Cave Creek accepts 10‑ft Morning Star trail easement, task force vows neighborhood outreach

The Town of Cave Creek voted to accept a 10‑foot non‑motorized trail easement along the Morning Star alignment and to abandon a 30‑foot right of way on the same parcel to make the lot more buildable for the owner.

Staff and members of the Morning Star trail task force described a line‑in‑the‑field alignment that connects to the Maricopa Trail and Spur Cross area and said the alignment had been verified with a surveyor. Task force and staff members emphasized low‑visibility, low‑impact construction methods and noted the parcel owner (the Purles) endorsed the idea though they were not in town for the meeting.

Task force members and volunteers called the easement a legacy project that will improve recreational access and emergency egress in the northern trail network; one volunteer noted the alignment will improve a situation where users previously had to walk long distances to exit the trail safely. Council accepted the easement and directed staff to schedule neighborhood outreach and to complete required design and contractor scheduling with a goal of finishing construction before December under the owner’s timeline.

The motion to accept the easement passed and staff said they will coordinate neighbor meetings and finalize construction plans, including a public kickoff when work is scheduled.