Glassford Dells Regional Park

Land was purchased in partnership with the City of Prescott and Yavapai County to preserve and protect our region's two greatest landmarks, the Granite Dells and Glassford Hill.

The intent is to develop a regional park for the enjoyment of natural open space, similar to that of our area's other parks, including Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Lynx Lake Recreation Area, and mountain preserves like Piestewa Peak in Phoenix.

Prescott Valley Citizens Alliance wholeheartedly supports the development of the Glassford Dells Regional Park in accordance with the terms of the intergovernmental agreement (IGA). We support a development approach that will prioritize park designs that insure the protection of property values, the preservation of natural open space, the aesthetics of the terrain, native vegetation, and the peace and tranquility of the area for residents and visitors. PVCA is opposed to the development of active recreation facilities that scar the hillside.

The open space on Glassford Hill should be preserved - not commercialized and exploited.

FROM THE REGIONAL PARK INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT (IGA) SIGNED BY PRESCOTT, PRESCOTT VALLEY AND YAVAPAI COUNTY:

"Section 2. PURPOSE. The purpose of this Agreement is to purchase identified Trust Land located on and near Glassford Hill within the boundaries of Prescott, Prescott Valley, and Yavapai County, and to fund, design, construct, and operate thereon various passive recreation facilities (including, but not limited to, public trails). " Read the entire IGA

FROM THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY:

Definition: "Passive Recreation Facilities"

Passive recreation refers to recreational activities that do not require prepared facilities like sports fields or pavilions. Passive recreational activities place minimal stress on a site's resources; as a result, they can provide ecosystem service benefits and are highly compatible with natural resource protection.

Source: https://semspub.epa.gov/work/11/174083.pdf

cONCEPTUAL PLANS for Glassford Hill

At the April 3, 2025, Town Council Study Session, the third version of Prescott Valley's design plans for Glassford Hill were presented to the community. Robert Kieren, Parks and Recreation Interim Director, explained that key responses from the community survey, conducted during Spring/Summer of 2024, were incorporated into the latest version of the proposed park design.

The Study Session Staff Report states, "The intent is to ensure a sustainable approach that based on careful environmental stewardship and thoughtful urban design that seamlessly integrates natural landscape with well-considered, community-focused design elements."

However, the Conceptual Design document depicts an abundance of constructed facilities that fall far short of that promise.

The proposal includes the construction of 8 towers for a ropes course, 18 baskets for a disc golf course, several splash pads, an amphitheater, a pump track, zipline, and more. With no vegetation to hide these constructed facilities, there is no way to seamlessly and sustainably integrate them into the landscape. Constructing these facilities certainly doesn't preserve the natural environment.

To finance this project, the Town is exploring a variety of funding sources, including grants, Development Impact Fees, general funds, and other financial opportunities.

The proposed active recreational facilities may certainly appeal to the general public. A park design of this type would serve the community better if placed in a more suitable location like the Agua Fria Park identified in the General Plan and funded in the capital improvement budget.

The goal of the Glassford Dells Regional Park project is to acquire land for natural open space, and to preserve one of the area’s most distinctive landmarks - Glassford Hill.

Let's set aside Glassford Hill as a mountain preserve like most innovative communities would do. The designated “regional” park can then continue to serve as a unique landmark for our community and be enjoyed by everyone, with passive hiking and biking, horseback riding, picnicking, and interpretive centers to celebrate its wildlife and natural beauty, now and in the future.

Let’s celebrate and preserve Glassford Hill, not tear it apart.

CONCEPTUAL PLANS | VERSION 3 | APRIL 2025

Additional Resources

Watch the Video

Do you know the history of Glassford Hill? Can you point out the cinder cone? Do you know how it got its name?

Watch this video to learn about the historic milestones associated with Glassford Hill. As we design the Regional Park, we are writing the next chapter in the history of Glassford Hill. Will we honor its history and preserve its natural elements for generations to come?

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