Your continued support is making waves, but we need to ramp up our efforts before the next Parks & Recreation Board meeting on February 27, 2025!

📅 Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025
📍 Location: Phoenix Council Chambers, 200 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ
💻 Join Virtually: Link Here

We Need More People to Show Up! We need YOU!
This is our opportunity to share our stories, present the facts, and propose real alternatives to the reckless expansion of trail closures.

 Trail Closures Have Expanded Drastically Without Proper Oversight
In October 2024, the Parks & Recreation Board voted to expand trail closures from ~5,600 acres (14% of the preserves) to a staggering 22,156 acres (55% of Phoenix Preserves).
🔥 That’s more than half of our public trails gone! 🔥

During the January 23rd Board Meeting, it became clear that not all board members even understood the extent of their decision—many looked visibly surprised.

These closures impact all of Phoenix and the surrounding Valley, but especially:
✅ Ahwatukee
✅ South Phoenix
✅ The East Valley

Of the 18,213 acres (45%) that remain open, nearly 10,000 acres belong to the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve, which is a 40-mile drive from Ahwatukee and 35 miles from South Phoenix. This means that for anyone outside of North Phoenix, only 3% of the city’s preserves are accessible within reasonable distance.

This affects thousands of residents, including constituents of:
🔹 Councilman Carlos Galindo-Elvira (District 7)
🔹 Councilman Kevin Robinson (District 6)
🔹 Councilwoman Kesha Hodge Washington (District 8)

📢 If you live in these districts, now is the time to act! Contact your representatives TODAY and attend the February 27th meeting to demand change.

 
🚫 We Must Stop This Policy Overreach 🚫
The city should not be taking away our ability to enjoy our public lands. This sets a dangerous precedent for the future of outdoor recreation in Phoenix.

❌ This policy is unenforceable. Without proper enforcement, it creates confusion, resentment, and selective punishment.
❌ Safety comes from education, not restrictions. Banning responsible hikers does not prevent incidents.
❌ This decision affects millions of people in the 5th largest city in the U.S. Trail access isn’t a trivial issue—it affects our health, businesses, and tourism.

🗳 Why is This Decision in the Hands of Just 7 Volunteers?
Unlike every other city in the Valley, Phoenix gives unrestricted power to the Parks & Recreation Board, an all-volunteer group with no City Council oversight.

💡 Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, and Maricopa County all require City Council approval for major policy changes.

We need to modernize Chapter XXIII of the City Charter to ensure that major land use restrictions require approval from our elected officials.

 📢 Take Action – Contact Your Representatives! Takes Just 30 Seconds!!
📨 Send an Email Now! Using our website, you can automatically generate a personalized email to your Phoenix City Council Member or the mayor of your city.

🔗 Send your email here: https://keepphoenixtrailsopen.org/send-an-email-to-your.../

Steps:
1️⃣ Fill in your name
2️⃣ Select your location
3️⃣ Send the email using your own email client

📣 Share this post! Help us flood their inboxes with emails demanding action.

🌐 Stay Connected:
🔹 Website: https://keepphoenixtrailsopen.org/
🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepphoenixtrailsopen
🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keep_phoenix_trails_open/

 
This is our chance to reverse this disastrous decision and protect our right to enjoy Phoenix’s outdoor spaces. Let’s make sure the city hears us loud and clear!

See you at the meeting on February 27th! 🏜💪