Renovations at South Mountain Park will begin this Spring and continue over the next five years. The park will turn 100-years-old in 2024 and park employees want to preserve it for another 100 years.

Park spokesman Gregg Bach said master plans for two projects - one for the trails and one for the whole park -  have been approved. He said renovating the park’s trails, picnic areas and entrance will benefit every type of park visitor.  

“Anybody who hikes and bikes or rides horses there, as well as somebody who just comes in there to have a family picnic on a weekend afternoon.”

South Mountain Park gets a lot of use, especially on the trails. Bach said “social” trails have been created by hikers over the years and some of them could become official trails.

Bach said the Trails Master Plan comes after gathering community input at public meetings.

These improvements are funded through the Phoenix Parks and Preserve initiative.