McDowell Mountain Sonoran Preserve

The McDowell Sonoran Preserve borders McDowell Mountain Ranch to the North and the East.  Several communities within McDowell Mountain Ranch share the preserve as their backyard.  These communities include Trovas, 100 Hills, Cimarron Hills, Sunrise Point and Sonoran Estates.  Property values of homes that border the preserve command a premium, as you will never have neighbors in your backyard.  

The following is a brief description and outline of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the many benefits it provides to the residents of McDowell Mountain Ranch community.

Since the establishment of the Preserve and the initial dedication of 2,860 acres by the City of Scottsdale in 1994, the City has been actively acquiring land within the 36,400 acre Recommended Study Boundary RSB. As of June, 2004, 11,250 acres are owned by the City, 1,733 acres are privately owned but permanently protected by zoning, and nearly 1,000 acres are in various stages of the acquisition process. The remaining 16,600 acres that need to be considered for acquisition by Scottsdale are State Trust land. 

Trails are abundant around and through the Sonoran Preserve.  Click on the link for information about Maps of the Preserve.

You are invited to hike the preserve and enjoy the beauty of the desert.  Of course, the preserve is designed for generations to come, thus there are a few rules of the preserve.
 

The City of Scottsdale is constantly working to improve the enjoyment of the preserve.  The vast amount of land is monitored by friends of the preserve.  The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy works side-by-side with the City of Scottsdale to ensure completion, management and public appreciation of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.  
 

For a map of the current acquisition status, click here(4.06 MB pdf file)

The following are the historical dates for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

October 3, 1994 – The McDowell Sonoran Preserve was officially established (Resolution #4103) by the Scottsdale City Council. In 1995, based on recommendations of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission, a ballot measure was put before Scottsdale voters and overwhelmingly approved to provide funding for the purchase of land for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve within a 16,460 acre area called the Recommended Study Boundary (RSB). The 1995 ballot measure culminated an exhaustive two year planning period by many citizens and interest groups led by the McDowell Sonoran Land Trust.

November 1998 – The voters overwhelmingly approved expansion of the RSB for the Preserve. While existing funds will be available to purchase land in the expanded area, time made it clear that new funds would be needed.

May 2004 – Voters approved an additional preservation sales tax and accompanying bonding capability to acquire land for the Preserve. This new funding also makes it possible to construct appropriate public access areas and trails for the Preserve.

Please review the other links for additional information about the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.  If you have any questions or would like additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us or give us a call at 480-235-7522.

 Thanks for visiting our website!

Sincerely,

Teresa Atkinson, CRS, e-PRO
Residential/Relocation Specialist
480-235-7522
877-235-7522
Teresa@TheAtkinsonGroup.com
http://www.theatkinsongroup.com/