We wrote about this back in May, but we’re happy to report this week that the Andrews-Kinsey Trail is now “official.” It was a gorgeous Saturday afternoon and only fitting that the dedication ceremony took place up in the McDowell Mountains.

The new 2-5-mile trail was completed earlier this year and has now been named in honor of the late Chet Andrews of Scottsdale and Fountain Hills’ own Roy Kinsey.

The trail connects the Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve with the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Both men knew each other for years and long dreamed of having a trail across the McDowells to connect preserve land in both municipalities. Now that dream has become a reality, and both men certainly deserved to have the connection named in their honor.

Andrews and Kinsey worked hard to establish preserves in their respective communities and shared the love of the outdoors and, in particular, the Sonoran Desert. Sadly, Mr. Andrews died April 12 at the age of 84 as he battled Alzheimer’s disease. Remarkably, he toured a trail in the preserve the day before he died.

Happily, Mr. Kinsey remains alive and well today. Even though he humbly declined any recognition for years, he was all smiles this weekend and, in true Roy fashion, credited many others for the work done on creating and expanding the preserves, building trails and the like.

We applaud the City of Scottsdale, the Town of Fountain Hills and Maricopa County for their commitment over the years to these preserves and to the trails and other amenities in McDowell Mountain Regional Park.

We further applaud the likes of such men as Chet Andrews and Roy Kinsey who work hard to preserve certain elements of the Sonoran Desert so that generations to come can enjoy the great outdoors right in our own backyard and take advantage of healthy activities, beautiful views and educational opportunities.