RIO VISTA NATURAL RESOURCE PARK
• Planting Event at Park, October 5, 2024
* Planting Event at Park, September 21, 2024
* Monsoon rains have transformed Rio Vista Natural Resource Park, August 2024
• Meet Matt and Catlow, May 2024• Photo Gallery, April/May 2024
* Wishing Tom Fisher the Best, September 2023
* Updated Map Panel, August 15, 2023
* Update from Tom Fisher, Project Manager, June 2, 2023
* Overview and Next Steps, April 2023
* Rio Vista Master Plan Is Approved, March 21, 2023
• Updated Master Plan, November 2022
• Meeting with Councilmember Kevin Dahl, Ward 3 Office, November 1, 2022
• Unveiling of Parks and Recreation Department's Draft Master Plan, September 7, 2022
• Walk-through Meeting with Elise Gornish, May 23, 2022
• Walk-through Meeting with Parks and Rec, May 20, 2022
• A Walk in the Park One Day in May
• Kick-Off Meeting with Parks and Recreation, April 20, 2022
• Park News
• What is a Natural Resource Park?
• Park History
• How You Can Help Our Park
• Affiliated Organizations
• Planting Event at Park, October 5, 2024
* Planting Event at Park, September 21, 2024
* Monsoon rains have transformed Rio Vista Natural Resource Park, August 2024
• Meet Matt and Catlow, May 2024• Photo Gallery, April/May 2024
* Wishing Tom Fisher the Best, September 2023
* Updated Map Panel, August 15, 2023
* Update from Tom Fisher, Project Manager, June 2, 2023
* Overview and Next Steps, April 2023
* Rio Vista Master Plan Is Approved, March 21, 2023
• Updated Master Plan, November 2022
• Meeting with Councilmember Kevin Dahl, Ward 3 Office, November 1, 2022
• Unveiling of Parks and Recreation Department's Draft Master Plan, September 7, 2022
• Walk-through Meeting with Elise Gornish, May 23, 2022
• Walk-through Meeting with Parks and Rec, May 20, 2022
• A Walk in the Park One Day in May
• Kick-Off Meeting with Parks and Recreation, April 20, 2022
• Park News
• What is a Natural Resource Park?
• Park History
• How You Can Help Our Park
• Affiliated Organizations
For the second planting event, volunteers showed up to help plant and learn about the park. And, it was hot!
Carianne Funicelli of Strategic Habitat Enhancements instructs the volunteers.
It was ninety degrees by 9 a.m., but we had the Catalinas––and even a few horses––as a backdrop while digging the holes.
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Carianne Funicelli assists Murray and Sue DeArmond placing the spaghetti lines around a cat's claw. |
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Matt Christman, Parks and Rec’s project manager, helps make cages.
About 25 neighbors, friends, and staff convened at Rio Vista on Saturday the 21st to help beautify the main entrance of the park with trees and small plants. The plants were selected by Carianne Funicelli of Strategic Habitat Enhancements (SHE), https://www.strategichabitats.com/, who is on contract to design the native restoration plantings for the park. The plants including native trees like Desert willow, Screwbean mesquite, and Canyon hackberry as well as native plants including ocotillo, Thurber’s desert honeysuckle, desert milkweed, desert lavender and more are drought resistant and were raised locally. The drip irrigation from the existing system was extended to each plant.
Under the direction of Carianne with support from Watershed Management Group project staff, the group was split up into three groups: one for planting trees, one for planting small plants, and one for making wire cages. With varying skills but all with the same eagerness and goal to help their beloved park, the teams got to work. By the end of three hours, the teams were experts!
More planting restoration events are scheduled for Saturday mornings on Oct 5, Nov 2, and Nov 30 in different focus areas of the park, so come out and enjoy the camaraderie. Visit https://watershedmg.org/event to register.
Under the direction of Carianne with support from Watershed Management Group project staff, the group was split up into three groups: one for planting trees, one for planting small plants, and one for making wire cages. With varying skills but all with the same eagerness and goal to help their beloved park, the teams got to work. By the end of three hours, the teams were experts!
More planting restoration events are scheduled for Saturday mornings on Oct 5, Nov 2, and Nov 30 in different focus areas of the park, so come out and enjoy the camaraderie. Visit https://watershedmg.org/event to register.
Carianne explains what everyone will be doing.
With over four inches of rain so far this summer, our park has been transformed. The timing could not have been better. The work by Parks and Rec and the teams that Watershed Management brought in made it possible to capture all this lovely rain. Not only are we are giddy with excitement over how beautiful the park looks, but also the wildlife and plants are happy!
Visit our NEWS page to read WMG article in their quarterly newsletter. And read more about the Park in our RillitoBend Rambles blog!
photos by Jim Altenstadter, Mary Bird, Estelle Stern-Eilers, Sue Ann Breems
Visit our NEWS page to read WMG article in their quarterly newsletter. And read more about the Park in our RillitoBend Rambles blog!
photos by Jim Altenstadter, Mary Bird, Estelle Stern-Eilers, Sue Ann Breems
Matthew Christman
Matt was hired in early November 2023 as a Project Manager for Tucson’s Parks & Recreation Department. Rio Vista is one of seven projects that he currently manages. The Rio Vista project came about because the City of Tucson voters approved Proposition 407 in November 2018, a $225 million bond package aimed for capital improvements. Approximately $330K of the monies is earmarked for Rio Vista, and we have been closely watching the progress.
Matt is originally from Wisconsin but calls Arizona his home. He has worked for over ten years in Parks and Recreation departments, seven of which were for Marana’s Park System. He is happy to be back in Arizona (after a few years in Texas and South Carolina). He has picked up where Tom Fisher left off, managing all aspects of the park's implementation plan—from upgrading the natural aspects to improving the signage, fencing, irrigation and more. He has been very responsive to neighbors' requests, a real team player. The project is on schedule and under budget, so we are thrilled to have him on board!
Matt was hired in early November 2023 as a Project Manager for Tucson’s Parks & Recreation Department. Rio Vista is one of seven projects that he currently manages. The Rio Vista project came about because the City of Tucson voters approved Proposition 407 in November 2018, a $225 million bond package aimed for capital improvements. Approximately $330K of the monies is earmarked for Rio Vista, and we have been closely watching the progress.
Matt is originally from Wisconsin but calls Arizona his home. He has worked for over ten years in Parks and Recreation departments, seven of which were for Marana’s Park System. He is happy to be back in Arizona (after a few years in Texas and South Carolina). He has picked up where Tom Fisher left off, managing all aspects of the park's implementation plan—from upgrading the natural aspects to improving the signage, fencing, irrigation and more. He has been very responsive to neighbors' requests, a real team player. The project is on schedule and under budget, so we are thrilled to have him on board!
Catlow Shipek
Many of you may have seen Catlow biking or jogging in the neighborhood. His love of the outdoors and the environment permeates his life both at home and at work. As Senior Program Director at Watershed Management Group, Catlow takes his passion for saving our planet seriously. His home next to Rio Vista is a model for Sonoran Desert living. He bikes or takes the bus and doesn’t own a car. His knowledge of applied watershed management, planning and policy specializing in urban applications like water harvesting, green infrastructure, stream restoration, and eco-sanitation is extensive.
Catlow has assembled a fantastic team of local restoration experts passionate about their work.
◦ The excavators. Jeff Rhody from Dryland Design is a local landscaper specializing in water harvesting and making the world more sustainable.
◦ The trails people. Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC) is renowned for connecting young adults and recent vets with conservation service work. They work in almost any terrain.
◦ The plant/habitat people. Tucson Audubon has started work of removing invasive plants such as Rhus lancea (African sumac). They will be back in October. And Carianne Funicelli of Strategic Habitat Enhancements (SHE) who designed the planting, will begin seeding and leading volunteers with planting in late August.
What a dream team!
Many of you may have seen Catlow biking or jogging in the neighborhood. His love of the outdoors and the environment permeates his life both at home and at work. As Senior Program Director at Watershed Management Group, Catlow takes his passion for saving our planet seriously. His home next to Rio Vista is a model for Sonoran Desert living. He bikes or takes the bus and doesn’t own a car. His knowledge of applied watershed management, planning and policy specializing in urban applications like water harvesting, green infrastructure, stream restoration, and eco-sanitation is extensive.
Catlow has assembled a fantastic team of local restoration experts passionate about their work.
◦ The excavators. Jeff Rhody from Dryland Design is a local landscaper specializing in water harvesting and making the world more sustainable.
◦ The trails people. Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC) is renowned for connecting young adults and recent vets with conservation service work. They work in almost any terrain.
◦ The plant/habitat people. Tucson Audubon has started work of removing invasive plants such as Rhus lancea (African sumac). They will be back in October. And Carianne Funicelli of Strategic Habitat Enhancements (SHE) who designed the planting, will begin seeding and leading volunteers with planting in late August.
What a dream team!
With the rollout of the plan by Parks & Rec on April 18th, work began in earnest on April 22nd. This photo gallery captures some of the action that has taken place in the park since the meeting.
Matt Christman, Project Manager, presents plan to the neighborhood, April 18, 2024
Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC)
Rocks lining trail nodes
Catlow Shipek updates neighbors at Quarterly RBNA Meeting, May 18th.
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Catlow Shipek with Vice Mayor and Ward 3 Council Member Kevin Dahl
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We want to acknowledge all the wonderful work Tom Fisher did for us and the park. His last day was in late August. We are waiting to hear who will be replacing him.
Here is the latest draft of the map panel for Rio Vista. |
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Signage
Attached is a draft sign frame which is based on your collective feedback over the last few months. We decided to keep it simple and go with a two-post frame made out of steel with rust finish to match what is already in the park. I added a decorative mountain motif at the top but we can remove or change if needed. Maybe horse shoes or animal cut-out? Just trying to give it a unique look. I met on site with with one of our contractors Bill Baker who does fencing and signage. We walked the park to check locations of proposed signage and he will give me a quote for 10 frames (7 locations of which 3 will have double sign frames). We can add or subtract locations after I get the quote and we finalize the scope of work. I also asked for a quote to add some smooth-wire fencing along NE corner of park and remove several old posts with barbed wire in the middle of the park. We need to eliminate those potential hazards and liability for injury. Also attached is the draft park rules sign which has been modified to include a few things specific to this park. The entry sign will need to be in both english and spanish per our City standards. A second sign has been proposed by this group to show the park map in a more artistic design with more informal rules and information to orient users. I will be working with a graphic designer/sign company soon to get them going on a draft. Once we have an initial design (a few weeks?) I will send that to you for review. Trail and Landscape Improvements I met with Catlow on site yesterday to discuss final changes to the plans based on your collective feeedback. Overall, everyone is in 95% agreement on trail closures, trail upgrades, and trail sharing strategies. Once Catlow makes the next round of plan edits I will get that to you for review. We are getting super close to finishing the plans for bidding. An accessible trail has been identified to meet federal ADA requirements. We will also identify recommended equestrian trails and share that during the next review. The other component which we haven't discussed yet is the landscape plans being developed by Carianne/Strategic Habitat Enhancements. We will hold another meeting to review with the landscape plans with the draft trail network plans. Perhaps later this month. Timeframe If we can wrap up the trail and landscape plans by end of June then I can bid them out for construction by early July. If there is agreement on the sign frames and cost proposal, then I can get that work under contract in a few weeks. Please provide comment on the above. |
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Tom Fisher, Project Manager, submitted the attached document April 7th.
At the March 21st Mayor and Council Meeting, the Rio Vista Master Plan was approved.
Now the work begins!
At right: RBNA President, Lindy Brigham, addresses the Mayor and Council. She thanked Parks and Recreation and the Ward 3 Office for their support.
Now the work begins!
At right: RBNA President, Lindy Brigham, addresses the Mayor and Council. She thanked Parks and Recreation and the Ward 3 Office for their support.
The Tucson Parks and Recreation Department has updated the Rio Vista Master Plan in response to feedback received and in preparation for the Tucson Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting on November 30, 2022. Read the entire document here:
On November 1st, Lindy Brigham, Jennifer Shopland, David Tiers and Mary Bird met with Councilmember Kevin Dahl and Council Aide CJ Boyd to discuss reasons for removing the dog enclosure from Rio Vista’s master plan. Kevin started off the meeting stating that the “dog park is off the list and off the budget.” CJ confirmed with Parks and Rec that it is only mentioned in the survey and nowhere else in the master plan.
Please visit NEWS/EVENTS tab for the story.
On Monday May 23rd, we met with Elise Gornish for a walk-through of Rio Vista Park . Our goal for the meeting was to figure out a strategy for restoring the vegetation at Rio Vista and to gather some ideas.
Elise Gornish is a restoration ecologist who works for the UofA School of Natural Resources and the Environment. Her job is to help people like us, and that is what she did. She is full of useful and fantastic information. The meeting will, no doubt, be one of many.
Some of the main messages to us are:
• We cannot do it all at once.
• We need to pick areas that have increased chances of surviving, areas such as under established trees (islands of fertility) or areas where water is apt to flow.
• We should pick a visible area, call it out to the visitor, make it an educational opportunity.
• We need to choose plants that grow quickly: mesquite and desert broom, for eg.
• A candidate species list will be created using the tool on ecorestore.arizona.edu.
• Once shrubs have been established, seed.
• Cactus make great barriers.
• Reach out to local nurseries and non-profits for plants and labor. Some of the organizations mentioned: Tucson Audubon, Bat Conservation International, Pima Prickly Park, Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society, and HawkWatch International.
Elise Gornish is a restoration ecologist who works for the UofA School of Natural Resources and the Environment. Her job is to help people like us, and that is what she did. She is full of useful and fantastic information. The meeting will, no doubt, be one of many.
Some of the main messages to us are:
• We cannot do it all at once.
• We need to pick areas that have increased chances of surviving, areas such as under established trees (islands of fertility) or areas where water is apt to flow.
• We should pick a visible area, call it out to the visitor, make it an educational opportunity.
• We need to choose plants that grow quickly: mesquite and desert broom, for eg.
• A candidate species list will be created using the tool on ecorestore.arizona.edu.
• Once shrubs have been established, seed.
• Cactus make great barriers.
• Reach out to local nurseries and non-profits for plants and labor. Some of the organizations mentioned: Tucson Audubon, Bat Conservation International, Pima Prickly Park, Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society, and HawkWatch International.
Lindy, Elise, Linda and Estelle strutting under the hot sun. The Ladies of Rio Vista!
Educate and get the public involved.
• Signage should inform and provide a reason why a trail is closed, for eg.
• Engage the visitor (a potential citizen scientist) in documenting a selected site by taking photos and uploading them to create a visual timeline of the site’s growth.
• Create workshops on ways to help the park. One fun workshop idea, which Elise has offered to run, is to create seed balls. Seed balls are made of mud, seed and organic matter like horse manure. We’ve decided to name the activity “poop pourri”. Hope to see you there (in July before the monsoons)!
For more about information about Elise’s work, visit https://www.gornishlab.com/
• Signage should inform and provide a reason why a trail is closed, for eg.
• Engage the visitor (a potential citizen scientist) in documenting a selected site by taking photos and uploading them to create a visual timeline of the site’s growth.
• Create workshops on ways to help the park. One fun workshop idea, which Elise has offered to run, is to create seed balls. Seed balls are made of mud, seed and organic matter like horse manure. We’ve decided to name the activity “poop pourri”. Hope to see you there (in July before the monsoons)!
For more about information about Elise’s work, visit https://www.gornishlab.com/
On Friday, May 20th, a core group of RNAGers met Tom Fisher, Project Manager, COT, for a walk-through of the Park. Tom had requested this meeting to learn from us about the Park.
For the meeting, RNAG developed a map, a list of needs, and a document, “Walk-through with Parks and Recreation,” to articulate our views regarding the various elements within the Park. To view the document, click the button below. Tom welcomed the input.
For the meeting, RNAG developed a map, a list of needs, and a document, “Walk-through with Parks and Recreation,” to articulate our views regarding the various elements within the Park. To view the document, click the button below. Tom welcomed the input.
Given that the 407 monies is limited to about $330K (which includes design time), Tom recommended that the neighborhood continue to work with him so as to leave as much money as possible for actual work to be done in the Park. He will meet with the SmithGroup (the Landscape consultants) to convey our input and recommendations. The next step will be to review the draft plan the SmithGroup develops. Stay tuned!
Kick-Off Meeting with Parks and Recreation, April 20, 2022
Over fifty people attended Tucson's Department of Parks and Recreation Kick-Off Meeting. Click HERE to read all about it. RNAG (the RillitoBend Neighborhood Advocacy Group) is leading the efforts for RBNA.
PUBLIC MEETING
The City wants to hear from you about the Master Plan
for Rio Vista Natural Resource Park
Wednesday, April 20th 5pm at the Park Entrance off Tucson Blvd
for more information and to take the survey click HERE
The City wants to hear from you about the Master Plan
for Rio Vista Natural Resource Park
Wednesday, April 20th 5pm at the Park Entrance off Tucson Blvd
for more information and to take the survey click HERE
Park News
Master Planning to Start Summer/Fall 2021
The City will be creating a new Master Plan for the Park in the late Spring/early Summer 2021 which will be a "road map" moving forward. This Master Plan will provide the support we need to preserve and protect this special place.
Members of our community have been working collaboratively to prepare a draft planning preparation document that identifies the problems in the Park and opportunities to be considered in the City’s new Master Plan. We are now inviting the community to review the draft document and send suggestions in preparation with our upcoming meetings with City and its Master Planning Consultants.
The core team so far has been:
• Lindy Brigham, co-chair, is part-writer, plant person, and data specialist.
• Mary Bird, co-chair, is part-writer/editor, designer, and photographer.
• Catlow Shipek is focused on watershed issues.
• Trica Oshant Hawkins specializes in conservation, natural history and environmental education.
• Estelle Stern-Eilers is the lead point person on all things Park related.
• Murray and Sue Dearmond are our sages, knowledgeable of the neighborhood history and people. They were instrumental in advocating for Rio Vista as a natural resource park back in the 90s.
Now it is your turn!
Review the document Rio Vista Natural Resource Park - A Plan for Its Future by clicking here:
Master Planning to Start Summer/Fall 2021
The City will be creating a new Master Plan for the Park in the late Spring/early Summer 2021 which will be a "road map" moving forward. This Master Plan will provide the support we need to preserve and protect this special place.
Members of our community have been working collaboratively to prepare a draft planning preparation document that identifies the problems in the Park and opportunities to be considered in the City’s new Master Plan. We are now inviting the community to review the draft document and send suggestions in preparation with our upcoming meetings with City and its Master Planning Consultants.
The core team so far has been:
• Lindy Brigham, co-chair, is part-writer, plant person, and data specialist.
• Mary Bird, co-chair, is part-writer/editor, designer, and photographer.
• Catlow Shipek is focused on watershed issues.
• Trica Oshant Hawkins specializes in conservation, natural history and environmental education.
• Estelle Stern-Eilers is the lead point person on all things Park related.
• Murray and Sue Dearmond are our sages, knowledgeable of the neighborhood history and people. They were instrumental in advocating for Rio Vista as a natural resource park back in the 90s.
Now it is your turn!
Review the document Rio Vista Natural Resource Park - A Plan for Its Future by clicking here:
Please send your comments and suggestions to rbna@rillitobendna.org
We will keep you updated on our progress over the summer.
If you haven’t signed up for our email information list here is the form.
We will keep you updated on our progress over the summer.
If you haven’t signed up for our email information list here is the form.
American Kestrel nesting boxes in the park
Mike Shaw of HawkWatch International has installed two American Kestrel nesting boxes in the tall eucalyptus trees. The smallest of our falcons, the kestrel population has been in decline.
What is a Natural Resource Park?
A natural resource is a naturally occurring substance or feature of the environment. Natural resources can be, and often are, exploited by humans. A park connotes a place that is protected and used for enjoyment. A “natural resource park” is thus a place that protects the health of its natural resources including the vegetation, wildlife, and landscape as well as its inherent hydrologic and ecologic functions, for the enjoyment of others. At Rio Vista Natural Resource Park, its natural resources—its open space, its vegetation, and its wildlife—are protected, while also being enjoyed by visitors through passive recreation.
A natural resource is a naturally occurring substance or feature of the environment. Natural resources can be, and often are, exploited by humans. A park connotes a place that is protected and used for enjoyment. A “natural resource park” is thus a place that protects the health of its natural resources including the vegetation, wildlife, and landscape as well as its inherent hydrologic and ecologic functions, for the enjoyment of others. At Rio Vista Natural Resource Park, its natural resources—its open space, its vegetation, and its wildlife—are protected, while also being enjoyed by visitors through passive recreation.
In 1987, the City bought approximately 40 acres from residents of RIllitoBend to create a park. Initially called the North Central District Park, it was envisioned as a built-out amenity like most of Tucson’s public parks. Neighbors rallied to protect the open desert land. The process was contentious and involved many public meetings where most neighbors argued for an open, natural desert park consistent with the history and values of the surrounding neighborhood. Finally, with testimony from numerous neighbors, local newspaper articles, and editorials supporting the neighbors’ position, the City Council approved what was to become one of Tucson’s first natural resource parks. The initial plan was implemented in 1999 and represented both built-out and natural areas within the Park, a compromise between the City and the residents.
In 2008, Pima County’s General Obligation Bond money of approximately $1.5 million was used to enlarge the grassy area, install restrooms and shade structures, plant/irrigate trees, and improve the egress to the River Park Loop Trail. The Park was dedicated in 2010.
Today, roughly a quarter of the Park has built-out amenities: a playground, picnic tables, grassy field, benches, drinking fountains, a bike rack, and restrooms. The remaining three quarters of the Park are undeveloped: walking paths among mesquite, creosote, and large eucalyptus trees.
Recently, the Park has become prone to “embellishments” such as a Compassion Garden, several memorial benches and more recently a large sculpture—all of which is counter to the original concept. RillitoBend and its neighbors would like to protect the Park from seemingly random additions and miscellaneous built structures unless they speak to the inherent nature of the Park.
In 2008, Pima County’s General Obligation Bond money of approximately $1.5 million was used to enlarge the grassy area, install restrooms and shade structures, plant/irrigate trees, and improve the egress to the River Park Loop Trail. The Park was dedicated in 2010.
Today, roughly a quarter of the Park has built-out amenities: a playground, picnic tables, grassy field, benches, drinking fountains, a bike rack, and restrooms. The remaining three quarters of the Park are undeveloped: walking paths among mesquite, creosote, and large eucalyptus trees.
Recently, the Park has become prone to “embellishments” such as a Compassion Garden, several memorial benches and more recently a large sculpture—all of which is counter to the original concept. RillitoBend and its neighbors would like to protect the Park from seemingly random additions and miscellaneous built structures unless they speak to the inherent nature of the Park.
How You Can Help Our Park
Stay on the path.
Keep your dog on a leash so it, too, stays on the path.
And clean up after your pet.
These actions will go a long way to preserving our natural resource park. This desert park is in crisis—rogue paths cut across the delicate landscape; the soil is degraded; irrigation lines are broken, and habitats are diminished. We are optimistic that the Master Plan that the City is producing in 2021 will start us on the right path (not rogue!) to protecting and revitalizing our park.
If you want to support the park with weeding, cleaning and other improvements, please contact Estelle Stern-Eilers at rbna@rillitobendna.org.
There are several organizations that support the park with educational programming so consider supporting them.
Organizations Affiliated with Our Park
Archaeology Southwest
AZ Native Plant Society
Desert Archaeology
HawkWatch International
Hitching Post Ranch at Gentleman's Acres
Mattress Firm (Tucson Clean and Beautiful)
Native Seeds/SEARCH
National Phenology Network
Rio Vista Conservation Project
Southwest Monarch Study
Tucson Audubon
Tucson Village Farm
Watershed Management Group
Archaeology Southwest
AZ Native Plant Society
Desert Archaeology
HawkWatch International
Hitching Post Ranch at Gentleman's Acres
Mattress Firm (Tucson Clean and Beautiful)
Native Seeds/SEARCH
National Phenology Network
Rio Vista Conservation Project
Southwest Monarch Study
Tucson Audubon
Tucson Village Farm
Watershed Management Group
Dedication of Rio Vista Natural Resource Park, February 27, 2010
The dedication of the Rio Vista Natural Resource Park was celebrated by many residents and dignitaries including former Mayor George Miller, Ward 3 Council person Jerry Anderson, Pima County's Board of Supervisors Sharon Bronson, Jim Ronstadt of the City of Tucson's Park and Recreation Department and our Neighborhood Association's officers. It was the culmination of years of collaboration with the City to establish this natural resource park, one of the first of its kind in the City.
The ribbon cutting, l to r:
George Miller (former Mayor of Tucson); Chris Tanz (artist who created the gneiss benches in the park); man in baseball hat unknown; Jim Ronstadt (Tucson Parks and Recreation Department); John O'Hare (NA); John Kovacik (NA president); George Pettit (Ward 3 liason); Murray and Sue DeArmond (NA); Sharon Bronson (Pima County Board of Supervisors); Jerry Anderson (Ward 3 councilperson); staffer from Parks and Recreation Department