Public input wanted for Camelback parking options at Echo Canyon

PHOENIX - A public meeting will be held Thursday night to discuss parking expansion at Camelback Mountain's Echo Canyon Trail.

The city of Phoenix hired an engineering firm to conduct a study and make recommendations.  After a series of public meetings, five plans are now on the table.

The plans differ in the number of parking spots that would be added. For example, Exhibit 11 has the least, with a total of 68 parking spaces.  Exhibit 8 has the most, with a total of 154 spaces. 

Currently, there are 68 spaces available at the base of the trailhead.

Almost all of the proposals include a new parking lot near McDonald Drive and Echo Canyon Parkway.  A guard house, shuttle bus parking, new eight foot trail, and private access for Echo Canyon Estates residents are included in almost all of the architectural sketches.

A public input meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Devonshire Senior Center. The Parks and Recreation Department is hoping to move forward with a final recommendation, said Chris Ewell with the Parks and Recreation Department.

According to Ewell, $1.5 million have already been earmarked for the project. The money would come from sales tax funds. The cost of each plan is expected to be released at the meeting.

For more information, visit the city of Phoenix website.