Trailheads

Valley Rain had the opportunity to work with the City of Scottsdale to construct the most progressive desert trailhead project ever built in the southwest. The project clearly demonstrates Valley Rain’s competence to work in sensitive native environments.

Gateway Access Area is a recreational access point to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and is a visible statement of mountain and desert preservation in Scottsdale.  The Gateway illustrates how innovative design, careful construction and a community committed to sustainability can create a major trailhead while still respecting the environment.  It encompasses a broad range of amenities, including stabilized granite parking and trails, restrooms, rammed earth walls, water main distribution, automated entry gates, shade ramadas, a view terrace, ADA interpretive trails, interpretive signage, native plant relocation, rainwater collection and re-use, an amphitheater and equestrian facilities.  It also contains the Preserve Office with storage space and other infrastructure improvements.  The facility has earned the highest LEED designation of Platinum for its incorporation of environmentally sensitive methods.