News
South Mountain Park unveils new trail upgrades along the Foothills
Phoenix Parks & Rec wraps a months-long restoration of erosion-prone segments above Pecos Road, with widened switchbacks and new wayfinding.
By Jordan Reyes · May 7, 2026 · 4 min read
Ahwatukee Foothills at golden hour, South Mountain in the background
After eight months of work, the city has reopened a refurbished stretch of the Pima Canyon and National trails just north of Pecos Road. Crews rebuilt drainage, widened a notorious bottleneck near the saddle, and installed mile markers calibrated for trail runners and casual walkers alike.
Ahwatukee residents make up the largest share of weekday users on this side of South Mountain Park, according to a 2025 city survey. The improvements are designed to handle that load without further damaging the desert.
“This isn't a Disney-fication of the trail,” said parks supervisor Lena Ortiz. “We're just buying the mountain another decade.”
Original Ahwatukee — established Foothills, Custom Estates, condos near Pecos.
See active listings →
Western Ahwatukee — Club West, Equestrian Estates, Upper Canyon, Foothills Reserve.
See active listings →
Heart of the Foothills — Lakewood, Mountain Park Ranch, Foothills Club, Calabrea.
See active listings →
The Foothills Brief
Ahwatukee, in your inbox.
One email, every Friday morning. The week's news, this weekend's events, and a few homes worth a look.
By submitting this form you authorize Ryan Melville to contact you by phone, text, and email about your property and options. Consent is not a condition of any service. We never share or sell your information.