In case you missed it
Managed by the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, Dreamy Draw Park is now open after three years of work and improvements.
The trailhead has been upgraded to feature:
- An enlarged parking zone, which includes six parking spaces designed for ADA accessibility.
- Four new ramadas, along with two that have been renovated.
- A modern gender-neutral restroom facility with six stalls.
- To facilitate equestrian visitors, four designated pull-through parking spaces for horse trailers have been provided for convenient access.
- The bike lane has also been reconfigured, complete with an adjoining natural surface walking path.
- Accessible routes compliant with the ADA guidelines have been established, connecting the parking area to the ramadas, restroom, and the Dreamy Draw Bike Path.
- The Dreamy Draw Trailhead is situated on the site of the Dreamy Draw Dam.
AZCentral – Why the closure?
The Dreamy Draw Recreation Area underwent a closure to accommodate a water pipeline project that commenced in 2020. Subsequently, the renovation of the trailhead was initiated in the summer of 2022.
During this period, access to the recreation area, bike path, and parking lot was restricted. While the trails remained accessible, reaching them was challenging due to the closure of the parking lot. In May, the bike path was reinstated and made available for use.
On the several years of work to improve Dreamy Draw, AZCentral cites Josh Parnell, park supervisor for Phoenix’s Parks and Recreation Department, “And so we were able to do the trail improvements at the same time that we had already closed the parking lot for the pipeline improvements…We just ask that [visitors] make good choices when they come out and hike and they take a hike and do it right.”
Read AZCentral’s story here.
The city’s Dreamy Draw park construction timeline
- Construction demolition began Tuesday, July 5, 2022.
- Demolition of the current parking lot, ranger station, and restrooms completed July 22, 2022.
- Valley Rain Construction was selected as the project contractor. Valley Rain is an award-winning contractor with extensive experience constructing parks, trailheads, and other recreational facilities. They recently completed renovations at Piestewa Peak in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve.
- Construction and renovations completed September 5, 2023.
Dreamy Draw Recreation Area is located at 2421 E. Northern Ave., Phoenix. For more information: 602-262-7901; https://www.phoenix.gov/parks.
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