Julian Wash Linear Park

In the Sonoran Desert, water is an essential part of everyday business. With a hot and arid climate, no available water reservoirs, and significant aquifer drawdown, the City of Tucson has taken strong measures to conserve and reuse water.

An ordinance passed in October 2008 requires commercial rainwater harvesting for 50 percent of the landscape irrigation water starting June 1, 2010. Olsson's Tucson LAUP team has already designed numerous projects that meet these requirements, one of which is this project.

This project, a multi-use trail with a length of 2.7 miles from Rita Road to Kolb Road in Tucson, emphasizes the preservation of the natural vegetation so that additional landscaping and re-vegetation is minimized. Envisioned as a segment of a more than 12-mile trail system linking southeast Tucson with the downtown area, the Julian Wash Linear Park Master Plan provides for linkages to future trail extensions and existing trail systems, adjacent neighborhoods, and the University of Arizona Science and Technology Park.

The project includes a new divided urban pathway concept, asphalt and granite trails, park nodes, pedestrian crossings, an entry drive, a parking area, and an extensive interpretive program focused on natural resources, wildlife habitat protection, and water conservation.

A series of five park nodes were created along the trail, strategically located to take advantage of off-site views, existing native vegetation, and areas providing subject matter for an interpretive program. Each node consists of a mix of common elements including seat walls, benches, shade structures, interpretive materials, paving, and vegetation. One creative project feature is a water-harvesting shade structure that supplies water to a wildlife watering hole. Wildlife enhancement also included construction of 200 artificial Burrowing Owl habitats, providing a sustainable environment for up to 400 native birds. Both the wildlife watering hole and the owl habitats will help to create a sustainable wildlife environment.

The team's emphasis on preserving the native desert vegetation instead of landscaping means the landscape along the urban greenway will be sustainable without introducing costly irrigation. This provides the client with smart and sustainable solutions with an emphasis on water conservation.