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What We Heard

The Rio Reimagined Active Transportation Study employed a transparent, inclusive, and community-driven approach to public outreach and stakeholder engagement to ensure that project recommendations reflected the needs, priorities, and aspirations of the communities served by the corridor. Collectively, these efforts engaged more than 500 residents and generated thousands of data points regarding desired amenities, trail experiences, connectivity needs, and safety concerns. The findings revealed strong support for creating a continuous, safe, shaded, and well-connected regional trail network that links communities, parks, neighborhoods, destinations, and natural areas throughout the Rio Reimagined corridor.

Key Takeaways

  • Connectivity is the Highest Priority

    Residents consistently emphasized the importance of regional connections and closing gaps in the active transportation network. Community members expressed a desire for continuous routes that connect parks, canal paths, employment centers, downtowns, neighborhoods, and regional trail systems. Many participants specifically supported integration with existing regional facilities and the creation of safer multimodal connections that reduce dependence on automobiles.

  • Shade is Essential

    Shade consistently emerged as one of the most requested improvements across nearly all engagement methods. It was the most highly rated trail feature in the survey and ranked as a top priority in outreach activities. Participants frequently noted that the lack of shade is a major barrier to increased trail usage, emphasizing that expanding tree canopy and adding shaded rest areas are essential for supporting year-round trail use in Arizona's climate.

  • Safety Concerns Need to be Addressed

    Safety was a key concern identified throughout the engagement process. Participants pointed to several challenges, including unsafe roadway crossings, insufficient lighting, vehicle conflicts, inadequate wayfinding, maintenance issues, and safety concerns along canal and river corridors. Survey respondents emphasized that safety is a primary factor influencing their trail usage, while map-based feedback frequently called for protected crossings, enhanced lighting, wider pathways, and improved visibility along trails.

  • People Want Comfortable and Well-Supported Trail Experiences

    Community members showed a strong interest in amenities that enhance comfort and usability along trails. The most requested features included lookouts and viewpoints, shade structures, restrooms, drinking fountains, fitness stations, campsites, public art, wayfinding signage, pet-friendly amenities, and seating areas. Trailheads, rest stops, and access points were also commonly highlighted as key areas for improvement.

  • Environmental Stewardship and Ecological Enhancement

    Public engagement findings highlight strong community support for preserving and enhancing the natural environment within the Rio Reimagined corridor. Participants frequently emphasized the importance of wetlands, riparian habitats, wildlife viewing, environmental education, trees, and opportunities to connect with nature as key elements of the corridor experience. There was a clear desire for a trail system that balances increased access to the river environment with the protection of natural resources. Feedback prioritized habitat protection, restoration of native vegetation, climate resilience through expanded shade and tree canopy, and educational initiatives to raise awareness of the corridor's ecological value. As such, environmental stewardship should focus on preserving riverine ecosystems, restoring habitats, increasing biodiversity, promoting sustainability, and fostering connections between residents and the natural and cultural resources of the Rio Reimagined corridor.

  • Economic Development and Regional Impact

    Public input revealed a strong desire for the Rio Reimagined corridor to become a regional destination and a driver of economic investment. Participants emphasized the need for a seamless regional trail network that connects communities, employment hubs, downtown districts, recreational areas, parks, and tourism assets across the Valley. Feedback highlighted opportunities to boost economic development through increased visitation, recreation-based tourism, improved business access, enhanced quality of life, and coordinated investment with future development and redevelopment efforts. Many participants envisioned the corridor as a signature regional asset that fosters community identity, attracts visitors, supports local businesses, and strengthens connections between the eastern and western parts of the Valley.

  • Desired Experiences Along the Corridor

    Participants consistently described a desire for a trail system that balances recreation, health, and nature appreciation. The rubber band board activities revealed that residents most associate the river corridor with:


These results suggest that the public views the Rio Reimagined corridor not only as a transportation facility but also as an important environmental, recreational, and wellness resource.

  • How People Currently Use Trails

    The survey results below indicate what current trail users primarily use pathways for.

Walking 64%, Road biking 57%, Hiking 43%, Connections to parks 30%, Running and jogging 27%, Mountain biking 24%.

Respondents could select more than one activity, so totals exceed 100%.

  • Barriers to Trail Use

    Residents identified several factors that limit trail use:


These findings suggest that improving accessibility, comfort, and safety could substantially increase trail use throughout the corridor.

  • Support for Protected Crossings and Separation from Traffic

    Participants strongly favored grade-separated crossings where trails intersect major roadways. Respondents preferred underpasses and overpasses over conventional at-grade crossings, indicating a desire for facilities that minimize interactions between trail users and vehicular traffic. Additional comments emphasized protected crossings, multimodal continuity, and reducing conflicts between pedestrians, cyclists, scooters, and automobiles.

  • Community Vision for the Rio Reimagined Corridor

    Perhaps the most compelling takeaway from the engagement process was the consistent vision of the Rio Reimagined corridor as a connected regional destination. Community members described the rivers as an opportunity to create an Arizona-scale signature trail and recreational system that: • Connects west and east Valley communities • Enhances access to nature and wildlife • Supports healthy and active lifestyles • Promotes environmental stewardship and education • Increases transportation options • Spurs community revitalization • Provides equitable access to recreation • Creates a safe and comfortable experience for all ages and abilities

Residents envision the corridor as a major recreational and transportation spine that links neighborhoods, parks, natural areas, cultural destinations, employment centers, and regional trail systems while preserving the unique character of the river environment.
Public input was remarkably consistent across all engagement methods. Residents want a Rio Reimagined corridor that prioritizes connectivity, safety, shade, access to nature, and high-quality trail amenities. The strongest support centered on developing a continuous regional active transportation network with protected crossings, enhanced trail infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and destination-quality recreational experiences that serve both transportation and recreation needs.

The Rio Reimagined Active Transportation Study employed a transparent, inclusive, and community-driven approach to public outreach and stakeholder engagement to ensure that project recommendations reflected the needs, priorities, and aspirations of the communities served by the corridor. Collectively, these efforts engaged more than 500 residents and generated thousands of data points regarding desired amenities, trail experiences, connectivity needs, and safety concerns. The findings revealed strong support for creating a continuous, safe, shaded, and well-connected regional trail network that links communities, parks, neighborhoods, destinations, and natural areas throughout the Rio Reimagined corridor.

Rio Reimagined Recommendations

  • Complete a continuous shared-use pathway system along the Salt and Gila river.
  • Provide both paved regional trails and parallel natural-surface trails for hikers and equestrians.
  • Eliminate trail gaps between municipal jurisdictions.
  • Connect multi-use pathways to transit stations, employment centers, parks, schools, and neighborhoods.
  • Integrate the trail system with regional trail networks throughout Maricopa County.
  • Continue invasive species removal, including salt cedar and other non-native vegetation.
  • Restore native cottonwood, willow, mesquite bosque, marsh, and wetland habitats.
  • Reconnect habitat corridors along the entire river system.
  • Establish long-term monitoring and adaptive management programs.
  • Direct high-intensity recreation to designated nodes.
  • Protect sensitive wildlife breeding and nesting areas.
  • Utilize boardwalks, overlooks, and designated trails to manage visitor impacts.
  • Establish seasonal management strategies where needed.
  • Develop major destination trailheads with:
    • Parking
    • Restrooms
    • Shade structures
    • Educational exhibits
    • Drinking water
    • Bicycle facilities
    • Wayfinding signage
    • Equestrian amenities where appropriate
  • Recognizable gateway features at major access points throughout the corridor
  • Integrate trails and overlooks into flood control levees and drainage projects.
  • Coordinate with Flood Control District projects to achieve dual-purpose investments.
  • Use maintenance roads where feasible to support trail connectivity.
  • Design flood mitigation facilities as public amenities.
  • Require developments adjacent to the river corridor to:
    • Front open space and trails
    • Provide visual and physical access to the river
    • Include trail connections through redevelopment sites
    • Maintain view corridors
  • Avoid creating barriers such as long walls and fenced edges
  • Create a Rio Reimagined signage system that is consistent across all participating communities, including:
    • Trail wayfinding
    • Mileage markers
    • Cultural history
    • Tribal heritage
    • Ecology and wildlife interpretation
    • Public art integration
  •  
  • Recognizable corridor identity and branding strategy
  • Construct highly visible demonstration projects that showcase the vision.
  • Prioritize locations that can be implemented quickly on publicly-owned land.
  • Use pilot projects to build public support and attract funding.
  • Include habitat restoration, interpretive features, and trail connectivity improvements.
  • Formalize partnerships among:
    • Rio Reimagined communities
    • Flood Control District of Maricopa County
    • Arizona State Parks
    • Arizona Game and Fish Department
    • Bureau of Land Management
    • Salt River Project
    • Tribal governments
    • Federal agencies
    • Private landowners
  • These partnerships should also establish implementation agreements for long-term maintenance and operations.
  • Expand environmental education opportunities throughout the corridor.
  • Develop:
    • Outdoor classrooms
    • Nature centers
    • Citizen science programs
    • School partnerships
    • Nature festivals
    • Guided recreation programs
  • Use programming to connect residents with the river system.
  • Position the corridor as a regional recreation destination.
  • Encourage:
    • River-oriented commercial development
    • Ecotourism
    • Bicycle tourism
    • Outdoor events
    • Nature-based recreation businesses
    • Hospitality and dining opportunities near trailheads
  • Promoting the corridor as a major economic development asset for the region
  • Establish a multi-year capital improvement program for all agency partners within the Rio Reimagined corridor.
  • Pursue:
    • Federal transportation grants
    • Recreational Trails Program funding
    • Land and Water Conservation Fund grants
    • MAG funding
    • State Parks grants
    • Public-private partnerships
    • Developer contributions
  • Implement projects in phases that focus first on the highest visibility and highest connectivity opportunities.

  • Track corridor performance through:

    • Trail mileage completed
    • Acres of habitat restored
    • Number of river access locations
    • Annual trail users
    • Economic impacts
    • Tourism spending
    • Water quality improvements
    • Community health indicators
    • Educational program participation
  • Establish a regional shade master plan for trails, parks, and access points.
  • Prioritize large-scale native tree planting in trail corridors and gathering spaces.
  • Incorporate shade structures, cooling stations, and rest areas at regular intervals.
  • Deploy heat-resilient materials and surface treatments.
  • Install drinking water stations at major trailheads and high-use locations.
  • Develop a regional safety and emergency response plan.
  • Improve lighting where appropriate near urban trail segments and trailheads.
  • Install emergency location markers and mileposts.
  • Increase visibility through vegetation management and sightline improvements.
  • Coordinate patrols among local jurisdictions and park agencies.
  • Incorporate Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles.
  • Develop corridor-wide maintenance standards across all agency partners.
  • Create sustainable funding sources for ongoing operations.
  • Define maintenance responsibilities among jurisdictions.
  • Coordinate habitat management, vegetation control, trash removal, and trail repairs.
  • Establish asset management systems to track infrastructure conditions.
  • Use the river corridor as a transportation spine connecting communities.
  • Prioritize bicycle and pedestrian connections to employment centers and transit hubs.
  • Install bicycle repair stations and mobility hubs.
  • Improve crossings at major roadways, canals, rail corridors, and freeways.
  • Expand first-mile/last-mile connections to transit services.
  • Develop regional-scale destination parks along the corridor.
  • Include event lawns, river overlooks, playgrounds, nature play, and gathering spaces.
  • Create family-oriented recreation hubs that attract visitors throughout the year.
  • Consider environmental education centers as anchor destinations.
  • Establish signature destinations in underserved segments of the corridor.
  • Integrate bioswales, rain gardens, and constructed wetlands into corridor improvements.
  • Capture and reuse stormwater to support habitat restoration.
  • Enhance groundwater recharge opportunities.
  • Use river-adjacent open spaces for floodwater storage and natural treatment.
  • Demonstrate innovative low-impact development practices.
  • Identify priority land acquisition and conservation areas.
  • Protect remaining riverfront properties from incompatible development.
  • Use conservation easements where acquisition is not feasible.
  • Preserve critical wildlife corridors and riparian habitat.
  • Establish a long-term open space preservation strategy.
  • Create a “Friends of Rio Reimagined” volunteer network.
  • Organize river cleanups, habitat restoration events, and trail maintenance days.
  • Support citizen science and monitoring efforts.
  • Encourage corporate volunteer partnerships.
  • Build long-term community ownership of the corridor.
  • Coordinate annual events among participating communities.
  • Expand river festivals, outdoor recreation events, bicycle rides, and environmental education programs.
  • Create a cohesive calendar of corridor activities.
  • Promote year-round activation of parks and trails.
  • Use events to increase awareness of Rio Reimagined investments and opportunities.
  • Establish a long-term organization focused solely on corridor implementation and stewardship.
  • Coordinate fundraising, grants, sponsorships, and private investment.
  • Provide continuity across changing political administrations.
  • Support advocacy, public engagement, and project delivery.
  • Serve as the central coordinating entity for regional initiatives.
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