EL RIO PRESERVE PROJECT
YOUR RESOURCE FOR PRESERVATION, EDUCATION & RECREATION AT EL RIO PRESERVE
ABOUT THE PRESERVE
El Rio Preserve is a 104-acre site that has served a variety of uses for many years. In the 18th century, Juan Bautista de Anza and his followers camped on this site during their journey from Southern Arizona to San Francisco. More recently, the Arizona Department of Transportation used this location as a gravel borrow pit for large infrastructure projects. Over the past several decades, disc golfers have constructed a series of targets throughout the site, and periodically, the flood waters from surrounding neighborhoods have created a seasonal lake, attracting a variety of migratory birds.
LOCATION OF THE PRESERVE
Physical Address: 10190 N. Coachline Blvd; Marana, AZ 85743 | DIRECTIONS
ASSETS OF EL RIO PRESERVE
El Rio Preserve offers the community several benefits including:
Rich riparian habitat for nesting and migratory birds. More than 200 species of birds have been observed here.
Stormwater retention basin that prevents flooding of nearby neighborhoods.
El Rio is one of the links in the chain of preserved riparian habitat along the Lower Santa Cruz River, including sites such as Sweetwater Wetlands and Kino Environmental Restoration Project
Natural land features, like mounds and shade trees, that support a variety of land uses and nature viewing.
Site is identified as a regionally important wildlife linkage
Any added features must be compatible with the characteristics of natural habitat and wildlife linkage
AWARD-WINNING
El Rio Preserve was the recipient of the 2022 Natural Resources Award from the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association. LEARN MORE.
EL RIO IN THE NEWS
04/04/2023: Marana News “Finding balance in improvements to preserve”
10/20/2023: Official Town Video “Studying El Rio Preserve for a Healthier Future”
10/20/2020: Pima County Newsroom “El Rio Preserve offers rare sanctuary for birds”
SUMMER 2023 PROGRAMS
Join Pima County Natural Resources and Parks and Recreation birding expert, Jeff Babson, to spot spring migrants on their way to northern breeding grounds as well as those breeding right here in Southern Arizona.
FRIENDS OF EL RIO
The Friends of El Rio Preserve works with partners to protect and enhance habitat at the Preserve, promote compatible recreational activities, and educate about the Preserve’s unique natural resources.
BIRDING IN MARANA
Birding (i.e. bird-watching) has become a wildly popular recreation in the United States. Southern AZ is known as one of the premier bird hot spots in the country and El Rio Preserve is a destination location to birdwatch in Marana.
PROJECT INFORMATION
Tucked into a pocket of the upper Tucson Mountains, El Rio Preserve functions as a collecting basin for both run-off from the mountain slopes and overflow from the Santa Cruz River. This confluence of geologic features affords spectacular views of granite and gneiss intermixed with the younger volcanic rocks that produce the vibrantly red hues that distinguish these peaks. To the east is a wide open flood plain of the lower Santa Cruz River, which occasionally becomes a turbulent waterway after heavy rains.
LOS MORTEROS
El Rio Upland Area by J. Spencer
Los Morteros CONSERVATION AREA Project:
Located south of Marana’s El Rio Preserve, the Pima County Los Morteros cultural resources site is currently receiving enhancements to improve the educational opportunities and recreation experience as a cultural resources park. Part of Pima County’s cultural preservation program, the Los Morteros site and two other properties were previously acquired to protect the cultural resources. At the time of purchase, protective fences were installed around the site with a single access gate on the southern boundary at Linda Vista Boulevard.
Phase two of work at the Los Morteros Conservation Area is now under construction. This phase will provide at grade decomposed granite paths following the existing dirt trail throughout the site, interpretive signs at key locations on slab mounted bases to minimize disturbance and a new northern pedestrian gate at Coachline Road. The new northern pedestrian gate will connect to sidewalk and a crosswalk built by the Town of Marana. This will link the Los Morteros Loop to the El Rio Preserve trailhead and the Chuck Huckelberry Loop. This project is a collaboration between the Pima County Flood Control District and the Pima County Office of Sustainability and Conservation. The improvements are being constructed by Hunter Contracting Co. A cultural resources monitor from Desert Archeology will be present throughout construction.
Review the below “El Rio Recreation Area” map for perspective of the close proximity Los Morteros Conservation Area location. Soon patrons will be able to park at our existing trailhead parking lot at the El Rio Preserve, walk across Coachline Road using the new Crosswalk, and enter the Los Morteros to enjoy this new pedestrian amenity.
Stay in-the-know with your all Town of Marana projects and initiatives.
HELPFUL LINKS
CONTACT US
Parks & Recreation Department
Phone: (520) 382-1950
Email: marana.parks@maranaaz.gov
Natural Resources
Phone: (520) 382-3496
SUBMIT COMMENT
Send us your inquiry and a member of our team will respond within as soon as possible.
