Partnerships Division - Committees

Arizona State Committee on Trails (ASCOT)

The Arizona State Committee on Trails (ASCOT) serves in an advisory capacity the Arizona State Parks Board. The overall mission of the State Trails Program is to promote, develop, and preserve non-motorized trail opportunities throughout the state for mountain bikers, hikers, equestrians, and water trail users. State Parks staff works with ASCOT to:
1) advance and promote non-motorized trail use,
2) provide technical trails assistance,
3) promote trail management and development,
4) provide trails-related information and educational opportunities.

2008 MEETING DATES AND PLACES

ASCOT meets quarterly around the state. Public participation is encouraged at these meetings. Two meetings are held on a Friday and two meetings are held on a Saturday.

2008 Meeting Dates: 2/2, 5/2, 7/19, 10/4

Location: TBD

The ASCOT committee also serves on the The Recreational Trails Advisory Group which meets yearly in conjunction with OHVAG to discuss trails issues per Federal mandate.

ARIZONA STATE TRAILS SYSTEM

PURPOSE: Arizona's State Trails System is invaluable, offering a diversity of quality non-motorized trails that inspire people to experience the State's magnificent outdoor environment and cultural history.

The Arizona State Trails System has been established to recognize and promote non-motorized trails that are of special interest or significance to both Arizona's residents and visitors. These trails offer a wide variety of recreation opportunities. To provide for recognition of various trails, State Trail designations are categorized as Urban, Cross-State, Recreation, Interpretive, and Historic. A trail must be on the Arizona State Trails System in order for a trail to qualify for a Heritage Fund Grant. ASCOT plays a strong role in reviewing applications into the system and recommending their acceptance. The System currently consists of over 600 trails in every corner of the State.

CLICK HERE ( 916 KB PDF) for a list of the trails.

CLICK HERE ( 236 KB PDF) for the Arizona State Trails System Nomination Form for nonmotorized trails.

ASCOT monitors these trails to ensure they are maintained to the quality of the System.

HOW YOU CAN HELP MAINTAIN THE QUALITY OF ARIZONA'S TRAILS!

1. When you plan an outing on a trail in the Arizona State Trails System, take a copy of the Volunteer Trail Monitoring Form with you.
2. Review the form before you start out so you are familiar with the criteria that need your evaluation.
3. Enjoy your trail experience and make notes (written or mental) on your observations.
4. Complete the monitoring form and mail it to State Parks.


CLICK HERE ( 72 KB PDF) for the Monitoring Form

The Arizona State Trails Guide

ASCOT of the State Trails System included 102 trails and was called Diamond Jubilee. The 2nd edition, developed in 1989, was renamed Arizona State Trails Guide with the number of trails increasing to 263 trails. In 1995 the 3rd edition and our most popular Trail Guide included 452 trails. The fourth edition was published in 2004 and can be purchased from the Arizona State Parks Gift Shop. CLICK HERE FOR THE ARIZONA STATE PARKS GIFT SHOP PAGE. This guide is in high demand and is the most comprehensive trail guide for Arizona and includes all non-motorized trail user groups!


Conferences and Workshops:

ASCOT sponsors statewide trail workshops to bring together the trails community and share relevant trail information.

Some of our past workshops include:

1st State Trails Conference in 1990 - “Partnerships-On the Trail Together”
2nd Conference in 1992 - “Arizona Trails…Our Heritage…Our Future”
3rd Conference in 1995 - “Locking in the Legacy”
4th Conference in 2001 - “Trail Funding”
5th Conference in 2003 - “Managing Trails in Lean Times
6th Conference in 2004 - Trails for All People: ADA and Trails
7th Conference in 2005 - Volunteers: Helping Hands on the Land
In addition, in 1998 Arizona hosted the National Trails Symposium in Tucson.

ASCOT produced The Public Trail Access Manual: A Guide to the Protection of Arizona's Trails. Arizona was the first state to prepare a manual on saving public trail access and many other states have modeled their manuals after ours.

ASCOT 2008 MEMBERS

Don Applegate, BLM
Catherine Bradley, National Park Service
Maureen DeCindis, MAG
Anne Ellis, Arizona State University
Reba Wells Grandrud, Anza NHT, Old Spanish NHT, SW/OCTA
Mark Gullo,Flagstaff Biking Organization
Daye Halling, Citizen-at-Large
Jim Horton, Citizen-at-Large
Chris Hosking, City of Prescott
Vincent S. Murray, Arizona Historical Research
Sonia Overholser, IMBA
Douglas Potts,Tucson Audubon Society
Stephen Saway, Huachuca Hiking Club
Paul Schilke, US Forest Service
Charles Scully, Volunteers for Outdoor Arizona
Sonia Overholser, International Mountain Bike Association
Steve Saway, Huachuca Hiking Club
Charlie Scully, Volunteers for Outdoor Arizona
Linda Slay, Arizona State Horseman’s Association
Irene Smith, Citizen-at-Large
Kent Taylor, Citizen-at-Large
John Vuolo, Citizen-at-Large
Erik Wilson,City of Peoria
Bonnie Winslow, Citizen-at-Large

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