And They’re Off!

Catalina Regional Park (CRP) is finally out of the starting gate. From February to the present the primary objectives have been access control, getting water to plants at the old Saul Pond, putting in and maintaining a wildlife drinker where the pond used to be, tooling up, and making plans future park projects.

The Catalina Regional Park’s temporary headquarters is located at 4135 E. Trotter. The phone number is (520) 818-3807. By next year, the headquarters will be moved to the A-frame house at Golder Ranch Road and Lago Del Oro Parkway.

Introducing Your Park Employees

Don Carter is the new CRP Park Manager. He has worked for Pima County Natural Resources for 8 ½ years. Prior to his appointment as the CRP Park Manager, Don was a Senior Natural Resource Specialist and a Park Ranger/Park Police Officer. Don has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arizona in Renewable Natural Resources. His major was in wildlife ecology with a minor in fire ecology. Prior to going back to school at age 34, Don was a firefighter with Rincon Valley Fire District, a trail crew leader with the National Park Service, electronics technician at IBM, and a U.S. paratrooper in the United States Army.

Ed Neier has worked with Natural Resources, Parks, and Recreation for twelve years. Prior to working for us, he worked for the State of Arizona’s Natural Resources Department. Originally from Montana, Ed loves the outdoors. He has explored, hiked, and hunted in every mountain range in Southern Arizona. He truly is a “Mountain Man”, and we are very lucky to have him on board.

Tom Shaw has worked for Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, and Recreation for several years at Catalina Park. Tom is community minded and has a positive effect wherever he goes. His efforts have been, and are, greatly appreciated.

Organizing the Park

Catalina Regional Park is a long and narrow park that follows the Canada Del Oro (CDO) Wash flood plain. The property is owned by Pima County Flood Control District and is managed by Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, and Recreation. Because different portions of the park are going to have different uses, it was decided that the park should be broken down into four management areas as follows: 

• Area one is at the northern most end of the park and will primarily be used as a trail linkage to the CDO Wash and the 50 Year Trail.
• Area two is just north of Golder Ranch Road and includes the White Dog Ranch. The local 4-H will likely have a management agreement for the ranch and will hold livestock and animal shows at the facility. A portion of this area will be used for other public events. It will have a parking lot that will include a parking area for horse trailers. Also, there will be a small children’s park and restrooms near Golder Ranch Road and Lago Del Oro Parkway.
• Area three extends south from Golder Ranch Road to Rollins Road. Area three will be rehabilitated as a meso-riparian habitat, and it will eventually have trails for horseback riders, hikers, and mountain bikers. 
• Area four is the area south of Rollins Road to the Pima Pistol Range and is considered important habitat for wildlife. A plan is in progress to modify the pond (which is now dry) into a wetland area for birds and other wildlife. Eventually, threatened and endangered species will be introduced into the wetland area. Because area four is considered important habitat, limited public activities will occur in it. Once the wetland is completed, environmental education programs will be conducted there and interpretive foot trails will be developed.

What About Those Weeds?

Since the park’s establishment, the most persistent question has been, “What is the county going to do about those weeds?” Pima County Natural Resources recognizes the need to mitigate potential allergy and fire sources and is in the process of doing so. The areas that pose the greatest fire risk to life and property are being dealt with first. 

Fire Management

Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, and Recreation has been actively working with the Golder Ranch Fire Department, Arizona State Land Department, Coronado National Forest, the Catalina Village Council, and numerous other agencies, organizations, and individuals, to develop the Catalina Community Wildfire Protection Plan. What does this mean to the Catalina residence? It means that if and when a fire occurs in Catalina Regional Park, emergency response agencies will be better prepared to handle the situation. This preparedness state will come about through fire preplanning (area familiarization) and treatment of fuels (vegetation) within the park. The primary fuel treatment will be pruning trees and thinning brush where appropriate to the wildlife habitat. The overall Catalina Community Wildfire Protection Plan extends well beyond the boundaries of the Catalina Regional Park and will soon be available for public review through the Golder Ranch Fire Department.

Fences and Trails

As many of Catalina’s residence have found, we are in the process of fencing off certain areas of the park. There has been some concern that traditional horse and hiking trails will be fenced off; this is not the case. The only areas that are currently being fenced are those that have been used for illegal off-road motor vehicle activities or illegal dumping. Some areas will be fenced for public safety, for park security, or to keep livestock out. Access to any major trails has not been blocked, but a couple of smaller trails have been rerouted so as to avoid having too many gates or entry points into or through the park. Again, the goal is to reclaim habitat and not fragment it with too many trails or fences.

How’s the White Dog Ranch Coming Along?

The two large barns at the White Dog Ranch are currently being renovated. Ed Neier has been responsible for getting the weeds and debris cleaned up at the ranch. The place is shaping up nicely! A management agreement with the local 4-H should be in place soon. The 4-H will be responsible for the day-to-day activities associated with the ranch, and Catalina Regional Park staff will oversee all of the activities at the ranch and offer assistance where needed. The 4-H will be using the facility as a “mini fairgrounds”. There will be livestock and animal shows as well as Gymkhanas and other exciting events for local kids. 

Finally, Dispelling Myths…

Q. Is it true that there are going to be large soccer fields in the park?

A. No. There was some talk years ago about putting in soccer and ball fields, but those ideas were not approved.

Q. Is Pima County going to put a dirt bike track in the park?

A. No. There are no plans for dirt bike tracks or any other tracks for motorized vehicles.The idea has been kicked around about possibly allowing a small bicycle trail for beginner mountain bikers and BMX riders at the north end of the park, but no decision has been made

Q. Are there going to be ball field lights at the equestrian center?

A. No. However, smaller arena lights (that would make it possible for the 4-H to hold night events in the summer) might be considered at a later time if approved by the community.

Q. Will fishing be allowed in the wetland area when it is completed?

A. No, fishing will not be allowed for two reasons. First, Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, and Recreation does not allow fishing on any of its properties. Second, the only fish in the small pond will be Gila Topminnows and Desert Pup fishes that are about 1-2 inches long. Both of these species are endangered. 

Q. Is the county going to fence off the entire park with 4-strand barbwire?

A. No, only areas that need to be fenced to protect the resources or the public will be fenced. When Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, and Recreation installs 4-strand wire fences, barbwire is only used in the middle and smooth wire is used on the top and the bottom strands of the fence. This fence design is recommended by Arizona Game & Fish. However, where possible only smooth wire will be used. Post and cable fence will be used in some areas as long as funding is available.