News release from Friends of Sonoita Creek
Did you know there is a shaded walking trail off of McKeown Avenue adjacent to Doc Mock Park? For locals this well-known trail has been a pathway to the Patagonia Cemetery on the hill. Recent developments have occurred near the entrance of the trail. A sign displaying an historical account of the land as well as a welcome sign is a project created and funded by Friends of Sonoita Creek (FoSC).
The land on which the trail crosses has seen many changes in ownership over the years. Two decades ago, in 1992 the Nature Conservancy was gifted a portion of the land owned by Lucia Nash. A mutual agreement was made to create a 36-acre conservation easement. A conservation easement is a voluntary, legal agreement to permanently limit future development of this land establishing a commitment to protect natural resources such as diversity of species and wildlife habitat that will benefit future generations. The Nature Conservancy has generously allowed public access to quietly walk the trail that meanders through this woodland.
With permission from the Conservancy benches will be installed along the trail. To further enhance your experience walking the trail FoSC is in the planning stages with TravelStorys to develop an audio walking tour. TravelStorys provides a free app that allows you to hear more about the trail and its natural and historical features from your cell phone.
Until then, walk through the Cemetery trail entrance. Feel the cool comfort provided by the generous shade of the surrounding trees. Breathe in the fresh air from plants that provide life giving oxygen. Reflect on the words of American author Wallace Stegner: “Every green natural place we save saves a fragment of our sanity and gives us a little more hope that we have a future.”
Happy trails!
This project is made possible by our donors. Won’t you please support Friends of Sonoita Creek? Visit our website, sonoitacreek.org or send your donation to PO Box 123, Patagonia AZ 85624.