Lake Montezuma Property Owners Assoc

LMPOA is the founding member of the Montezuma Rimrock McGuireville Trails Coalition, Inc. (aka MRM Trails Coalition), a recently formed local AZ nonprofit and 501(c)(3).

A few members of the Transportation Committee met several months ago with a local retired Forest Service Ranger to discuss the need for intra and intercommunity trails because of the lack of sidewalks.

That brief meeting has mushroomed into a community-wide, community-supported effort now that the first pathway has been recognized and will soon have a bevy of workers bringing it to fruition.

Supervisor Chip Davis, Public Works Director Phil Bourdon, and local Area Roads Superintendent Verl Cook in a recent meeting with local representatives gave their "blessing" to the project with Bill Stafford and Verl Cook acting as the contact points for MRM and the County.  Bill is the former Forest Service Ranger with 30 years of service who has built hundreds of miles of trails in the Sedona area.

The location of the Montezuma Path is easily spotted by the two MRM Trails Coalition Adopt-A-Road signs on Montezuma Avenue at Sweetwater and just before the square in Lake Montezuma.  A work plan is being tweaked, the permit has been issued, the pathway has been walked, and location of pedestrian crossovers is being decided.  The right-of-way alongside the roadway will be cleared, trimmed, and made as level as possible for safe walking with a covering of decomposed granite or gravel.  LMPOA has donated a generous $500 to this project and Beaver Creek Kiwanis $200.  Other donations in the form of work or funds are welcome.  We are fortunate indeed.

MRM Trails Coalition had a booth at our recent Buzzard Rendezvous with Pam Segelke, a newer member who joined from Montezuma Estates, manning the tables.  Besides providing information,

Pam asked if anyone would like to join the effort--and came up with a list of 15 volunteers!  We feel especially lucky to have Kathy Davis join our ranks.  Kathy is the Superintendent of our local National Monuments (and treasures), Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well (she has Tuzigoot, also).

Will we hang up our hats when this is completed?  Not on your life.  MRM Trails Coalition has identified several other areas of the "greater" MRM communities with great need for walking trails and welcomes input from residents.  Four members who can be contacted are Janet Aniol (592-9201), Maggie Holt (567-0441), Pam Segelke (592-0216), and Bill Stafford (567-4820).

Happy trails, everyone!