City of Peoria Press Release
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Motorized Vehicle Restictions for Agua Fria Conservation Area
Agua Fria Conservation Area Off-Limits for Off-Roaders
5/21/2007
For additional information: Dawna Taylor, Public
Information Officer
Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department
Office: (602) 506-1114 • Cellular: (602) 525-5733
Patricia A. Cox, Public Affairs Specialist
Bureau of Reclamation Phoenix Area Office
Office: (623) 773-6214
May 15, 2007
(Morristown, Ariz) – Effective July 1, 2007, in accordance with
the Park Rule R-107 and 1995 Park Master Plan, the restrictions on motorized
vehicle use at the Lake Pleasant Regional Park Agua Fria Conservation Area
entrance will be enforced. The conservation area is located at the north end of
the park just south of Table Mesa Road. The decision to enforce the park rule
was made by the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department and Bureau of
Reclamation to ensure public safety and to protect the conservation area. “This
decision was not made lightly,” stated R.J. Cardin, assistant director for
Maricopa County’s Parks and Recreation Department.
“Over the past four years, we’ve seen an increase in illegal activity in the
area. Illegal activities have ranged from shooting to dumping and irresponsible
use of off-highway vehicles to vandalism. These activities are causing damage to
the desert and riparian areas and have created an unsafe environment for law
abiding visitors who are there to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. This is
very concerning to all the agencies who manage the public lands in the area and
we’ve agreed that the motorized vehicle restriction needs to be enforced to
protect both the public and the conservation area,” added Cardin.
A multi-agency task force, initiated by the Bureau of Reclamation, has been
meeting to determine the best short and long-term solutions for the area. Until
a long-term solution is developed, park visitors may continue to fish, hike,
bike, picnic, and camp in the conservation area. All supplies must be carried
into the site without the use of motorized vehicles.
Anyone who witnesses any illegal activity at the Agua Fria Conservation Area
should contact the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office at (602) 876-1011. Future
developments on the conservation area will be made available to the public. Lake
Pleasant Regional Park is located at 41835 N. Castle Hot Springs Rd. in
Morristown. For information on the conservation area, visit
www.maricopa.gov/parks/lake_pleasant/agua_fria.
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