop to benefit Special Olympics

The Marana Police Department will hold their annual Tip-A-Cop fundraiser for Special Olympics On Wednesday, April 4 from 4:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. at Texas Roadhouse. MPD Officers will be present working as servers and earning tips which will benefit the Special Olympics.

Last year volunteers from nearly every portion of the MPD came out to serve the packed house at Texas Roadhouse. They collected over $5,000 in tips and every dime benefitted the Arizona Special Olympics.

The MPD has been involved with Special Olympics for over a decade and has raised over $100,000 for Southern Arizona Special Olympians. 

They had 32 volunteers on hand from the MPD including lieutenants, captains and Chief  Terry Rozema. They had volunteers from the bomb squad, K9 and motor patrol, as well as the youth Explorers program and the volunteer VIP’s.

Come to @texasroadhouse for the @MaranaPD Tip A Cop event benefiting the @SpecialOlympics Wednesday, April 4th at 4:30-9:30pm Marana, Texas Roadhouse
Bobby Francis & @ElisaCotaFranci will be there with @ArcLightPics . We hope to see you there! pic.twitter.com/tAhMBnA9LM

— ArcLight Pictures (@ArcLightPics) April 3, 2018

Construction starting soon on Marana's newest Splashpad (Updated with the latest designs)

Construction is set to begin on Marana’s newest splash pad. After the overwhelming popularity of the splash pad at Marana Heritage River Park, Crossroads at Silverbell District Park will be the future home of Marana's next splash pad.

“Splash pads are crazy popular right now and we think this will be a wonderful attraction for the park,” said Marana Parks and Recreation Director Jim Conroy.

Park users should be aware that construction is starting soon on the project and the new facility will open late Summer 2018. The new splash pad surface will be over 2,400 square feet with floor geysers, floor lighting, integrated seating, and shade for public use, which will provide additional relief on hot days.

The new splash pad will be located close to the existing playground and ramadas, making it a great option for those wanting to host a spring or summer birthday party. Crossroads at Silverbell District Park already provides a number of great amenities including the playground, athletics fields, dog park, and walking paths.

More project info can be found at

Updated: Councilmember McGorray passes, leaves behind a legacy

It is with great sadness that we inform the community of the passing of Town of Marana Councilmember Carol McGorray on Thursday, March 22. She is survived by six of her seven children. The memorial service will be held on Wednesday, April 4 at 11 A.M. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church 8650 N Shannon Rd, Tucson, AZ 85742.

Refreshments will be offered immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona and MHC Healthcare.

Carol was elected to her first term on the Marana Town Council in March 2001 and served for 17 years. She had also served on the Marana Health Center board and was active in the Dove Mountain Civic Group and Dove Mountain Rotary Club. She was passionate about community service, and her contributions have had a significant impact on our town. She will be greatly missed.

The Town of Marana is collecting stories and expressions of grief from the community. For those who knew her, please join us in remembering her by sharing with us your stories. 

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Left to right, top to bottom: Carol McGorray and family, Santa Cruz River embankment groundbreaking, Gladden Farms neighborhood groundbreaking, Marana Cotton Blossoms, Cotton Blossom Thrift Store grand opening, 2017 Marana Founders' Day parade

Originally published on March 27, 2018.

Updated with memorial service information on March 29, 2018.