The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department celebrated the grand opening of new and upgraded amenities at Piestewa Peak Trailhead on Friday morning.

The grand opening included a ceremony with a ribbon cutting, a tribal blessing by the Gila River Indian Community, and statements from the Phoenix Mayor’s Office and Council District 6.

New improvements include renovated parking areas that are connected by a new 84-ton, 104-foot-long vehicle/pedestrian bridge that will improve traffic flow and access to trails.

Upgrading the parking lots resulted in the addition of 22 new parking spaces. This is sure to help traffic, considering Piestewa Peak is one of the most popular hiking areas in the Valley.

Hikers will now be able to benefit from six new restroom stalls, additional drinking fountains and a water bottle fill station, four new ramadas, two renovated ramadas, a new ranger station, as well as a new 60-foot-tall concrete and steel entry monument.

This project is part of a five-year infrastructure improvement plan for the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, which started in summer 2017. It is funded by the voter-approved Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative (PPPI).

Click here to learn more about Piestewa Peak.