Pima County increases standard width for paths including The Loop | Environment

Pima County Board of Supervisors approved a new path standard for River Parks and Greenways on March 5. The new standard is 12 to16 feet wide for paved paths, and 8 to 10 feet wide for soft paths. The former standard was 12 feet for paved paths and 8 feet for soft paths.

The Board amended the Regional Trail System Master Plan to include the new standard.

“The Loop is a popular place for bicycling, dog-walking, running, and horseback riding,” said Steve Anderson, Planning Division Manager for Natural Resources, Parks, and Recreation, in a recent news release. “Wider paths increase the enjoyment everyone on The Loop. Wider paths make it easier to maneuver around other users when necessary.”

He emphasized that in some places, The Loop will remain narrow where the County does not have a wide easement. New sections of The Loop will be built to the new standard.

The Board also approved funds to acquire the final piece of property on the Paseo de las Iglesias section of The Loop. Archeologists recently completed a study of this section, and planning is under way. The shared use path will follow the Santa Cruz River between Silverlake Road and Ajo Way.

The Loop path encompasses both banks of four major river systems or waterways. Pima County residents and visitors can enjoy biking, walking, or running along the Rillito River, the Santa Cruz River, the Pantano Wash, the Julian Wash and the Harrison Greenway.

The Loop also has path extensions along tributary washes or extensions. These include the Tanque Verde Wash, the Cañada del Oro Wash, and north and south of the Santa Cruz River.

More than one third of the metropolitan population lives within a half mile of the Loop or Loop extended paths.

Pima County’s partners in The Loop are: City of Tucson, Town of Marana, Town of Oro Valley, City of South Tucson, Regional Transportation Authority, and the Arizona Department of Transportation.

For more information about The Loop, visit: www.pima.gov/TheLoop.