Advisory board hears Estoso master-plan update after council directs desert garden, allocates $2 million

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on May 21 heard a departmental update from Ross on the Estoso (Stosa) Trails Nature Preserve master plan and the council’s funding direction. Ross said council allocated $2,000,000 for the project and attached four specifications for how the money should be used.

Ross told the board that the council’s funding included cart-path repairs “not to exceed $43,407,” safety signage “not to exceed $2,700,” a desert-garden plan for the former pond area including design, contingency and permitting “not to exceed $950,000,” and approximately $1,003,830 for restoration work on greens, tees and fairways. He said the town has posted a request for qualifications (RFQ) (issued May 15) and that staff will refine procurement provisions and scope with potential contractors.

“Council’s decision was … a desert garden in the former pond area including design contingency and permitting not to exceed $950,000,” Ross said, summarizing the action taken April 17. He added that council’s direction was driven in part by ecological and fiscal considerations and that the master-plan executive summary will be posted on the department’s website.

Board members pressed staff on details. One board member asked whether the $2,700 for signage would include directional signs; Ross said directional signage is intended but the small line item will limit options and staff will identify the most cost-effective markers. Another member asked whether the funding came from a specific account; Ross and Dave confirmed the allocation originates from the town’s general-fund receipts and will flow into the grants fund, with the possibility of combining the town’s seed funding with future grant matches.

Several members asked about the pond option. Ross said council voted for a no-water approach and that restoring a pond would require a new liner, removal of an existing bulkhead, and new metering—work he described as “astronomical” in cost compared with the desert-garden alternative. A board member noted the site carries an aquifer-protection permit and urged staff to consult the water utility on metering and long-term evaporative costs before final design decisions.

Ross told the board staff will continue short-term cart-path repairs using available funds while the RFQ process moves forward. The RFQ is intended to identify a designer/contractor to prepare final plans and permit-ready documents for council review and to manage construction if authorized.

What’s next: staff will review RFQ responses, refine budgets and design contingencies, and return to council with recommendations for final design and permitting. The board did not take a formal vote on Estoso at this meeting; council previously set the funding and directive that staff reported.