| Christopher Columbus Park Update
Updated 8/31/06
Welcome to the Christopher Columbus Park homepage for information on planning and development of new park improvements. This site was created in response to public input.
Christopher Columbus Park
This City of Tucson park is a nearly 350 acre park west of Silverbell Road, north of Sweetweater Road and east of the Santa Cruz River along I-10. In June 2004 the park was expanded to the north to include a 55 acre city owned parcel north of Camino del Cerro. Amenities at the park include 2 lakes, a model airplane field, parking, restrooms, ramadas, picnic tables, a play area and landscaping. Click here for a map of the park and its existing facilities.
Funding for Improvements
The voter approved 1997 Pima County bonds include $2 million for improvements at Christopher Columbus Park.
History of the Planning and Development Project
A substantial public planning process resulted in a Mayor and Council approved master plan. To see the master plan that was approved in June 2004 by Mayor and Council, click here. The public planning process included several public meetings that were organized cooperatively by the City and the County.
Funded Improvements
Currently, funding is available for improvements near the lake, along the Santa Cruz and just south of Camino del Cerro. The funded improvements are as follows: a little field, soccer field, parking, trail staging area and new entrance off of Camino del Cerro; a river park trail along the Santa Cruz that includes an equestrian trail head; a path around the lake and a maintenance facility. Pima County combined the 1997 Columbus Park bond funds with 2004 Pima County bond funds for the De Anza Trail development to fund these improvements. For a map of the funded improvements, click here. Other amenities included in the master plan are not currently funded.
Next Steps
An intergovernmental agreement between the City of Tucson and Pima County was approved in mid-February 2006. This agreement describes the scope, funding and management of the project. A design consultant is currently being hired through the County's procurement process and clearance from the State Historic Preservation Office will continue. The design consultant team, led by a landscape architect, will compile design drawings. These drawings will be permitted and then a contractor will be hired through the County's procurement process.
Schedule
The project is in the early stages of design and construction and the estimated schedule is subject to change.
IGA approval – completed mid- February
Design consultant selection – March 2006 to August 2006
Historic Preservation Clearance – March 2006 to August 2006
Design drawings – September 2006 to March 2007
Permitting and Contractor Procurement – April 2007 to October 2007
Construction – November 2007 to November 2008
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