THE HEALTH AND HERITAGe TRAIL - Jefferson Park
Linear Park Committee established February 2026
June 9, 2020 Meeting with Neighbors,Ward III, Parks and Rec
June 9, 2020 Linear Park Meeting Present: Parks and Recreation: Joe O’Neill, Greg Jackson
Ward III: Matt Kopec
JP Neighbors: Colleen Nichols, Rosemary Bolza, Dorothy Richmond, Laurel-Heather Milden, Maria Voris, Joanne Osuna, Bob Schlanger SAMOS Neighborhood: BAM Miller Catalina Vista: unknown Catalina Vista biker?
Contractor is M. Anderson. They appear to be ideal for this project, very experienced.
Start: Hope that the project will begin in July. Expected duration of project 90-120 days. Once Joe has notified contractor of approval and they have obtained necessary permits, Joe will notify Colleen and Joan Daniels.
The irrigation and plants have been reduced 20% due to budget shortage. Original budget amount was $10,000 and has been reduced to $8,000 by reducing plants and irrigation. The plant selection remains the same. All native plants. It was asked if they could notify us of which plants would be eliminated. No specific reply. Yes, they will send to Joan and Colleen. Maria Voris will review the plant material and provide suggestions for possible reductions. The selection might be changed with project progress. Additional plants and/or irrigation can be added in the future. The primary straight line irrigation running the length of the park has not been changed, but emitters and other accessories have been reduced in the interest of the budget shortage. Trees for Tucson has no trees available for our use.
Questions regarding planting by residents need to wait until the actual construction is completed. Joe is working with Transportation regarding the historic signs, as he thinks that Transportation can make the signs for much less than Fossil. Transportation gave him a quote of $65.00. Showed us a sample of the material of the signs.
Regarding the bases for the signs, Bob Schlanger states that he can fabricate the sign bases for approximately $200, and then donate them to the neighborhood. Joe said that he will email Bob a photo of the bases, and also suggested that he look at the sign bases at La Pilita as an example. Parks and Rec would handle the installation.
There is no funding for the park name sign, but they are not opposed to it. If/when the sign is installed, location, plans, and permits are necessary beforehand.
Park naming requires that we follow a process. Joe will send information to Colleen. We must file an application, and approval required of Mayor and Council. The path will be made of stabilized decomposed granite (DG). The DG is approximately a 3” layer, and the path will be slightly below grade. There will be no steel edging. Prior, we were told that it was too expensive, and that is still the case. Previously boulders were included in the plans, and they remain a part of the plans. Joe will find some examples, and email them to Colleen and Joan.
Crosswalk between Fremont and Santa Rita will be an asphalt overlay slightly above roadway, and with a nubby surface. Benches will be installed by Parks and Rec. We will proceed with the benches with no backs to discourage loitering. There will be no tables. They will install a water/dog fountain and trashcan. Trashcan may be anchored to prevent its being overturned. (notes: J. Osuna)
Ward III: Matt Kopec
JP Neighbors: Colleen Nichols, Rosemary Bolza, Dorothy Richmond, Laurel-Heather Milden, Maria Voris, Joanne Osuna, Bob Schlanger SAMOS Neighborhood: BAM Miller Catalina Vista: unknown Catalina Vista biker?
Contractor is M. Anderson. They appear to be ideal for this project, very experienced.
Start: Hope that the project will begin in July. Expected duration of project 90-120 days. Once Joe has notified contractor of approval and they have obtained necessary permits, Joe will notify Colleen and Joan Daniels.
The irrigation and plants have been reduced 20% due to budget shortage. Original budget amount was $10,000 and has been reduced to $8,000 by reducing plants and irrigation. The plant selection remains the same. All native plants. It was asked if they could notify us of which plants would be eliminated. No specific reply. Yes, they will send to Joan and Colleen. Maria Voris will review the plant material and provide suggestions for possible reductions. The selection might be changed with project progress. Additional plants and/or irrigation can be added in the future. The primary straight line irrigation running the length of the park has not been changed, but emitters and other accessories have been reduced in the interest of the budget shortage. Trees for Tucson has no trees available for our use.
Questions regarding planting by residents need to wait until the actual construction is completed. Joe is working with Transportation regarding the historic signs, as he thinks that Transportation can make the signs for much less than Fossil. Transportation gave him a quote of $65.00. Showed us a sample of the material of the signs.
Regarding the bases for the signs, Bob Schlanger states that he can fabricate the sign bases for approximately $200, and then donate them to the neighborhood. Joe said that he will email Bob a photo of the bases, and also suggested that he look at the sign bases at La Pilita as an example. Parks and Rec would handle the installation.
There is no funding for the park name sign, but they are not opposed to it. If/when the sign is installed, location, plans, and permits are necessary beforehand.
Park naming requires that we follow a process. Joe will send information to Colleen. We must file an application, and approval required of Mayor and Council. The path will be made of stabilized decomposed granite (DG). The DG is approximately a 3” layer, and the path will be slightly below grade. There will be no steel edging. Prior, we were told that it was too expensive, and that is still the case. Previously boulders were included in the plans, and they remain a part of the plans. Joe will find some examples, and email them to Colleen and Joan.
Crosswalk between Fremont and Santa Rita will be an asphalt overlay slightly above roadway, and with a nubby surface. Benches will be installed by Parks and Rec. We will proceed with the benches with no backs to discourage loitering. There will be no tables. They will install a water/dog fountain and trashcan. Trashcan may be anchored to prevent its being overturned. (notes: J. Osuna)
Nov 26, 2019 -Meeting with Parks/Rec and Ward III
Grant Road Coalition, Central Segments * November 26, 2019
Guest: Joe O’Neil, Parks and Recreation project manager Present: Ward III, Durham, Mahon, Kopek; SAMOS- B. Miller Jefferson Park-D. Frank, J. Osuna, R. Bolza, J. Daniels, Y. Lorch, C. Prey, S. Trappman, B. Schlanger, C. Nichols, D. Richmond Sugar Hill – A. Vargas
TOPIC: Linear Park – Health and Heritage Trail – Jefferson Park BUDGET: Greg Jackson will be in charge of grant budget. About $225,000 + $20,000 left in budget. Approximately $25,000 already spent on planning, designing, preliminary expenses.
SEATING/AMENITIES Per our earlier discussion at our meeting with Joe, we asked that rather than exercise equipment, some research could be done about providing items that children could use for play or climbing. He included some possible choices of concrete animal and climbing structures. We liked them – he will do some more research to see what he can find. We had expressed desire to not have metal seating. Examples of reinforced concrete seating were shown, About 60” long, divided with a concrete divider so they are too short for sleeping! Joe will continue to do more research on what would be suitable.
SPECIFICATIONS: Berms will be 3-4 feet high. Path will be decomposed granite. Bob was concerned that there would be no steel edging, but Joe said it was quite expensive, and if the DG begins to shift or deteriorate with time, they will apply some new sealant. Remainder surfaces in park will be larger rocks, presumably to keep DG from dispersing. All vegetation will be preserved or moved if viable., as noted on the plans. The crosswalk at Fremont will have a colored asphalt overlay applied Any work or grading in the alley is not included, as the park goes only up to the property line SIGNAGE: Interpretative Signs (5) Joe is going to see if their in-house sign people can duplicate what Fossil did on the La Pilita signs, and how costs would compare. If they can’t do it, it will be given to Fossil. Still some discussion about the location of sign/signs. Joan had concerns about the accuracy of historical signage, requesting a review of the draft versions. Joe says they can be sent to the Historical office to check for absolute accuracy. Bids on the metal bases for the signs have ranged from $750-$1500. Jason Butler, who did the metal work for the Banner parklet, is interested in bidding. Joe will be sending it to 5 contractors for bids. Naming Sign (1) Joe is fine with our tiled park sign, and as long as it isn’t more than 6 feet high it won’t be a problem. It will be mounted on brick or stone, and those costs will be put out for bid. Joe will also drop by the park and give some thought about where the sign should be located.
NORTH SIDE OF FREMONT TO SANTA RITA DESIGN: Regarding the area of the linear park which will be lost with Phase 5-6 of Grant road widening, it was distressing to see how much of the park would be lost. Bob was concerned about basically wasting money on design and construction if it would be lost in the future. Joe says that TDOT cannot leave the area as empty dirt, but any improvements would be on “TDOT’s dime”. The issue of losing part of the park has not really ever been under discussion it appears. The current design would cause a loss both berms and one section of the path. This hasn’t really been brought up with Joe previously, and he said that he will talk with TDOT about it. (See maps and comments at end of these minutes)
SCHEDULING: November 2019 - Plans sent out for review and comments. Wheat designs will respond, and plans will be resubmitted for permitting next week. December 2019 - Plans will go out to bid in late December. Once bids are in, we will be able to select colors for the seating. Nothing bright or neon! Anticipate a contractor on board the end of January. Contractor selected will be able to do everything, including grading and water.
February 2020– Contractor on site June 2020 - Project will take 3-4 months. Have to tap into water source, set up drip irrigation. Irrigation will be all “hard line” and on controllers. Parks and Rec will be in charge of watering and schedule. Follow-up business Meeting Nick Mahon asked to investigate the possibility of erecting a city sign indicating park bonds at work Grant Rd Coalition to consider funding a banner thanking the entities
Neighborhood Reports o SAMOS planted 27 trees o SAMOS reports that Mtn/First had successful Porch Fest Next Coalition meeting in February. December and January cancelled
Attached: Detail of comments on design of north side of Fremont to Santa Rita Mr O’Neil and Grant Road Coalition: First, We would like to thank Mr O’Neil for his informative presentation and the neighborhoods and Ward III staff who attended the meeting on Nov 11, 2019. We would like to detail the concerns about the Wheat Design for the block Fremont to Santa Rita. We ask that the design consider the area above the dotted line which is scheduled for demolition in 10 years. We ask that reality be considered and that we be fiscally responsible about the future costs of remodeling the trail.
BERMS: The berm areas (red) and the basin areas (blue) - If this coloring is correct the following should be considered 1) In 10 years the park will lose 50% of the berms which are designed to mitigate the noise and visual distress of the encroaching road. If the design took that into consideration, the central berm, shown adjacent to the road, should be moved south. There is no guarantee that future TDOT construction would ameliorate the loss of that berm. 2) One of the water basins will extend into the cut area
EXPENSIVE DG PATHWAY
EXERCISE STATIONS WHICH WE HAVE NOW AGREED TO TRANSFORM INTO CLIMBING/SEATING SITES:
VEGETATION:
Guest: Joe O’Neil, Parks and Recreation project manager Present: Ward III, Durham, Mahon, Kopek; SAMOS- B. Miller Jefferson Park-D. Frank, J. Osuna, R. Bolza, J. Daniels, Y. Lorch, C. Prey, S. Trappman, B. Schlanger, C. Nichols, D. Richmond Sugar Hill – A. Vargas
TOPIC: Linear Park – Health and Heritage Trail – Jefferson Park BUDGET: Greg Jackson will be in charge of grant budget. About $225,000 + $20,000 left in budget. Approximately $25,000 already spent on planning, designing, preliminary expenses.
SEATING/AMENITIES Per our earlier discussion at our meeting with Joe, we asked that rather than exercise equipment, some research could be done about providing items that children could use for play or climbing. He included some possible choices of concrete animal and climbing structures. We liked them – he will do some more research to see what he can find. We had expressed desire to not have metal seating. Examples of reinforced concrete seating were shown, About 60” long, divided with a concrete divider so they are too short for sleeping! Joe will continue to do more research on what would be suitable.
SPECIFICATIONS: Berms will be 3-4 feet high. Path will be decomposed granite. Bob was concerned that there would be no steel edging, but Joe said it was quite expensive, and if the DG begins to shift or deteriorate with time, they will apply some new sealant. Remainder surfaces in park will be larger rocks, presumably to keep DG from dispersing. All vegetation will be preserved or moved if viable., as noted on the plans. The crosswalk at Fremont will have a colored asphalt overlay applied Any work or grading in the alley is not included, as the park goes only up to the property line SIGNAGE: Interpretative Signs (5) Joe is going to see if their in-house sign people can duplicate what Fossil did on the La Pilita signs, and how costs would compare. If they can’t do it, it will be given to Fossil. Still some discussion about the location of sign/signs. Joan had concerns about the accuracy of historical signage, requesting a review of the draft versions. Joe says they can be sent to the Historical office to check for absolute accuracy. Bids on the metal bases for the signs have ranged from $750-$1500. Jason Butler, who did the metal work for the Banner parklet, is interested in bidding. Joe will be sending it to 5 contractors for bids. Naming Sign (1) Joe is fine with our tiled park sign, and as long as it isn’t more than 6 feet high it won’t be a problem. It will be mounted on brick or stone, and those costs will be put out for bid. Joe will also drop by the park and give some thought about where the sign should be located.
NORTH SIDE OF FREMONT TO SANTA RITA DESIGN: Regarding the area of the linear park which will be lost with Phase 5-6 of Grant road widening, it was distressing to see how much of the park would be lost. Bob was concerned about basically wasting money on design and construction if it would be lost in the future. Joe says that TDOT cannot leave the area as empty dirt, but any improvements would be on “TDOT’s dime”. The issue of losing part of the park has not really ever been under discussion it appears. The current design would cause a loss both berms and one section of the path. This hasn’t really been brought up with Joe previously, and he said that he will talk with TDOT about it. (See maps and comments at end of these minutes)
SCHEDULING: November 2019 - Plans sent out for review and comments. Wheat designs will respond, and plans will be resubmitted for permitting next week. December 2019 - Plans will go out to bid in late December. Once bids are in, we will be able to select colors for the seating. Nothing bright or neon! Anticipate a contractor on board the end of January. Contractor selected will be able to do everything, including grading and water.
February 2020– Contractor on site June 2020 - Project will take 3-4 months. Have to tap into water source, set up drip irrigation. Irrigation will be all “hard line” and on controllers. Parks and Rec will be in charge of watering and schedule. Follow-up business Meeting Nick Mahon asked to investigate the possibility of erecting a city sign indicating park bonds at work Grant Rd Coalition to consider funding a banner thanking the entities
Neighborhood Reports o SAMOS planted 27 trees o SAMOS reports that Mtn/First had successful Porch Fest Next Coalition meeting in February. December and January cancelled
Attached: Detail of comments on design of north side of Fremont to Santa Rita Mr O’Neil and Grant Road Coalition: First, We would like to thank Mr O’Neil for his informative presentation and the neighborhoods and Ward III staff who attended the meeting on Nov 11, 2019. We would like to detail the concerns about the Wheat Design for the block Fremont to Santa Rita. We ask that the design consider the area above the dotted line which is scheduled for demolition in 10 years. We ask that reality be considered and that we be fiscally responsible about the future costs of remodeling the trail.
BERMS: The berm areas (red) and the basin areas (blue) - If this coloring is correct the following should be considered 1) In 10 years the park will lose 50% of the berms which are designed to mitigate the noise and visual distress of the encroaching road. If the design took that into consideration, the central berm, shown adjacent to the road, should be moved south. There is no guarantee that future TDOT construction would ameliorate the loss of that berm. 2) One of the water basins will extend into the cut area
EXPENSIVE DG PATHWAY
- 1) A second diverging DG pathway extends up into the projected “take area”, unnecessarily. Note that the UA designs did not extend a pathway beyond the demarcation lines. Those plans were viewed and tentatively approved as concepts by the neighborhoods (see one UA proposal below)
- 2) About 30% of the expensive DG pathway will be demolished
- 3) Redesigning and eliminating the cost of the extra 30% of the pathway would help with the budget One of 6 UA designs reviewed by the neighborhoods (2017) and Tucson Clean and Beautiful. Neighborhoods understood that these designs were suggestions, an exercise of the Graduate Architecture class. However, these pictures clearly took into account the future demolition of the northern triangle. Subsequently, Wheat Designs incorporated the northern “take area’ triangle into their design.
EXERCISE STATIONS WHICH WE HAVE NOW AGREED TO TRANSFORM INTO CLIMBING/SEATING SITES:
- 1) The pictured exercise station are in the “take” area and are next to Santa Rita Avenue
- 2) Since we are considering them to be changed to seating/climbing possibly for youth, it is advisable that that entity be moved south and away from the streets
VEGETATION:
- 1) Several of the trees in the “take area” are of the larger 25 gallon varieties.
- 2) Moving the larger tree plantings south of the “take area” would be a better use of $. The triangle “take area” could be landscaped with the less expensive but attractive plants—especially of the drought tolerant kind.
- 3) Irrigation system locations might take into consideration the eventual cut off of the watering system north of the line. At the Nov 7 meeting, I want to apologize for not making these comments at the Nov 7 meeting with Wheat Design present. We did not notice then, the demarcation line. I think the UA “picture” overshadowed our ability to evaluate the current design. At the Nov 26 meeting, We should not have assumed that TDOT would redesign the park in ten years at their expense. With all the concern about future $ and with no assurance that TDOT would have the funding, or the will, to “fix” the park we should design carefully now. It feels fiscally irresponsible not to plan for longer than 10 years. If we now can, with simple design changes, accommodate the inevitable, create a permanent park with tree and berm placements that will last, it is incumbent upon us to do so.
2019, January - vision statement
2018 Jefferson Park Proposal for signage