By Sandi Garrick
Esmond Station Regional Park is a 274-acre site located near the intersection of Houghton Road and Mary Ann Cleveland Way, adjacent to the Empire High School campus. The park is named for the Esmond Station Railroad stop that was constructed along the original Southern Pacific Railroad line inthe early 1900’s. Several historic features and structures remain on the site and will be stabilized, restored and interpreted in conjunction with park development.
The 2004 General Obligation funds allocated funds for the purchase of the land, completion of a Master Plan for the entire site, and subsequent Phase I construction. Planning efforts commenced in the fall of 2013 with extensive outreach to the community through public meetings and online questionnaires. Community participation was a vital component of the Master Plan, providing valuable feedback for ideas and priorities of elements and facilities incorporated within the Master Plan. Proposed amenities of the fully-developed site include various lit sports fields, championship fields, outdoor performance area, eventplaza, basketball courts, natural surface trails, historic/interpretive park, group-use areas, turf play and family recreation areas, dog parks, aquatics facility, tennis center, fitness trail, and other amenities to be determined by future community needs.
Master Plan documents and exhibits are available to view on the Pima County website, located through this URL: http://webcms.pima.gov/cms/One.aspx?pageId=92324
Currently, stabilization of an historic building located at the Esmond Station Regional Park is in progress. This stabilization effort will preserve a piece of the community’s history for future generations. While preservation work of this historically significant structure is underway, a limited Phase I scope of development is being designed for construction. Phase I will encompass construction of a multi-use path, parking lot, and entry drive from Mary Ann Cleveland Way. Additional Phase I amenities may include a shade ramada and outdoor exercise stations along the path. Construction of Phase I will follow the completion of historic stabilization efforts and will be completed in 2016.
Due to the immense size and scope of Esmond Station Regional Park, future construction will be sequenced according to funding and community needs. Phase II development of Esmond Station Regional Park is included in Proposition 428 of the upcoming 2015 Pima County Bond Program. Phase II amenities may include lit multi-sports fields, covered playground, splash pad, restroom facility, maintenance yard, cultural outreach for the Esmond Station site, utility installations, passive recreation elements such as paths and picnic areas, parking and landscaping.
More information on the Pima County Bond Program and proposed projects for the 2015 Bond Election are available at: http://webcms.pima.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=1147
