Maricopa County’s Parks and Recreation Department, the Bureau of Reclamation and multiple partnering agencies were very concerned about the illegal dumping, shooting and off-highway vehicle use at the Lake Pleasant Regional Park Agua Fria Conservation Area, which is located south of Table Mesa Road. During a clean-up in 2007, 32-tons of trash were removed from the area, and the dumping continued to be a problem. Illegal shooting was occurring and creating an unsafe environment. Irresponsible off-highway vehicle usage was causing damage to the desert and riparian areas in and near the park. All of this was very concerning to the agencies who manage the public lands in the area – especially since in 1995 multiple natural resource agencies, along with extensive input from the public, had identified this section of the park as a conservation area in the Lake Pleasant Regional Park Master Plan.
In order to ensure public safety and to protect the conservation area, the agencies agreed it was necessary to enforce the restriction on motorized vehicle use in the conservation area. On July 1, 2007, in accordance with the Park Rule R-107 and 1995 Park Master Plan, the agencies began enforcing the restriction on motorized vehicle use at the Agua Fria Conservation Area entrance. Park visitors may continue to fish, hike, bike and picnic in the conservation area. However, all supplies need to be carried into the site without the use of motorized vehicles.
The agencies encourage individuals who witness any illegal activity in the area to contact the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office at (602) 876-1011.
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