Volume 29 • Number 52 December 28, 2022
The Voice of Marana, Oro Valley and Northwest Tucson
www.explorernews.com
INSIDE
This Week
Horses may be allowed at Steam Pump Ranch one day
FEATURES.................. 14 Supervisors honor Chaffee's Jacobson House
BY HOPE PETERS Tucson Local Media Staff
S bond funding was to be earmarked for Naranja Park. The bond project also included community and recreation center tennis and pickleball court improvements, new irrigation for the El Conquistador golf courses, and extensions to the multiuse path system. The projects are anticipated to be completed over the next three years, while conceptual plans continue to be developed and finalized. Town staff presented the initial contractor estimated budget to council on Oct. 5, to which town
team Pump Ranch may one day be open to four-legged guests. During the Historic Preservation Commission’s Dec. 5 meeting, commissioner Nicole Casaus said Steam Pump Ranch could be used for livestock-related organizations. “There’s no secret that I love horses,” Casaus said. “There’s an entire community and culture within Oro Valley that is underserved.” Oro Valley has three 4-H groups that go elsewhere to participate in shows or activities because Oro Valley doesn’t have the proper facilities, she said. “These are our Oro Valley kids who are going elsewhere because Oro Valley is not pro livestock, pro equine,” Casaus said. “And that’s not the ask at this point, just an open mind to consider allowing our kids to come in to host these events.” Casaus said there are therapeutic riding
See PARKS Page 6
See PRESERVATION Page 5
SPORTS...................... 15 Softball league's Joe Kiser is leveling the playing fields
Construction will begin in January for Naranja Park’s new fields. (Town of Oro Valley Parks & Recreation/ Submitted)
Parks projects making headway in OV BY KATYA MENDOZA Tucson Local Media Staff
HEALTH...................... 16 Fungi is fabulous for maintaining everyday health CHOW.................................................. 10 LIVEN UP............................................ 11 FEATURES.......................................... 14 SPORTS............................................... 15 HEALTH.............................................. 16 PUZZLE/HOROSCOPES.................. 19 WORSHIP/CLASSIFIEDS................ 20
T
he town of Oro Valley has opened the walkway between the north and south soccer fields at Naranja Park, and the mass granding project is complete. Next month, crews will begin constructing fields five and six. Parks are a priority for the Oro Valley Town Council. In October 2021, it approved a $25 million municipal bond financing for various parks and recreation projects and at least half of the
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