Heritage is vital to Marana. It’s so important that Town Council made it one of five focus areas for Marana’s Strategic Plan more than three years ago. In May 2012, the Town took a large step toward ensuring that its history lives long into the 21st Century by purchasing 28 acres of state land on the site of the Heritage River Park. The Town leased the land located south of Gladden Farms for several years with the intention of eventually purchasing it. The Heritage River Park is envisioned as a place where Marana’s heritage is displayed through a demonstration farm, water features, marketplace and equine facilities. The property’s proximity to the multiuse path and Santa Cruz River also represents a tremendous opportunity. Marana has an amazing story to tell as a community and the park gives it an opportunity to do so in a unique way. The Town is working with the University of Arizona Drachman Institute to improve the existing master plan for the property. The Drachman Institute is a research and public service unit of The College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at The University of Arizona dedicated to the environmentally sensitive and resource-conscious development of neighborhoods and communities. That team’s work will be complete by the summer of 2013. In keeping with the Town’s Western heritage, plans include building an equestrian element at the park. The Western Heritage Arena has proven that people will travel many miles to attend horse shows and events. Those same visitors could also support the retail element Marana plans to incorporate in the park’s master plan. Marana’s commitment to heritage is stronger than ever and the Town looks forward to seeing the park grow and become an important element of the community.

Location:  12375 North Heritage Park Drive Size: 163 acres Park area map Amenities: Pole barn with grill and tables Community Food Bank Farm Access to Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail Access to Santa Cruz River Shared Use Path Comments? Contact: Amanda Jones Town Manager's Office (520) 382-1900

Drachman Institute Master Plan (approved February 2013)


Santa Cruz River Shared Use Path
As part of an integrated fully-linked trail system, the path is critical to providing visitors and residents an alternative mode of transportation for access to park amenities. Part of the Juan Bautista de Anza Historic Trail, the path features benches, bike racks, shade and lush desert landscaping accented by the adjacent Santa Cruz River riparian area. The path provides a safe ADA accessible trail for recreational purposes including walking, biking, and skating, access for birding, photography and other leisure activities without precluding equestrian access and an opportunity to highlight events as part of the Marana heritage experience.

Town of Marana technical team
Steve Cheslak, Planner
Jen Christelman, Engineering Division Manager
Tom Ellis, Parks and Recreation Director
Mac Murray, Capital Improvements Project Construction Manager
Kurt Schmidt, Capital Improvements Project Construction Manager
T VanHook, Community Development and Neighborhood Services Director

Marana Community Food Bank
The Town is proud to provide space at the park on which the Marana Community Food Bank will continue growing crops to help the less-fortunate in the area. For more information on the Food Bank, please visit http://communityfoodbank.com/get-involved/marana/

Park photos