Urban Upland Trails Public Outreach - Report

Executive Summary

​The Camp Verde Trails Public Outreach Report came together as a collaboration among the Town of Camp Verde, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Arizona State University School of Geographical Science and Urban Planning. In the Town of Camp Verde General Plan, residents had identified a need to improve the Urban Uplands Trails throughout the town and to enable better connections to existing trails and key sites of interest. Around the same time, the U.S. Forest Service also expressed interest in expanding the trail system in the nearby Coconino National Forest. Students in the Master of Urban and Environmental Planning (MUEP) program were invited to assist with a public outreach program regarding these trail systems as part of their Environmental Planning class. Students developed a survey and planned a public meeting to gather feedback on some of the proposed trail plans. This report details the findings of this public outreach: It identifies areas of concern and highlights potential next steps for the Town of Camp Verde to consider before moving forward.

​Key takeaways from the results of this report include:
  • Use the survey results to develop a clear picture of trail user demographics and needs in order to match strategies in trail development to anticipated uses;
  • Ensure accessibility of the trails for all trail users, including those with limited mobility;
  • Continue to empower the public throughout these decision-making processes with clear and open communication that is supportive of participants;
  • Continue to expand public participation to include all relevant stakeholders in the community, including small businesses, property owners, and trail users; and
  • Continue to develop a Friends of the Urban Upland Trails Group to support the maintenance of the trail system.

​Also included in this report is important background information on the development of the public outreach strategy, including the kickoff meeting for the project and the creation of the survey. This information is provided to offer transparency on how this project began and how its goals were developed. Throughout this report, there are also quotes from community members who filled out the survey online or provided feedback at the public meeting. These quotes are included to underscore the human element of this trail plan and to allow the public to express in their own words their own opinion on the trail system. 

Final Report Document