Located south of Marana’s El Rio Preserve, the Pima County Los Morteros cultural resources site is currently receiving enhancements to improve the educational opportunities and recreation experience as a cultural resources park. Part of Pima County’s cultural preservation program, the Los Morteros site and two other properties were previously acquired to protect the cultural resources. At the time of purchase, protective fences were installed around the site with a single access gate on the southern boundary at Linda Vista Boulevard.
Phase two of work at the Los Morteros Conservation Area provided at-grade decomposed granite paths following the existing dirt trail throughout the site, interpretive signs at key locations on slab mounted bases to minimize disturbance, and a new northern pedestrian gate at Coachline Road. The new northern pedestrian gate connects to sidewalk and a crosswalk built by the Town of Marana. This links the Los Morteros Loop to the El Rio Preserve trailhead and the Chuck Huckelberry Loop. This project is a collaboration between the Pima County Flood Control District and the Pima County Office of Sustainability and Conservation, and the improvements were constructed by Hunter Contracting Co with a cultural resources monitor from Desert Archeology present throughout construction.
Review the “El Rio Recreation Area” map for perspective of the close proximity Los Morteros Conservation Area location. Patrons can park at our existing trailhead parking lot at the El Rio Preserve, walk across Coachline Road using the crosswalk, and enter the Los Morteros area to enjoy this pedestrian amenity.