Residents Want Maintenance of Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve Boundaries..Town Staff Says "NO"

Council to consider Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve boundary maintenance
The Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve can be a cherished asset in Oro Valley, symbolizing the community’s dedication to preserving open space for recreation and conservation. However, the town's planned  preserve’s management does raise questions about town staff's commitment to realizing this vision.

Most recently, this is evident in staff-prepared rules for managing the boundaries of the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve.  The Town Council will consider these rules tomorrow evening. According to town staff, these rules "...are reasonable, clear, and actionable under the terms of the Conservation Easement (CE), an enforceable agreement establishing what may and may not be done, and by whom, on and with Preserve lands." Tomorrow’s Oro Valley Town Council meeting will provide an opportunity for the public to share their input on these rules.

There will be no maintenance of the perimeter
Under the proposed rules, the Town will not maintain the property’s boundary unless there is a health or safety issue, limiting its routine maintenance efforts to walking trails and right-of-way areas. Homeowners are restricted to maintaining their own property lines, with any encroachment on preserve land requiring prior written authorization. 

Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve is not a "Preserve"

The Town justification for this, one supported by the conservation easement holder Archeology Southwest, is based on their interpretation of the CE agreement. They believe that the land is legally a “designated preserve,” relieving the town of broader maintenance responsibilities. Legally, however, this is not the case. The easement’s purpose is to “...protect the Conservation Values of the Property and to preserve the continued natural, scenic, open space, and/or recreational uses of the Property.” (Source: CE Document P 5)

The Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve, while functioning as a preserve in many respects, differs from a legally designated “preserve” in key ways. It is governed by a Conservation Easement, which protects its natural, scenic, and recreational values under specific restrictions, but does not explicitly use “preserve” as a legal designation. Unlike some preserves established under federal or state law, the easement allows for limited development, such as low-impact recreation infrastructure, and is enforced by a private grantee (e.g., Archaeology Southwest) rather than a government entity. Additionally, the easement imposes obligations on the Town to maintain and restore the property, a level of specificity not always present in general preserve designations. While similar in intent to preserves, the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve’s protections are tied to the terms of its easement rather than broader legislative definitions.

Lack of routine maintenance concerns residents
To date, the town 's minimal maintenance approach has forced homeowners to address boundary issues to protect property values. With no long-term restoration plan in place, the proposed rules effectively leave invasive growth unchecked, impacting neighboring properties.  

The perimeter is a mess [Panel right]. What was once a strip of carefully replanted desert behind homes—a manicured and low-lying landscape—has now transformed into a chaotic mix of invasive species and barren ground. During the rainy season, this area becomes a dense forest of non-native plants, overshadowing the original desert flora. When the rain subsides, the once-vibrant space turns into a sea of dried, bladed devastation, leaving a stark and unkempt expanse.

The path forward on this requires your input

Residents with properties bordering the preserve are concerned about their ability to maintain fence lines and address issues like noxious weeds and pest infestations. The Friends of Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve have advocated for clearer and more actionable rules. They reviewed the draft rules and provided input, but none of their suggestions were incorporated into the rules being presented tomorrow night.

The upcoming Council discussion represents an opportunity to address these issues collaboratively. By incorporating resident feedback and reaffirming the Town’s commitment to maintaining and restoring the preserve, a balanced approach can be achieved.

This matters to all of us

Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve is more than just open space—it is a shared resource that reflects the community’s values. With continued dialogue and thoughtful action, it can be a treasured asset for generations.

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