Marana In the Media: 2019 Road Projects

Photo courtesy of Jeff Gardner/Inside Tucson Business

Inside Tucson Business wrote an in-depth feature on the Southern Arizona road projects on tap in 2019. The article covered Marana, as well as the City of Tucson, Oro Valley, Pima County, and state highways.

From the section on the Town of Marana:

Marana: Ina Road rebirth tops 2019 projects

The Town of Marana will be celebrating the completion of the Ina Road/Interstate 10 interchange this spring, along with a makeover of Ina Road itself.

Mo El-Ali, who serves as the director of Marana’s Public Works Department, highlighted some of the biggest improvements on the horizon in 2019. 

Topping the list for El-Ali is the series of improvements made along Ina Road, including the new bridge that spans the lanes of I-10, as well as the Union Pacific tracks next to the roadway. 

There’s also the bridge built by the consortium of the Arizona Department of Transportation, his department and the Regional Transit Authority. 

The Town of Marana budgeted $6.9 million to the Santa Cruz bridge development in the 2019 fiscal year, along with $4.3 million for the Ina Road re-pavement project that runs from Ulene Place and the Cañada del Oro Wash. 

For El-Ali, the Ina Road project, as well as the $307,000 re-pavement project along Avra Valley Road from Sanders Road to the town’s western limits and the $3.9 million sidewalk addition from Coachline Boulevard Twin Peaks Road are the most important efforts for residents. 

“Good roads are critical to Marana’s economy and it has a variety of infrastructure needs,” El-Ali said. “It’s going to be safe, and safe roads connect people to work, to schools, doctors’ offices, grocery stores, places that are vital to everyone’s well-being. So, they’re essential.”

El-Ali’s department is tasked with maintaining and improving the 520 lane miles of road in the Pima County town. 

The Town of Marana repaved 66 lane miles of road in 2018, according to El-Ali, comprising 13 percent of the town’s total roadway. 

Residents can expect further improvements, in the form of repaving and adding ADA-compliant ramps along Gladden Farms Road (2020) and a new four-way intersection with stop lights at Arizona Pavilion and the Walmart parking lot entrance.

Read the full story on the Inside Tucson Business website.



Marana In The Media: Ancient irrigation canals discovered in Marana 10 years ago

The Marana News had a good story about the 10-year anniversary of the discovery of ancient irrigation canals within the Town of Marana.

It’s been a decade since the announced discovery of the Las Capas irrigation canals, the uncovering of what would prove to be the oldest documented irrigation system in North America—and an answer to how ancient farmers grew corn in an arid and cactus-filled Sonoran Desert.

It was 10 years ago that Desert Archaeology began major excavations along the east bank of the Santa Cruz River, downstream of the confluence of the Rillito and Cañada del Oro tributaries as part of an expansion of Pima County’s water reclamation facilities when they found evidence of earlier waterways.

By earlier, according to excavation archaeologist James Vint, we’re speaking of dates from the Early Agricultural period (between 1200 and 800 B.C.) through the Hohokam and Protohistoric eras.

What they found was a network of canals and fields stretching over 100 acres.  According to the Society for American Archaeology: “There were more than 250 well-preserved canals of various sizes and over a thousand bordered fields in multiple stratigraphic levels occupied over a period of 800 years.”

Read the rest of the story, including information on Discover Marana’s Culinary Tours, here.

Marana In The Media: Positive news in year-end finances

Recently, the Town of Marana’s new finance director Yiannis Kalaitzidis briefed the Marana Town Council on the Town finances. In two briefs he covered both an independent audit, as well as giving them an update of the Town’s first quarter financials. Both were positive and the Marana News had a great re-cap of the presentations.

Marana’s budget is in good shape, according to new finance director Yiannis Kalaitzidis, who presented the town’s financial results for the most recent fiscal year and gave a new first quarter update to the mayor and council at their Dec. 18 meeting.

A group of independent auditors found no red flags in the town’s expenditures or revenues, which was great news for the finance department. Kalaitzidis, who began his leadership role in late October, went over highlights of the annual Comprehensive Financial Report.

He said this report is one of the most important because it’s a complete analysis of the town’s finances since its inception, and it communicates the financial health of the town’s government.

Read the rest of the story in the Marana News

MPD Citizen's Police Academy accepting applications

The Marana Police Department is happy to announce their next Citizen’s Police Academy. The Citizen’s Police Academy is designed to provide our citizens and business community with a greater understanding of the department and its operations through classroom instruction and hands-on experiences. This Academy is a 45-hour block of instruction taught by department employees that showcases several units in the department.

The program objective is to further our partnership with the community and make the Town of Marana an even better place to visit, work and raise a family.

TOPICS COVERED IN THE CLASS:

• Introduction of Command Staff

• Hiring and training academy information

• Patrol duties

• Motor units

• Volunteers in Police Service

• Firearms

• Criminal investigations

• K-9 (dog) unit

• To name a few

ACADEMY REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be 18 or older

• NO felony arrest or convictions

• NO misdemeanor arrests within one year of application

This academy is held every Wednesday from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm for 13 weeks. Classes start February 13th and go until May 1st, 2019. For more information, visit our webpage at (http://www.maranaaz.gov/citizens-police-academy). For further questions please contact the Community Resource Unit at 520-382-2051. Seats are limited so sign up today, but no later than January 30th, 2019!!!

Marana named one of the state's top-10 cities to live in

For the fourth straight year Marana was named one of Arizona's top-10 cities to live in by HomeSnacks.com, a website that uses recent data to paint a picture of what’s happening in a region.

Marana was ranked as the No. 10 Best City to Live In by the website. Marana was also ranked at the No. 8 Richest City in Arizona and the No. 13 Safest City in Arizona.

The website ranked each place in Arizona across a number of criteria from one to 54, with one being the best. Next, they took the average rank across all criteria, with the city posting the lowest overall score being crowned the winner of the title “Best Place To Live In Arizona”.

The criteria they used were:
Median Home Values
Median Income
Population Density (Higher better)
Unemployment Rate
Commute Time
Crime
Education Levels
Health Insurance Coverage
Poverty rates

Sources of criteria include the New Census Data and FBI Crime Data.

According to the website, “In Marana, everyone loves to call Marana home.”

The Town also earned an 8.5 SnackAbility Ranking, which looks at eight different metrics and scores then on a 1-10 score. Marana scored 8.0 or better in seven of the metrics, and earned 9.0’s for Diversity and Education. The score of 8.5 puts Marana in the top-20 percent of all communities in America.

HomeSnacks.com tries to paint a picture of what it's like to live in places across America. To do that, they gather data from around the web to help determine a wide array of factors about where people live including safety, desirability, and culture.

Full story

Egg Nog Jog kicks off a year of great races + Photo Gallery

Every year the Town of Marana kicks of the new year with their January 1st Egg Nog Jog, and every year the Town’s Parks and Recreation Department invites residents to #RunMarana.

The Town offers a variety of ways to run and hike. Whether you like 10Ks, fun runs, or running on the trails, Marana has a race for you.

The Egg Nog Jog is just one of three holiday themed races. May will bring the Mother’s Day 5k and Fun Run, while next November will see the Town host the next installment of the Turkey Trot.

This year we are adding a few new events to the slate. On March 9 Marana will host the first Cape Chase, which the first of its kind Superhero Adaptive fun run. This is a race for anyone and everyone who is ready to reveal their secret identities and conquer our course full of obstacles.

On May 9 the first Marana Meltdown will take place. The Meltdown is a Mountain Bike Time Trial on the Tortolita Preserve.

In addition to the races, there are other great opportunities to take in the great trails in Marana. There are monthly guided hikes and horseback rides and on March 2 the MOVE Across 2 Ranges, where hikers are invited to hit the trails and experience the challenge and beauty of Southern Arizona's premier hiking destinations in the Tortolita and Catalina Mountains all in one day.

For more information on these and all of the Marana Parks and Recreation events and activities CLICK HERE.

MPD FOCUS: Lock it or Lose it

As the holiday season kicks off, be extra mindful of your surroundings and your belongings. Here are a few safety tips to help you through the holiday season safely:

WHEN SHOPPING

• REMOVE your valuables from vehicles

• Don't leave packages visible through vehicle windows

• Secure packages in the trunk when possible

• Pay attention to your surroundings when walking to your vehicle

• Don't leave your purse unattended in your cart (use purse strap to secure purse to cart)

• ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings

• ALWAYS lock your vehicle

• DO NOT leave valuables or firearms in vehicles

• Be mindful of boxes that can be seen from an open garage door indicating new purchases

• Verify ALL outside lighting is functional

• Report ANY and ALL suspicious activity

• Non-emergency (520)682-4032

• TAKE Your keys

AT HOME

• ALWAYS secure your garage door and close it at night

• Do not leave your vehicle open when unloading items

• Schedule delivery of internet purchases when someone is home

• Make sure vehicles parked on the property are locked and free of tempting items

• Trim the vegetation to the front of the house

• Leave the porch light on

• Let a trusted friend or relative know when you're out of town so they can check your residence

Volunteers help keep Marana safe for shoppers

The Marana Police Department is doing a number of things to try and make this Holiday Shopping Season a safe one for shoppers, workers, and businesses. They recently launched their “Lock It or Lose It” campaign, have increased patrols on heavy shopping days, and begun utilizing their Volunteers in Police Service  (VIPS) to add an added law enforcement presence.

“The whole point of the program is to build a stronger partnership with local businesses,” said Officer David Danielson of the Community Resource Unit. “We already have a great relationship, but this will provide a stronger one-on-one relationship.”

The VIPS have been going on foot patrols in retail areas and their presence serves many purposes. By being visible they want to make sure shoppers feel safe and act as a deterant for would-be criminals.

The foot patrols walk both inside and outside of businesses, talking to customers, employees, and business owners. Their primary job is to serve as the eyes and ears of the Marana Police Department. If they see something suspicious in the store they can report it to store employees, or if the suspicious party leaves the store, they can radio Marana Police Officers to interact with the suspect.

“If we do see something suspicious we report it,” said Tom Cox, a member of the VIPS Foot Patrol.

The VIPS members are also introducing business owners to the Coalition Against Retail Theft  (CART) program, which aims to reduce shoplifting by educating retailers, consumers and perpetrators about our community’s intolerance for organized retail theft.

“It helps the business community curb shoplifting,” Cox said.

The VIPS Foot Patrol is a new unit and so far the program has been a hit with local businesses. The idea was to utilize these trained volunteers to create an added police presence, without having to take actual Marana Police Officers away from their other duties.

With every VIPS member having a radio connected to police dispatch, an MPD officer is just a call away.

Cox said to date “100 percent” of the businesses have embraced the program and welcome the added law enforcement presence in the area.

Although this version of the VIPS Foot Patrol program is new, the VIPS have been patrolling neighborhoods and businesses for years.

“Our VIPS has been a tremendous asset for the Marana Police Department,” said Danielson. “

This story originally ran in 2017.

MPD Holiday Patrols

The Marana Police Department is working hard this holiday shopping season to keep people safe. For over two decades MPD has increased their holiday patrols to help keep shoppers, as well as those working over the holiday shopping season, safe.

Until December 26, MPD has increased their patrols in high traffic shopping areas, as well as utilizing their VIP’s. The idea is that the presence of law enforcement officers will deter would-be criminals, as well as remind shoppers to utilize safe shopping practices.

It is a proactive approach that MPD believes deters crime, as well as makes businesses and shoppers more aware of their surroundings during the Holiday Season. Just because there are more officers on the street, shoppers are also advised to do their part.

“Be aware of your surroundings,” said Sgt. Chriswell Scott, who also encouraged people to report anything suspicious.

Extra officers will be patrolling popular shopping areas like the Arizona Pavilions, the Tucson Outlet Mall and the Ina/Thornydale corridor. Officers will be visible in marked cars, but will also be in unmarked cars, keeping an eye on last-minute shoppers.

The patrols will continue until the 26th of December, to help keep shopper safe as they make returns and exchanges the day after Christmas.

Tucson News Now had a good story on the patrols, as well as safety efforts shoppers can take.

KGUN 9 profiled MPD’s efforts in 2017 for their news broadcast.  

Fun and family at the first Winter Waterland

Marana Parks and Recreation host their first Winter Waterland event on Friday night and it was a success. The event was held at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park and utilized the park’s two newest features, the splash pad and the solar/shade structure over the basketball courts. 

While the splash pad is closed for the winter, the nightly light shows continue. Winter Waterland was the debut of the new holiday colored light show. Jets of green and red water shot up in interesting patterns that elicited a few “oohs” and “ahs” from those in attendance.

The new solar/shade structure over the basketball courts not only provides shade for basketball players during the day, but the lights illuminate the courts at night. On Friday night one of the courts provided a perfect place for many of the features of the event. Both food vendors were set up in the area, and there were plenty of picnic tables set up to enjoy the tasty BBQ and ice cream. The Marana Police VIP’s handed out stuffed animals to every child in attendance, while the Marana Senior Program’s Elf Shoppe also found a home on the courts. The Elf Shoppe raised over $550 for the Marana Community Foodbank by selling handmade crafts and Christmas ornaments.

Santa showed up. He dropped in from the North Pole to kick off the water light show countdown and then stayed around to hear Christmas wishes and take pictures with the families.

The VFW and Boy Scouts handed over 200 cups of hot cocoa in less than 20 minutes. All 325 parking spots were filled and the crowed enjoyed free crafts, food vendors, an outdoor Christmas movie and stage entertainment that included the Silver Steppers Flash Mob, Girl Scouts Carolers, and the Point of Grace Dancers.

Overall, it was an evening jam-packed with holiday cheer.  One attendee took to Facebook to comment, “Thank you for putting on such an amazing family friendly fun event. You guys never cease to amaze me.”

An end is in sight for Ina construction projects

This is a Manager’s Message from Marana Town Manager Jamsheed Mehta that originally ran in the Marana News/Foothills News.

There has been increased construction activity on Ina Road lately, but the benefits will far outweigh the costs once the dust clears and the Ina interchange opens back up in early 2019. Until then, there’s much to be excited for and much to still see from area businesses as we head into the holiday shopping season.

When complete, the project will ease congestion near Interstate-10 and the Union Pacific railroad, diverting traffic onto the bridge and over the interstate and tracks. The Town of Marana is also making a number of improvements to the area, including resurfacing Ina Road and arterial streets with new pavement and improving the landscaping, sidewalks, and lighting around the area. Project Ina will result in a safer and more attractive corridor, and will be more accessible for those with special needs thanks to new sidewalks with ADA ramps.  

We are entering the home stretch of the project, and area businesses need support more than ever as we begin the holiday season.

While many of the businesses in the area have seen only the smallest of impacts since the construction began, others are struggling to make through the final months. Even with moving dirt and construction vehicles, Ina Road is still open for business.

There are great places to eat, drink, and shop during the holiday season. You can go bowling and take a gymnastics class. There are hardware stores, tire stores, and auto mechanics for your various maintenance projects. Want to start your morning right? Enjoy one of several breakfast options. From a nice sit-down brunch to handcrafted sweet rolls or breakfast burritos, you can even just grab a box of dozen donuts for the office.

Even with the combined efforts of Town of Marana, Arizona Department of Transportation, Regional Transportation Authority, and Marana Chamber of Commerce, businesses can always use additional support from the community. If you take the time to explore the great businesses in the area, we know you’ll be thrilled with what you find.

It’s been a long couple of years of road construction in the area, and we understand the challenges everyone has felt with the traffic delays. However, when this project is completed early next year, Ina Road will become a real commercial destination with easy access from the freeway and brand-new road surfaces to drive on.

We are very excited for the completion of the project and have already started the planning stages for how we will celebrate. The Town of Marana will be partnering with area businesses and the Marana Chamber for a grand opening celebration that will be open to the public.

In the meantime, Ina Road is still open and we encourage you to support your local economy and Shop Ina. You will be glad you did.

Jamsheed Mehta is the Marana Town Manager

Things to do in Marana in December and beyond

The holidays are almost upon us, but there are still some fun and productive activities around Marana over the next month or so. There are ways to have family holiday fun, get rid of old/unwanted electronics, and kick off your New Year’s fitness goals in style.

Download the 2019 Events Program and Engagement Opportunities Book, and learn how you can be involved in Marana events as a sponsor, vendor, entertainer, and more.

Click to download.

On The Horizon

Mar 15-17 - Marana Blue Grass Festival
Apr 6 - Free Music In Marana: Caiden Brewer
Apr 27-28 - Camping Under the Stars/Free Movie in Marana

Mayor's Message: Promises made, promises kept

This Mayor’s Message originally ran in the Marana News/Explorer News.

Construction of the new Marana Police Facility has reached completion at the Marana Municipal Complex, and last month celebrated its grand opening. This project is a perfect example of local government delivering exactly what was promised to the constituents. This new police facility was built debt-free thanks to a temporary half cent sales tax that will be repealed on January 1, 2019.

Our police department and community can now welcome a state-of-the-art facility that will further support our Marana Police Department’s mission of unparalled service, unwavering protection and uncompromised integrity.

The increase went into effect with full community support on July 2015 after nearly a year of public outreach and research. Marana Police Chief Terry Rozema, senior staff, and Town Council members met with local residents and business leaders to garner the necessary support to build the project, including public meetings, direct business outreach, media interviews, survey cards, and open houses to show the need for the new facility. As Marana continues to grow and our police department expands, the existing facilities within the Marana Municipal Complex and at the Marana Operation Center were no longer meeting the safety needs of a responsive law enforcement agency.

Marana residents and businesses overwhelmingly supported the project and the use of a temporary sales tax increase as its funding source. They trusted us to implement and repeal the tax, as well as to use the money for what we said it was for. We did just that. In December we will collect the final portion of the $18,000,000 needed to build the police facility, and Marana Town Council has already instructed Town staff to lower the sales tax at the start of the new year. Per the original resolution, every dime raised went into a fund to pay specifically for the facility, including design, construction, and furniture. 

Our citizens and business leaders supported the project because of the great relationship our police department has forged with the community. The Marana Police Department has earned the trust and respect of Marana and the public was all too happy to endorse the project.

We made a promise to the people of Marana, and we kept that promise. With this new facility, you can be rest assured that our Marana Police Department will continue to provide great service to the community, and is now equipped to keep Marana safe as our Town moves into the future.  

Ed Honea is the Mayor of the Town of Marana

Go Full Steam This Spring

Where did the fall go? It seemed like just yesterday the Marana Parks and Recreation staff were gearing up for a busy fall after a very busy summer. Now we are excited to “Go Full Steam Into Spring.”

In November we held our first Art Expo at the Marana Community Center, and it was so successful we are bringing it back. This time we are going to feature some of the amazing student artists who live in the town. 

Marana continues to be a certification destination as we once again partner with the American Red Cross to provide first aid, lifeguarding, and babysitting classes.

You want races? We’ve got races. Kick off the New Year with the Egg Nog Jog. Like to hike? Then the M.O.V.E. Across 2 Ranges Hike Challenge is something you’ll need to check out. In March we present our Cape Chase Adventure Fun Run, which is an inclusive superhero themed event for everyone. We’ll again celebrate Mother’s Day with our annual 5K and Fun Run, while those who like to mountain bike will have to check out the Marana Meltdown, a mountain bike timed trial on the Tortolita Preserve Trailhead. 

Have kids that love the outdoors, but want something more mentally stimulating? We’ve created our Nature To You Garden Education Series at the Marana Heritage River Park. Those who want to be inspired artistically may want to take in one of our Paint Nights in the Park. 

Pickleball continues to be one of our most popular sports and we’ll have leagues all spring. The first one runs from Feb-April, while the second runs from April until late June.

We’ll also continue to offer Coed Softball League, open gym for volleyball and basketball, and two sessions for Adult Tennis Lessons.

For the kids, there are also tennis lessons, basketball and football clinics, Pee Wee Soccer in north and south Marana, another speed and agility clinic, another Itty Bitty Open Tot Golf outing, and a brand new Mini Me – Sports Edition. 

This spring we partner with Northwest Medical Center to provide health seminars. Other new programs include Tots & Me Story Art Class, STREAM Afterschool Club, Park & Stroll – Playground Explorer Club, and kids and teens Marana Police Academies. Of course all of your favorite classes, concerts, and activities will also be available.

As you can see, there is so much to do, so please “Go Full Steam” this Spring with Marana Parks and Recreation

Jim Conroy, Marana Parks and Recreation Director

December 8 Dispose-A-Med

The Dispose-A-Med event that will be taking place Saturday, December 8 , 2018 at Fry's Food & Drug Store located at 7870 N. Silverbell Road, from 10am-Noon.

The Marana Police Department, in partnership with the Marana-Foothills Optimist Club, Marana Prevention Alliance, and Vistoso Funeral Home, encourage citizens, businesses and schools to join us in sharing information about drug awareness and preventive measures.

The Police Department provides this opportunity for the proper disposal of unused and/or expired prescription drugs. Prescription and over-the-counter tablets and capsules will be collected. For safety and confidentiality reasons, any items turned over for collection cannot be returned. We cannot accept drugs from commercial organizations. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

THE MARANA POLICE DEPARTMENT WOULD LIKE TO LET EVERYONE KNOW OF A CHANGE WHEN IT COMES TO THIS EVENT. SYRINGES, CREAMS OR LOTIONS WILL NO LONGER BE COLLECTED. SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE.

Tangerine Phase I officially complete

The Town of Marana, the Town of Oro Valley and Pima County, along with the Psomas design team and contractor Tangerine Corridor Constructors (TCC) - a Granite Construction/Borderland Construction joint venture, are pleased to announce the completion of Phase I of the Tangerine Corridor Project.

The completion of the five-mile segment of Tangerine Road from Dove Mountain Boulevard/Twin Peaks Road to La Cañada Drive was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony on September 21, 2018.

The newly constructed roadway has delivered to the public:

• A four-lane roadway with landscaped medians 

• The elimination of dip crossings and upgraded culverts to provide 100-year flood access

• Pedestrian and bicycle facilities

• The installation of additional turn lanes and signalization at key intersections

• Wildlife linkages for wildlife corridors along this stretch of roadway

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for your constant support and patience while we worked to complete this project. It did not go unnoticed.

Marana Reclamation Facility and Recharge Project Grand Opening ceremony

Marana Water Director John Kmiec speaks at the grand opening ceremony.

On Tuesday, November 27, Marana Water held the Marana Reclamation Facility and Recharge Project Grand Opening ceremony. The facility opened earlier this fall and is the culmination of two years of hard work by Marana Water staff.

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“This celebration has been a long time coming for the Town,” said Marana Water and Reclamation Director John Kmiec.  “For over ten years the Town has embarked on this journey [to control] its own destiny as far as water resource management.”

The new wastewater facility can treat triple its previous capacity, equating to a total of 1.5 million gallons per day. Marana can now handle up to 10,000 new homes or businesses coming into the area.

“Our day here is about the future,” Kmiec said. It is about the future of the Town of Marana, in particular the north part of Marana where we have these water resources. “Where we are the wastewater provider for the community, and throughout the whole Marana Water system that will be benefitting from the resources that will be managed out of this facility.”

The new facility uses a process known as conventional activated sludge treatment. The process uses bacteria and biological matter to break down waste and help purify the water. The facility utilizes two separate treatment trains that can treat up to 750,000 gallons per day each. The two treatment trains also allow for redundancy should maintenance be required. This expansion was designed to allow further expansion with room for additional basins, which was another reason that Council selected this process.  

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In addition to making improvements on the facility, Town Council decided to enter the sewer business to enhance Marana’s water portfolio. The recharge facility is able to recharge 100 percent of the effluent from the new water reclamation facility. Marana will receive recharge credits for 100 percent of the water stored in the facility from the Arizona Department of Water Resources. These credits allow the town to provide safe, reliable and sustainable resources for its customers.

“For a successful community in the state of Arizona to be enduring…we have to have proper resource management of our local water supplies,” said Kmiec. “It is critical, and that is what today is about.”

Marana took over the previous facility from Pima County in 2012 with the ability to treat 500,000 gallons per day. The Town Council voted to fund the expansion in 2016, and the project went on line two years later this June. 

“This celebration has been a long time coming for the town,” Kmiec said. “For over 10 years the Town has embarked on this journey of its own destiny.”

Marana Mayor Ed Honea spoke at the ceremony and reminded everyone that Marana incorporated in large part as a way for area residents to control their ground water, so it was only fitting that the plant will help Marana continue to grow.  

“We’ve come a long way and we have a wonderful staff and I am proud of all of them,” Honea said.

KVOA TV came out and did a nice feature on the facility and what it means to Marana:

Another successful Marana Segment of El Tour de Tucson

Over 1,000 cyclists and their supporters showed up at Heritage River Park on Saturday, November 17 for the 25-Mile Marana Segment of the El Tour de Tucson Event. It was the third year Marana has hosted their own segment of the race, and the shorter distance has proven to be an attraction for less experienced riders, or those riding with their families.

Marana Parks and Recreation helps to put on the event and believes it helps represents the Town’s strategic goals of Community and Recreation.

“This was an outstanding event,” said Marana Parks and Recreation Director Jim Conroy. “It is exciting to see so many people getting out and exercising.”

The Town also believes that the race is not only a great way to get residents to experience the Marana Heritage River Park, but is also a great attraction for people to visit Marana.

“It was a perfect day for our visitors to enjoy Heritage River Park and learn a little more about our great community,” Conroy said.  

The first two years of the event saw the race begin near the playground and splash pad portion of the park. This year the race began in front of the farm portion of the park and actually had riders leaving the area in the opposite direction. The idea was to create more room for the riders and spectators.
 
Marana Parks and Recreation staff worked with Perimeter Bicycling Association of America Inc. (PBAA).staff to organize this event at Heritage Park, while Marana Police Department and Town Traffic Engineering staff did an outstanding job with traffic signage, signals and point control keeping cyclist safe while riding on Marana roads.  

“As always it was a total team effort by Town of Marana staff to execute this exceptional community and fitness event,” Conroy said.

Marana Water Festival teaches students about water conservation

On Thursday, November 15 the Town of Marana participated in the third annual Marana Water Festival at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park. The event was put on by Arizona Project Wet and staffed by Marana Water and other Town of Marana employees, as well as Tucson Water and the University of Arizona.

Over 800 Marana Unified School District fourth-graders attended the event and learned about the watershed, water conservation, groundwater, and the water cycle. The idea behind the event, and events like it all over the state, is to give students a greater understanding of where their water comes from and why water conservation is so important. 

“Once they learn about these concepts at the Marana Water Festival, they will take this information home and apply it there,” said Marana Water Director John Kmiec.

Kmiec noted that water conservation is always very important in Southern Arizona, but even more so with drought conditions impacting the Colorado River, from which Marana receives a lot of its water.

The students attended the event in two separate shifts and went through four different stations. Each station focused on a different aspect of the program and allowed the students hands-on activities to reinforce the ideas.

The volunteers at the event went through a training program to aid them in teaching the program’s lessons.

The Marana Water Festival is one of many Arizona Water Festivals. The hope is that they will  instill a deeper understanding of water in the earth system and Arizona’s water resources through a community water festival event, teacher professional development workshop, and extensive volunteer and community involvement.

Interstate 10 lane closures near Ina Road set for Nov. 17

Motorists on Interstate 10 near Ina Road should expect overnight lane closures the night of Saturday, Nov. 17.

Westbound I-10 is scheduled to be reduced to a single lane from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. between Orange Grove and Ina roads for paving.

This work is in addition to a previously announced lane closure on westbound I-10 scheduled between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 20.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. For more information, please call the ADOT Project Information Line at 855.712.8530 or email Projects@azdot.gov. For real-time highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT's Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except when driving.