The Community Services Department of the Town of Fountain Hills has scheduled an open meeting for March 5 to present a plan received from the McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission to build an additional trail on the hills north and east of Fountain Lake.

The present Overlook Trail was developed working with the builder to provide hikers with an unparalleled view of the lake, Town of Fountain Hills and McDowell Mountains to the west and a similar, equally great view of the Verde Valley and Four Peaks to the east.

The developer did a great job. As you may know our town bought nine acres for $12 million on the crest of the eastern hills to keep undeveloped as a “postcard view,” and it is from this crest and park area that one gets spectacular views.

The proposed trail would parallel the Overlook Trail in the nine-acre park area except it would be down the east side of the crest some 20 to 40 feet completely cutting off the western view. When the member who proposed the new trail was asked, he did not address why the proposed trail would not utilize this section of the Overlook Trail, but stated that the proposed trail would still offer a good view toward the east.

Plans such as these can generate concerns – why build and maintain a parallel trail with half a view, a few feet away from an existing trail with a great view? Watching the political shenanigans occurring daily across our country one could believe that perhaps a profit motive is the driving force by future integration of the existing trail into the proposed trail making way for houses on the crest.

We encourage all residents to attend the Community Services Department meeting at the Community Center on March 5.