Clarkdale AZ (April 22, 2014) – The Town of Clarkdale is hosting a workshop on May 9 to help identify potential recreational uses and possible improvements at two River Access Points along the Verde River- Tuzigoot and Lower TAPCO – to assist in developing a master plan for the two sites.
The workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Clark Memorial Clubhouse, 19 N. Ninth St. in Clarkdale.
The workshop will include an overview of the Verde River @ Clarkdale project, an introduction to the two river access points (RAPs), site tours of the two RAPs, group visioning exercises to identify potential recreational uses at the sites, and a keynote presentation from Staci Williams, Blue Trails Coordinator for American Rivers on Recreational Opportunities on American Rivers – What Has and Hasn’t Worked?
Local residents and business owners, recreational users and other interested community stakeholders are invited to attend the workshop. Register for the event by May 6 at www.VerdeVision.eventbrite.com.
The master plan for the RAPs will balance protection of the river and adjacent lands, while developing a plan for providing exceptional recreational opportunities for residents and visitors and contributing to Clarkdale’s tourism industry. Funding for the Verde @ Clarkdale project is provided by the Walton Family Foundation.
In 2013, the Town of Clarkdale secured a new river access location near the historic TAPCO (The Arizona Power Co. plant) area north of Clarkdale from Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. The site was recently shifted further south after a pair of nesting bald eagles was discovered earlier this year at the original location. This new site, the Lower TAPCO RAP, is located on approximately 110 acres on Sycamore Canyon Road, roughly 2.3 miles north of Tuzigoot Road. The Lower TAPCO RAP will serve as the upper anchor on the Verde River @ Clarkdale project, and will provide boaters with a 2.3-mile float trip between this site and the Tuzigoot RAP.
“The Verde River is a community treasure, and a master plan for the river access points is a pivotal part of our Sustainable Clarkdale vision,” said Mayor Doug Von Gausig. “We’re excited about the possibilities for river and habitat preservation, while enhancing recreational opportunities and tourism in Clarkdale,” he added.
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